Home Conditions Darier Disease

Medical Marijuana: is it a Possible Option for Darier’s Disease?

by Sarah Walker

March 10, 2020 01:00 pm ET Estimated Read Time: 9 Minutes

Medically reviewed by Dr. Abraham Benavides Fact checked by Kymberly Drapcho

1. How Medical Cannabis Helps the Skin
2. Transient Receptor Potential Channels and Darier’s Disease
3. Medical Cannabis for Darier’s Related Medical Conditions
4. Medical Cannabis Patients with Darier’s Disease: Important Considerations
5. Understanding Darier’s Disease and Types
   1. Classic Darier’s Disease
   2. Segmental or Linear Darier’s Disease
   3. Acrokeratosis Verruciformis of Hopf
   4. Acral Hemorrhagic Darier’s Disease

Darier’s disease (DD), also known as Darier-White disease, dyskeratosis follicularis, and keratosis follicularis, is a difficult genetic condition for those who have it. It typically shows up in adolescents or young adults and is characterized by periods of clear skin followed by flare-ups of wart-like blemishes on the body (35). Changes in humidity, heat, ultraviolet (UV) light, and friction or injuries to the skin can cause flare-ups (39). 

DD is primarily characterized by hyperpigmented spots that are greasy and chronic itching called pruritus. Because the barrier of the skin is damaged, it can lead to bacterial infections of the skin. The pigmented spots are often greasy papules on the skin (1). Occasionally the papules or blisters can lead to lesions or skin ulcers.

Through a lot of research studies, medical cannabis has proven to be a strong potential treatment for a variety of skin conditions including acne, psoriasis, epidermolysis bullosa, skin cancer, and xeroderma pigmentosum. 

We now know that treating the skin with cannabis, including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), begins with its ability to interact with our bodies partly due to the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a bodily system that we all have. It consists of fat-based neurotransmitters called that are activated by cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 that are found all over our bodies. These neurotransmitters, including anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), can be increased or decreased when the ECS is activated. This is responsible for a variety of processes in our body including modulating inflammation, how we perceive pain, and helping our body maintain its optimal temperature and operating state called homeostasis.

How Medical Cannabis Helps the Skin

There is a lot of current research that suggests that the skin contains large levels of endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors. Research shows that the main type of skin cell called keratinocytes contains both CB1 and CB2 receptors (3). This is important because, in patients with DD, the keratinocytes are unable to properly stick together, which causes faults in the skin barrier and can allow infections (9) (12). 

Cannabinoids have also been shown to exert immunosuppressive properties by blocking leukocyte proliferation, inducing cellular death of T-cells and macrophages, and reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (30). A case study focusing on a patient with DD that was complicated by a dangerous herpes simplex virus worsened by the ability of cannabinoids to reduce immune system function to fight off the infection. Cannabinoids in this case study were shown to impair the immune system’s response to the proliferating herpes virus and actually mediated the reactivation of the virus. Thus cannabinoid abuse, in this case, resulted in a life-threatening infection by decreasing immune cell function. These results can also be seen in cases of the herpes simplex virus that were not complicated by DD (13).

There are also cannabinoid receptors in melanocytes (cells that produce melanin or pigment) as well as in nerve fibers of the skin, sweat glands, sebaceous glands that produce oil, and hair follicles (3). Research from The Journal of Clinical Investigation shows that CBD is good at inhibiting or slowing down excess oil production in sebocytes (oil glands of the skin) as well as causing the irregular cells the ability to die, which decreases infections relating to acne in the skin (40). CBD’s ability to impact sebocytes may also be important for DD and other skin disorders that result from excess oil production. CBD also helps moisturize the skin which reduces itching.

Transient Receptor Potential Channels & Darier’s Disease

In addition to targeting cannabinoids receptors of the skin, endocannabinoids also target the receptors of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels (3). TRP receptors are typically located on sensory nerve fibers in the body, including on the skin and in joint tissues (21). They are also responsible for the formation and maintenance of the skin barrier and serve immunological functions as well as help reduce inflammation in the skin. TRP receptors are a major target for cannabinoid research in DD and calcium is important for normal functions of and promoting changes in keratinocytes in various layers of the skin. 

Research shows that activation of TRPV receptors and TRPC6 receptors play a role in calcium influx in keratinocytes (12) (23). TRP receptors also play a role in reducing itching as well as pain (12). Some researchers also believe that TRPC1 receptors play a role because they show an increased expression in DD patients. They believe that increased TRPC1 reduces cellular death in abnormal keratinocytes, or that maybe TRPC1 receptors are simply upregulated as a compensation method for the decreased functionality of SERCA2 in these patients (24) (25). 

