SWEET SYNDROME

Overview and Facts

Sweet syndrome is a rare and recurring inflammatory skin condition that can happen during an illness, infection or after the use of certain medications. However, its major cause is still unknown. The main signs of this condition are fever and painful skin lesions that affects mostly the head, arms, trunk and neck.

Sweet syndrome is also known as an acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis. The treatment for this condition include corticosteroid pills such as prednisone to reduce inflammation.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

Sweet syndrome needs immediate treatment to avoid other health problems and  to relieve pain.

Signs and symptoms of Sweet syndrome includes:

  • Discoloration of skin
  • Fever
  • Feeling of being unwell
  • Muscle and joint pain, headache, and fatigue
  • Painful red bumps or small skin lesions filled with pus on the arms, legs face or neck
  • Skin and mouth lesions (sores or tumors)

 

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

After your dermatologist performs a physical examination, he or she will suggest the following tests to rule out the real cause of your Sweet syndrome.

  • Blood tests.Your blood will be tested to examine white blood cells and to check for certain blood disorders
  • Skin biopsy.A small piece of affected tissue will be examined

TREATMENT

To speed up the healing process of Sweet syndrome, certain medications are needed. However, this condition may go away on its own without treatment.

Sweet’s syndrome can be treated by corticosteroids, which come in a variety of forms, including:

  • Oral corticosteroids such as prednisone work very well but may have side effects
  • Creams or ointments.A convenient form of medication that is is applied in the affected areas of the skin
  • A small amount of corticosteroid is injected directly to the affected area of the skin where the lesion is visible

Corticosteroids ate not intended for long-term administration . Your doctor may prescribe some alternative medications which may include:

  • Dapsone
  • Potassium iodide
  • Colchicine

 

 

 

 

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