Dermatological reactions to lithium: a critical review of the literature

This article reviews clinical reports of dermatological reactions to lithium. Such reactions include maculopapular, acneiform, and follicular eruptions, psoriasis, and other manifestations. Standard psychiatric texts offer the psychiatrist little information concerning the prevalence or seriousness of these reactions, nor do they discuss the effectiveness of various treatment alternatives. More surprisingly, most dermatology texts do not even describe skin reactions to lithium. Dermatological reactions to lithium may occur more commonly than previously documented, but with the exception of some psoriatic cases, management without the need for lithium discontinuation is usually possible.