[Local cutaneous side effects of interferons].

UNDERESTIMATED SIDE EFFECTS: Skin reactions to interferon (INF) treatment are uncommon in the larger series in the literature and are usually considered to be minor. They account for 5 to 12% of adverse effects to IFN and are encountered increasingly in patients with active chronic hepatitis C. Reactions may be local, occurring exclusively at the site of injection, or general. REPORTED EFFECTS AND TREATMENTS: We reviewed the literature on local skin reactions at the site of injection of the different interferons to study the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and management schemes used. TWO TYPES OF REACTIONS: Local skin reactions can be divided into two types depending on the potential gravity and management. Minor reactions (transient erythema, eczema, depilation) have few clinical or therapeutic implications. More serious reactions, necrosis, vasculitis or injection can be potentially severe and require definitive interruption of treatment. PREVENTION: Preventive measures include careful education concerning self-injections using proper asepsia, variation of injection sites, and self-assessment of persistent skin reactions.