Sweet’s Syndrome
DEFINITION
Sweet’s syndrome — also known as acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis — is a rare skin condition marked by fever and painful skin lesions that appear mainly on your arms, neck, face and back.
The exact cause of Sweet’s syndrome isn’t always known. In some people, it’s triggered by an infection, illness or certain medications. Sweet’s syndrome can also occur with some types of cancer.
The most common treatment for Sweet’s syndrome is corticosteroid pills, such as prednisone. Signs and symptoms often disappear just a few days after treatment begins, but recurrence is common.
CAUSES
In most cases, the cause of Sweet’s syndrome isn’t known. Sweet’s syndrome is sometimes associated with cancer, most often leukemia. A few cases may be associated with a solid tumor, such as breast or colon cancer. Sweet’s syndrome may also occur as a reaction to a medication — most commonly a type of drug that boosts production of white blood cells.
SYMPTOMS
Sweet’s syndrome is marked by an abrupt eruption of small red bumps on your arms, neck, face or back — often after a fever or upper respiratory infection. The bumps grow quickly in size, spreading into painful clusters up to an inch or so in diameter.
When to see a doctor
If you develop a painful, red rash that quickly grows in size, see your doctor for appropriate treatment.
