Sweet Syndrome, Sweet Disease Causes Dermatosis Skin Lesions

Sweet syndrome, some say Sweet disease, is a type of dermatosis. Dermatosis is a skin condition, distinguished from dermatitis because its absence of inflammation.

Also known as acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, Sweet syndrome causes painful skin lesions that predominantly breakout on your face, neck, back and arms.  Sweet’s disease lesions have the following distinct pattern of development.

Initially, small red bumps will suddenly appear.  These bumps quickly spread into erupting clusters.  The affected area may cause pain and burning, but not pruritus.

Your other signs and symptoms of Sweet syndrome may include:

Backs of your hand vasculitis can be an outcome as well.

Your “sweet” dermatosis skin lesions may persist for awhile (weeks, months) and then disappear without any skin health treatment.  And they rarely scar. However, treating your skin lesions will likely clear them up in just a few days.

The why for Sweet disease is often unknown. In some, it’s triggered by an immune system response to, or associated with, respiratory, GI or systemic infections, some types of cancer, certain medications or other serious health problems.

Sweet’s syndrome may occur in conjunction with:

Most often, Sweet syndrome comes after a respiratory infection. Usually you’ll encounter flu symptoms before Sweet’s rash emerges.

Although uncomfortable, Sweet syndrome isn’t typically a serious health concern. Yet, you should have it checked out because it can be an early warning for some other formidable health problem.

Routinely, Sweet disease treatment is a prescribed systemic corticosteroids (prednisone) medication.  As a rule, skin lesions and attendant symptoms improve within a couple of days.

Sweet syndrome primarily affects middle aged women, albeit not exclusively.  And it has a high frequency of recurrence.

« »


  • Categories