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Reticulated erythematous patch on teenager’s foot

The Journal of Family Practice. 2014 September;63(9):537-539
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At first, there was no obvious cause for the lesion on this patient’s foot, which had slowly grown over 2 years. However, a more detailed history proved revealing.

 

An 18-year-old Caucasian male sought care for an ill-defined reticulated patch on his right plantar arch (FIGURE 1). The patient said that the lesion had gradually appeared 2 years earlier, had grown slowly, and was occasionally itchy. Physical exam revealed a lacy violaceous, hyperpigmented, reticulated patch that was blanchable and nontender to palpation.

Our patient denied having a history of trauma to the area or a coagulation or connective tissue disorder. The lesion didn’t vary with temperature or season, and there were no known triggers. The patient’s left plantar arch was unchanged.

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