What Is Sweet's Syndrome?
Sweet’s syndrome is an inflammatory condition of the skin. Sudden onset of fever and skin rashes are its characteristic feature. This condition causes painful rashes on the skin of the arms, face, neck, chest, and trunk. Sweet’s syndrome is also known as febrile neutrophilic dermatosis. This condition can occur spontaneously or as a result of other conditions or medications. It could be caused by various medical conditions such as cancer, pregnancy, and gastrointestinal infections. It could also be caused due to various medications such as antibiotics and NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
The treatment for this condition is achieved through the use of steroids such as prednisone. Steroids may not cure the underlying condition, but it can help in reducing inflammation. A permanent cure can be achieved by resolving the underlying condition.
What Is the Occurrence of Sweet's Syndrome?
The occurrence of Sweet’s syndrome is very rare. To date, only several hundred cases have been reported. This condition most commonly affects middle-aged women. However, it may affect men and children as well. Sweet’s syndrome is more common in people with a specific genetic marker known as HLA-B54 (Human leucocyte antigen- B54).
What Are the Causes of Sweet's Syndrome?
The exact cause of this syndrome is unknown. However, the following may be some of the causes of Sweet’s syndrome:
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Respiratory Infection: Upper respiratory infections such as chest infections and throat infections can cause this condition.
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Sun Exposure: Exposure to the sun can cause inflammation of the skin leading to Sweet’s syndrome.
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Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Various inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis can an underlying factors for the occurrence of Sweet’s syndrome.
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Blood Diseases: Various conditions of the blood can act as a predisposing factor for the occurrence of Sweet’s syndrome, such as neutropenia, leukemia, and anemia.
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Cancer: Cancer can act as the predisposing factor for the occurrence of Sweet’s syndrome. This could be cancer of the bowel or the gastrointestinal tract.
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Pregnancy: Pregnancy can act as one of the important predisposition factors for the occurrence of Sweet’s syndrome.
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Medications: Various medications of, such as antibiotics, and NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), can be the underlying cause of this condition.
What Are the Symptoms of Sweet's Syndrome?
Sweet’s syndrome may occur once or may recur. It may be characterized by the following symptoms.
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Fever that could be moderate or high.
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The overall feeling of tiredness and malaise (feeling unwell).
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Red patches on the skin.
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Ulcers of the mouth.
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Pain in the joints.
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Headache.
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Sometimes other organs can also be affected, such as the bones, kidneys, nervous system, heart, lungs, and spleen.
How Do the Skin Lesions of Sweet's Syndrome Look?
Skin lesions of Sweet’s syndrome can be a few or many in number. These skin rashes can be painful upon touching. They may last for a few days or weeks. They are mostly seen on sun-exposed body regions such as the limbs, neck, and face. However, they are less commonly seen on the other parts of the body, such as mucosa. The skin rashes of Sweet’s syndrome can have the following range of appearances:
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Small blisters that may be filled with fluid (vesicles).
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They can occur as nodules or lumps on the skin.
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They can appear as flattened patches on the skin, known as plaques.
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The lesions may be ring-shaped, such as an annular ring.
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It may also appear as an erosion of the skin.
How Is Sweet's Syndrome Diagnosed?
Sweet’s syndrome can be diagnosed using symptoms of the patients, such as skin manifestations. However, this can become difficult at times as the skin symptoms are similar to many other conditions, such as chicken pox. In such situations, a skin biopsy may be performed to arrive at a diagnosis. The following are some of the diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of Sweet’s syndrome:
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Major Criteria:
1. Sudden onset of painful skin rashes on the sun-exposed regions such as the face and the neck.
2. Biopsy of the skin shows the presence of neutrophil, which is an inflammatory cell.
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Minor Criteria:
1. Sudden onset of febrile symptoms.
2. Painful joints.
3. Increased WBC (white blood cell) count.
4. Increased ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate).
5. Increases CRP (C-reactive protein) levels.
How Is Sweet's Syndrome Treated?
In many cases, sweet’s syndrome resolves on its own without any treatment. However, some patients may require a course of steroids such as prednisone for its management. Prednisone is a corticosteroid that helps in reducing the inflammation that is caused due to underlying factors. These drugs diminish irritation and control safe framework movement. Corticosteroids forestall tissue harm by bringing down degrees of white platelets and different pieces of the resistant framework that battle contaminations.
Assuming Sweet disorder has an underlying reason, one will get treatment for the hidden condition. Halting the prescriptions that cause side effects can ease drug-initiated sweet conditions.
What Is the Way Ahead?
For the vast majority, the rash and skin sores brought about by Sweet disorder mend without scarring. The skin might remain stained for quite some time after the side effects vanish. Since specialists do not know what causes the disorder, forestalling it is preposterous. For a great many people, the side effects of Sweet disorder resolve all alone or with clinical treatment. The side effects might keep going for weeks or months. Side effects might endure longer on the off chance that they result from a fundamental ailment or a prescription.
Conclusion
Sweet’s syndrome is one such condition that is of sudden onset. It may or may not be due to an underlying cause. It could be triggered by an infection, cancer, or pregnancy. They are characterized by skin rashes, fever, and joint pain. In many cases, this condition resolves without any treatment. In some conditions, they may require a biopsy to distinguish it from other conditions. However, most cases resolve when treated with corticosteroids. In case of any of the above symptoms, it is advisable to consult the physician at the earliest.
