Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsAppearanceDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Appearance
Diagnosis
Treatment
Gianotti-Crosti syndrome, also known as papular acrodermatitis of childhood, is askin rashthat typically affects infants and young children. In addition to a rash on the arms, legs, buttocks, and face, Gianotti-Crosti syndrome may cause flu-like symptoms and a general feeling of malaise.
This article covers everything readers need to know about the condition.
What Causes Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome?
Viruses that can lead to Gianotti-Crosti syndrome include:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
What Are the Symptoms of Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome?
The symptoms of Gianotti-Crosti syndrome are more likely to appear in the spring and summer months. They usually take around four days to develop and ultimately persist for four to eight weeks.
Typical symptoms include:
What Does a Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome Rash Look Like?
Gianotti-Crosti syndrome causes patches of red, brown, or dark purple papules to crop up on the legs, arms, buttocks, and face.The papules—typically up to 10 millimeters (mm) in diameter—are not filled with pus, but they may develop into blood- or water-filledblistersover time.
Some may look like strings of bumps arranged in lines. They can be either flat or raised.
The rash will be symmetrical, meaning that it will look similar on both sides of the body. Some people with Gianotti-Crosti syndrome may develop a rash on the soles of their feet or palms of their hands, but the condition never causes a skin rash on the trunk of the body (i.e., the chest, stomach, or back).
How Is Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome Diagnosed?
How Is Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome Treated?
Usually, Gianotti-Crosti syndrome resolves on its own over time. The rash should fade within a few weeks (typically up to three), while enlarged lymph nodes could persist for several months.
Topical medications, such asantihistaminesorcortisone creams, could be applied to the skin to reduce inflammation, irritation, and/or itching if necessary. Your child may need to be treated for any underlying viral infection, such as hepatitis B or EBV.
Summary
Gianotti-Crosti syndrome usually fades on its own with time. If your child develops potential symptoms, seek help from a healthcare provider to make a firm diagnosis and rule out any other conditions.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DermNet NZ.Papular acrodermatitis of childhood.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences - Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Gianotti Crosti syndrome.MedlinePlus.Gianotti-Crosti syndrome.Swali RN, Lee EB, Adams JL.Gianotti-crosti syndrome in the setting of recent coronavirus disease-19 infection.Pediatr Dermatol. 2021;38(3):629-631. doi:10.1111/pde.14518American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Gianotti-Crosti syndrome.MedlinePlus.Gianotti-Crosti syndrome on the leg.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DermNet NZ.Papular acrodermatitis of childhood.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences - Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Gianotti Crosti syndrome.MedlinePlus.Gianotti-Crosti syndrome.Swali RN, Lee EB, Adams JL.Gianotti-crosti syndrome in the setting of recent coronavirus disease-19 infection.Pediatr Dermatol. 2021;38(3):629-631. doi:10.1111/pde.14518American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Gianotti-Crosti syndrome.MedlinePlus.Gianotti-Crosti syndrome on the leg.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
DermNet NZ.Papular acrodermatitis of childhood.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences - Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Gianotti Crosti syndrome.MedlinePlus.Gianotti-Crosti syndrome.Swali RN, Lee EB, Adams JL.Gianotti-crosti syndrome in the setting of recent coronavirus disease-19 infection.Pediatr Dermatol. 2021;38(3):629-631. doi:10.1111/pde.14518American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Gianotti-Crosti syndrome.MedlinePlus.Gianotti-Crosti syndrome on the leg.
DermNet NZ.Papular acrodermatitis of childhood.
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences - Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Gianotti Crosti syndrome.
MedlinePlus.Gianotti-Crosti syndrome.
Swali RN, Lee EB, Adams JL.Gianotti-crosti syndrome in the setting of recent coronavirus disease-19 infection.Pediatr Dermatol. 2021;38(3):629-631. doi:10.1111/pde.14518
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Gianotti-Crosti syndrome.
MedlinePlus.Gianotti-Crosti syndrome on the leg.
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