Gianotti-Crosti syndrome

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome, or papular acrodermatitis of childhood, is an unusual, distinctive, but harmless rash. It usually is not associated with any other symptoms with the exception of low grade fever and malaise. It is usually seen in younger children - toddlers or early preschoolers.

The rash consists of many identical appearing, firm, 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 solid, and do not contain any fluid. The rash chiefly involves the arms and legs, buttocks and face. The trunk and the scalp are generally spared.

The rash appears following a number of different viral infections. The first cases were described in Italy following an epidemic of hepatitis B, but the disease does not seem to be associated with that infection in the United States.

The rash disappears in 15-60 days. There is no known treatment known or necessary to make it disappear any faster. It has occurred in epidemics, but most cases are sporadic, so there it is not contagious per se and therefore there is no incubation period.

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