Acrodermatitis

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Acrodermatitis

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome on the leg

Hepatitis B

Acrodermatitis is a childhood skin condition that may be accompanied by mild symptoms of fever and malaise. It may also be associated with hepatitis B and other viral infections.

Papular acrodermatitis of childhood; Gianotti-Crosti syndrome; Acrodermatitis - infantile lichenoid; Acrodermatitis - papular infantile; Papulovesicular acro-located syndrome

The cause of acrodermatitis is poorly understood, but its link with other infections is well documented. The lesions of acrodermatitis appear as small coppery-red, flat-topped firm papules  (bumps) that appear in crops and sometimes in long lines.

The lesions are often symmetric (equal on both sides) and appear on the face, arms, legs, and buttocks. This is one of the few rashes that may also appear on the palms and soles. Generalized enlargement of the lymph nodes and liver may be seen.

In Italian children, acrodermatitis is seen frequently with hepatitis B, but this link is rarely seen in the USA. In addition to hepatitis B, acrodermatitis has also been associated with Epstein-Barr virus infections (EBV, mononucleosis), cytomegalovirus, coxsackie viruses, parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and some live virus vaccines.

Review Date: 07/22/2005
Reviewed By: Jonathan Kantor, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.