Multiple Granulation Tissues during Acitretin Therapy

Abstract

Acitretin, the principal and free acid metabolite of etretinate, is used to treat patients with several types of psoriasis. The common side effects encountered with acitretin therapy are cheilitis, conjunctivitis, xerosis, dryness of the nasal mucosa with minor nosebleeds, pruritis, and desquamation of the palms and soles. Granulation tissue is a well recognized side effect of oral acitretin. This reaction is characterized by ulceration, hemorrhagic crusting and excess granulation tissue. It occurs between the third and 12th weeks of therapy, most commonly affects the hands and feet. We present a case of multiple granulation tissues associated with acitretin therapy.