Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesRisk FactorsTreatmentDiagnosisComplications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Risk Factors
Treatment
Diagnosis
Complications
Sweet syndrome (acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis) is a rare disorder that causes a sudden onset of a tender skin rash along with fever. It is categorized as classical, malignancy-associated, or drug-induced.
This article will discuss the symptoms of Sweet syndrome, what causes it, who is most at risk, how it is diagnosed and treated, and possible complications that can arise.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.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 © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Sweet Syndrome Symptoms
Sweet syndrome presents with a sudden onset ofskin lesionsthat can have a range of characteristics. These lesions may:
In Sweet syndrome, neutrophils accumulate in the dermis, but for some people, they can accumulate in the subcutaneous fat (fatty layer of tissue just below the skin).
Other symptoms of Sweet syndrome may include:
Sweet syndrome can also affect other organs, including:
The symptoms of Sweet syndrome may go away on their own, or they may persist for weeks or months if left untreated.
Classification of Sweet SyndromeSweet syndrome is classified into three clinical types.Classical:Associated with infection,irritable bowel disease, pregnancy, or may have no known causeMost common in women who are in middle adulthood (the terms for sex or gender from the cited source are used)Occurs in over 50% of casesMalignancy-associated:Associated most with blood cancers, especiallyacute myeloid leukemia, but can involve solid tumors, especially genital/urinary, breast, or gastrointestinalAccounts for about 25% of casesAffects all sexes equallyDrug-induced:Most associated with taking the medication granulocyte colony-stimulating factorMay also occur with other medications, such as minocycline, trimethoprim, carbamazepine, andoral contraceptives
Classification of Sweet Syndrome
Sweet syndrome is classified into three clinical types.Classical:Associated with infection,irritable bowel disease, pregnancy, or may have no known causeMost common in women who are in middle adulthood (the terms for sex or gender from the cited source are used)Occurs in over 50% of casesMalignancy-associated:Associated most with blood cancers, especiallyacute myeloid leukemia, but can involve solid tumors, especially genital/urinary, breast, or gastrointestinalAccounts for about 25% of casesAffects all sexes equallyDrug-induced:Most associated with taking the medication granulocyte colony-stimulating factorMay also occur with other medications, such as minocycline, trimethoprim, carbamazepine, andoral contraceptives
Sweet syndrome is classified into three clinical types.
Classical:
Malignancy-associated:
Drug-induced:
What Causes Sweet Syndrome?
The exact cause of Sweet syndrome is not known, but it may be associated with:
Often, no underlying condition is found.
Who Is Most at Risk for Sweet Syndrome?
Classical Sweet syndrome is up to 15 times more common in women than men. It typically affects women between the ages of 30 and 50, though it can affect people of any age or sex.
There is no apparent racial disparity.It appears to be more common in people who carry the HLA-B54genetic marker.
About one-third of people who experience classical Sweet syndrome will have a recurrence.
What Is VEXAS Syndrome?
How Do You Treat Sweet Syndrome?
Sweet syndrome may resolve without treatment, but this could take weeks to months.
In cases of malignancy-associated Sweet syndrome, treatment of the underlying cancer often resolves the symptoms from Sweet syndrome. With drug-induced Sweet syndrome, stopping the medication that is causing the issue can resolve the Sweet syndrome.
All forms of Sweet syndrome are typically treated with corticosteroids, such asmethylprednisoloneor prednisone. Symptoms can resolve quickly with this treatment.
Other first-line treatments includecolchicine(medication used to treat gout) and potassium iodide (a type of non-radioactive iodine).
Sweet syndrome may also be treated with medications such as:
How Is Sweet Syndrome Diagnosed?
To make a diagnosis of Sweet syndrome, your healthcare provider may:
Complications Associated With Sweet Syndrome
Sweet syndrome usually resolves without leaving a scar, but complications are possible. These may include:
Reports of fatalities from Sweet syndrome are uncommon.
