QUESTION: My daughter (33 years old) broke out with an extremely painful and ugly rash.
After all the tests and everything was checked, the doctors called it "Sweet's Syndrome".
Could you please elaborate on this, as no one seems to have much information as to why she has it and what causes it? Thank you.
ANSWER: Sweet's Syndrome originally described by the physician of that name in 1964, also goes by the more scientific name of "acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis".
It occurs mostly in women, usually coming on in middle age.
An infection precedes the eruption of painful plaques on the skin of the limbs face, and neck.
Later on they can change into a pus filled rash.
The cause is not well understood, but may be a reaction or hypersensitivity to the germ that caused the original infection.
Although antibiotics may be used to fight the infection, they are not effective in combatting the rash.
Steroids (cortisone-like medications) can help wipe out the rash for as long as they are taken.
The condition can last for 2 weeks or more before it runs its course, but relapses are frequent, although in each case it is usually preceded by another infection.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