Medical Cannabis for Darier’s Related Medical Conditions 

Darier’s disease has been linked to other medical conditions that may potentially be eased by medical cannabis. These conditions include (31):

• Epilepsy 
• ADHD 
• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Melanoma (Skin cancer) 
• Salivary gland disorders 
• Kidney Diseases 
• Heart failure (2)

Medical Cannabis Patients with Darier’s Disease: Important Considerations

Despite all the research relating to keratinocytes, TRP receptors, and sebaceous glands regarding the activation of the endocannabinoid system, dermatologists do not yet have enough data to recommend using cannabis and cannabinoid topical products for the skin (18). Utilizing these products for Darier’s disease is at your own risk.

Before beginning the use of medical cannabis, including topical lotions and creams, it is important to reach out to your dermatologist that is responsible for treating your case. Medical marijuana can interact with other medications you may be taking and may cause issues with some dermatological procedures. 

It is important to note that patients who have DD have a higher risk for heart failure and other heart problems because of the genetic issues this population has to calcium regulation in the body (2). Side effects of cannabis use can also increase the risk of tachycardia and other heart issues. It also includes the possibility of reactivating latent HSV and causing a more severe infection due to cannabis’ immune-suppressing effects. Be advised that oral retinoids are the mainstay of treatment in Darier’s disease, and be sure to follow the advice of your doctor.

If you do decide that you would like to try using medical cannabis for Darier’s disease, it is important to understand how to purchase safe cannabinoid products from a dispensary. Please check out our CBD guide for more information on how to pick out safe products. 

Understanding Darier’s Disease & Types

Darier’s disease or keratosis follicularis is considered a genetic skin disorder. It is caused by mutations in the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase gene (ATP2A2) that is responsible for producing an enzyme called SERCA2 (35). This enzyme is important because it helps control the levels of calcium ions inside the cells in our body. Calcium is essential for cells to function properly and the SERCA2 enzyme allows calcium to pass in and out of cells in response to cellular signals.

In patients with Darier’s disease, they do not produce enough of the SERCA2 enzyme that is needed to control calcium. Strangely, this imbalance shows up as blemishes in the skin even though SERCA2 is used throughout our bodies (35). Some researchers believe that this genetic mutation shows up in the skin because skin cells do not have a backup enzyme to help influence calcium moving in between the cells. Keratocytes, skin cells that are responsible for producing keratin, typically stick together during the formation of the skin barrier via structures called desmosomes, but these structures do not work assemble properly if there is not enough calcium, which allows for defects in the skin that can let in bacteria or herpes simplex viruses (9).

There are several subtypes of Darier’s, most very rare, including, but not limited to (1): 

Classic Darier’s Disease

The level symptoms of classic Darier’s can be mild where symptoms are difficult to notice, or they can be severe depending on the individual (9). The severity of the disease can change over time as many patients experience flare-ups that cause the skin symptoms to worsen. The papules are usually scaly and greasy and can affect oily areas of the face, the scalp, neck, central chest, the back, and can appear in skin folds such as the groin, under the breasts, and in the armpits. The papules may form a yellow crust, like seborrheic dermatitis, a type of eczema.

Segmental or Linear Darier’s Disease

This form of Darier’s is characterized by blemishes on localized areas of the skin, instead of being widespread as in other forms of the disease (39). Some patients with this form also experience abnormalities in their nails, but unlike the classic form, these abnormalities only occur on one side of the body. 

The linear form is also not inherited and is due to acquired mutations in the DNA (39). This means that genetic changes from environmental factors such as UV damage, exposure to harsh chemicals, or carcinogens are to blame rather than being born with mutations of the ATP2A2 gene.

Acrokeratosis Verruciformis of Hopf

This type of Darier’s disease is caused by an inherited defect in the ATP2A2 gene (8). This inherited disorder occurs when a parent passes on a defective ATP2A2 gene to a child. The child needs to only have one ATP2A2 inherited defect to show symptoms, thus has a 1 and 2 chance of inheriting it if a parent also has acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf. 

It is characterized by grouped or isolated papules on the knees, elbows, and forearms. Patients can also have pits on the palms of the hands and the soles of their feet (8). These patients also tend to have deformities of their fingernails and toenails where the nails look pearly white or have vertical ridges.

Acral Hemorrhagic Darier’s Disease

The Acral hemorrhagic form of Darier’s is extremely rare with only around 20 cases being reported as of 2017 (14). It is characterized by red and bloody-looking blisters intermixed with the typical papules of Darier’s disease in severe cases.

Note: Veriheal does not intend to give this as professional medical advice. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or prescribe treatment based on the information provided on this page. Always consult a physician before making any decision on the treatment of a medical condition.