Acrodermatitis
Other names[edit | edit source]
Gianotti-Crosti syndrome
Clinical features[edit | edit source]
Gianotti Crosti syndrome (GCS) is a rare childhood skin condition characterized by a papular rash with blisters on the skin of the legs, buttocks, and arms.
Age of onset[edit | edit source]
It typically affects children between 9 months and 9 years of age.
Signs and symptoms[edit | edit source]
- Skin lesions typically last at least 10 days and often last for several weeks.
- The lesions are usually preceded by an underlying infection (usually a virus), which may cause associated symptoms such as low-grade fever, sore throat, or symptoms of an upper respiratory infection.
- When GCS is associated with hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr, or cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, acute hepatitis may also occur.
- GCS is thought to be a hypersensitive response to the underlying infection.
Cause[edit | edit source]
- While in many countries the underlying cause is hepatitis B, this is rarely the cause in North America.
- In Italian children, Gianotti-Crosti syndrome is seen frequently with hepatitis B. But this link is rarely seen in the United States.
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV, mononucleosis) is the virus most often associated with acrodermatitis.
Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]
- Gianotti Crosti syndrome (GCS) is thought to be due to a hypersensitive response to a previous infection.
- The underlying infection tends to correlate with the infectious agent endemic to a specific geographic region.
- For example, in Japan and Mediterranean countries, GCS is more commonly associated with hepatitis B virus infection.
- Since there is more universal use of hepatitis B immunization, Epstein-Barr virus is now the most common associated infection worldwide.
- GCS may also occur after coxsackievirus, infectious mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus, enterovirus infections, ECHO viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, or after vaccination with a live virus serum.
- In most cases, no laboratory tests are needed when a person is diagnosed with GCS.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
- GCS typically does not require treatment and goes away on its own within 1 to 3 months.
- In some cases, a mild topical steroid cream may be prescribed to relieve itching.
- Infections linked with this condition, such as hepatitis B and Epstein-Barr, are treated.
- Cortisone creams and oral antihistamines may help with itching and irritation.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The rash usually disappears on its own in about 3 to 8 weeks without treatment or complication. Associated conditions must be watched carefully.
Complications[edit | edit source]
Complications occur as a result of associated conditions, rather than as a result of the rash.
Other names[edit | edit source]
- Papular acrodermatitis of childhood;
- Infantile acrodermatitis;
- Acrodermatitis - infantile lichenoid;
- Acrodermatitis - papular infantile;
- Papulovesicular acro-located syndrome
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD