Gianotti-Crosti syndrome Detailed Information

Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome is a rare skin disease affecting children between the ages of nine months and nine years. More than 90% of patients are younger than 4 years. In children, males and females are similarly affected. Main symptoms may comprise blisters on the skin of the legs, buttocks and arms. The disorder is usually preceded by a viral infection. The specific viruses causing Gianotti-Crosti syndrome include hepatitis b infection, Epstein Barr virus, enter virus infections, echo viruses and respiratory syncytial virus.

The distribution of the disease is worldwide, with cases reported in Great Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Russia, Turkey, India, Hong Kong, China, and Japan. The rash consists of lots of identical appearing, firms, non-itching, dusky red flat-topped papules (bumps). These vary in size from 1-5 mm in diameter, and can cover the arms and legs quite thickly. They are hard, and do not hold any fluid. The rash chiefly involves the arms and legs, buttocks and face. The trunk and the scalp are generally spared. The rash disappears in 15-60 days. There is no known treatment known or essential to make it disappear any earlier.

It has arisered in epidemics, but most cases are infrequent, so there it is not contagious per se and therefore there is no incubation period. There is no exact treatment. Systemic treatment with antihistamines has been fairly helpful in relieving pruritus. Education and reassurance are generally sufficient for concerned parents. Some children may need general supportive and symptomatic care for the related viral or streptococcal infection. Application of soothing, anti-itch topical preparations with menthol, colloidal oatmeal, or pramoxine in conjunction with oral antihistamines may be helpful for relief of pruritus.