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Small plaque parapsoriasis
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Small plaque parapsoriasis

Contributors: Michael Lazarus BA, Jacob Tribble MD, Catherine Chung MD, Susan Burgin MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Small plaque parapsoriasis (SPP) is an uncommon cutaneous disorder of unknown etiology that is characterized by scaly lesions that clinically resemble psoriasis.

SPP most commonly occurs in middle-aged and older adults, but children are also affected. There is a 3:1 predilection for males, and the condition spans all racial / ethnic groups and geographic regions.

The disease course is indolent and typically chronic, presenting with small, scaly patches that progress or wax and wane over months to years. Lesions are usually asymptomatic or can be mildly pruritic.

The medical literature is replete with debate on the possible transformation of SPP into mycosis fungoides, but it is generally believed that SPP is benign. Patients with SPP who are later found to have mycosis fungoides were likely initially misdiagnosed as SPP.

Codes

ICD10CM:
L41.3 – Small plaque parapsoriasis

SNOMEDCT:
23854007 – Small plaque parapsoriasis

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Last Reviewed:02/24/2026
Last Updated:02/24/2026
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Small plaque parapsoriasis
A medical illustration showing key findings of Small plaque parapsoriasis : Erythema
Clinical image of Small plaque parapsoriasis - imageId=322267. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'A close-up of numerous thin, scaly, pink, and light brown papules and plaques.'
A close-up of numerous thin, scaly, pink, and light brown papules and plaques.
Copyright © 2026 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.