Summary
Sweet syndrome is a rare condition that causes a tender rash due to neutrophils infiltrating the upper layer of skin and can cause a rise inwhite blood cells. It can also cause other symptoms, such as a fever, aching joints, headache, feeling unwell, and sore eyes.
Sweet syndrome may be associated with an underlying cause, such as an infection, pregnancy, or illness, or it may have no known cause.
This condition is classified into three types. Classic Sweet syndrome affects mostly women in their 30s to 50s. Malignancy-associated is associated with cancer, particularly blood cancers. Drug-induced is associated with taking certain medications, especially granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.
Sweet syndrome is usually treated with corticosteroids, but other medications may be used. The condition usually clears without issue, but recurrences are common. Complications such as lasting pigmentation marks may occur.
7 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.Mollaeian A, Roudsari H, Talebi E.Sweet’s syndrome: a classical presentation of a rare disease.Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports. 2019;7:232470961989516. doi:10.1177/2324709619895164Australasian College of Dermatologists.Sweet’s syndrome.Villarreal-Villarreal CD, Ocampo-Candiani J, Villarreal-Martínez A.Sweet syndrome: a review and update.Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2016;107(5):369-378. doi:10.1016/j.adengl.2016.05.021DermNet.Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Sweet syndrome.The Primary Care Dermatology Society.Sweet’s syndrome (syn. acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis; Gomm-Button disease).Anzalone CL, Cohen PR.Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweetʼs syndrome).Current Opinion in Hematology. 2013;20(1):26-35. doi:10.1097/moh.0b013e32835ad132
7 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.Mollaeian A, Roudsari H, Talebi E.Sweet’s syndrome: a classical presentation of a rare disease.Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports. 2019;7:232470961989516. doi:10.1177/2324709619895164Australasian College of Dermatologists.Sweet’s syndrome.Villarreal-Villarreal CD, Ocampo-Candiani J, Villarreal-Martínez A.Sweet syndrome: a review and update.Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2016;107(5):369-378. doi:10.1016/j.adengl.2016.05.021DermNet.Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Sweet syndrome.The Primary Care Dermatology Society.Sweet’s syndrome (syn. acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis; Gomm-Button disease).Anzalone CL, Cohen PR.Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweetʼs syndrome).Current Opinion in Hematology. 2013;20(1):26-35. doi:10.1097/moh.0b013e32835ad132
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.
Mollaeian A, Roudsari H, Talebi E.Sweet’s syndrome: a classical presentation of a rare disease.Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports. 2019;7:232470961989516. doi:10.1177/2324709619895164Australasian College of Dermatologists.Sweet’s syndrome.Villarreal-Villarreal CD, Ocampo-Candiani J, Villarreal-Martínez A.Sweet syndrome: a review and update.Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2016;107(5):369-378. doi:10.1016/j.adengl.2016.05.021DermNet.Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Sweet syndrome.The Primary Care Dermatology Society.Sweet’s syndrome (syn. acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis; Gomm-Button disease).Anzalone CL, Cohen PR.Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweetʼs syndrome).Current Opinion in Hematology. 2013;20(1):26-35. doi:10.1097/moh.0b013e32835ad132
Mollaeian A, Roudsari H, Talebi E.Sweet’s syndrome: a classical presentation of a rare disease.Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports. 2019;7:232470961989516. doi:10.1177/2324709619895164
Australasian College of Dermatologists.Sweet’s syndrome.
Villarreal-Villarreal CD, Ocampo-Candiani J, Villarreal-Martínez A.Sweet syndrome: a review and update.Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2016;107(5):369-378. doi:10.1016/j.adengl.2016.05.021
DermNet.Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Sweet syndrome.
The Primary Care Dermatology Society.Sweet’s syndrome (syn. acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis; Gomm-Button disease).
Anzalone CL, Cohen PR.Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweetʼs syndrome).Current Opinion in Hematology. 2013;20(1):26-35. doi:10.1097/moh.0b013e32835ad132
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