Cutaneous manifestations connected with HCV infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been linked with many dermatological conditions which may be even the first clinical sign of the viral infection. Among these conditions, only mixed cryoglobulinemia and sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda have a statistically significant association with HCV and require to be routinly screened for HCV infection. Serological HCV markers should also be searched for in lichen planus, though the association of the later with HCV infection is still controversial. The relationship of HCV with other dermatological conditions is still to be proven. Dermatologists should also be aware of the cutaneous side effects of interferon therapy of HCV hepatitis.