Korean J Dermatol.  2008 Aug;46(8):1061-1064.

A Case of Plasma Cell Cheilitis Treated with Topical Pimecrolimus

• Shin H
• Kang MS
• Ko JY
• Ro YS

Abstract

Plasma cell cheilitis is a rare, idiopathic, benign inflammatory disease of lips, characterized by dense plasma cell infiltrates in the upper dermis. It presents as erythematous patches with erosion usually on the lower lip of elderly people. Although, various therapeutic options, including topical steroids, intralesional injection of glucocorticoids, oral nystatin and topical antibiotics have been tried, none of them is promising. A 68-year-old woman presented with a 4-month history of erosive patches with crusts on her lower lip, which was resistant to topical corticosteroids. A histopathologic examination revealed dense inflammatory cell infiltration mainly consisting of plasma cells in the dermis, consistent with plasma cell cheilitis. She was treated with topical pimecrolimus and after 2 weeks of application, the lesion started to get better. After 7 weeks it had almost disappeared. Herein, we present a case of plasma cell cheilitis treated with topical application of pimecrolimus.

Keyword

Pimecrolimus; Plasma cell cheilitis

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Aged
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Cheilitis
Dermis
Female
Glucocorticoids
Humans
Injections, Intralesional
Lip
Nystatin
Plasma
Plasma Cells
Steroids
Tacrolimus
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Glucocorticoids
Nystatin
Steroids
Tacrolimus