Acrodermatitis Continua - Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Other Name: Grover's Disease
Definition
Acrodermatitis Continua, is a rare temporary skin disorder that results in sudden onset of small, firm, raised red lesions on the skin mainly on the upper chest, back, lower sternum, arms, and thighs. It is also known as grover's disease.
It results in sweating or some unexpected heat stress. Small blisters with watery liquid are generally present on the skin areas. These blisters forms grouping and have a swollen red border around them. This leads to rashes on the skin which may lasts for weeks to month.It may results in itching which may be frequently occurring which is the case of most of the patient suffering from this disease.
It can occur at any age but generally affects males over the age of 50. It is much less common in women or younger people. It usually disappears within one to two years
Symptoms:-
.Some of the commonly appearing symptoms are:
- Grover's disease usually starts quite suddenly. It causes itchy spots on the central back, mid chest and occasionally elsewhere. Frequently, it follows sweating or some unexpected heat stress.
- There may be sign of unexpected heat stress or sweating.
- Symptoms of Grover's Disease are small, solid, raised bumps on the skin.
- separation of closely connected tissues in the skin's outer layers.
- Presence of recessed spots with a central hair. There is skin overgrowth formation above the blisters.
- The skin eruptions are found in groups having swollen and red border around them.
Causes:-
The important causes of grover's disease are as:-
- Cause of Grovers's disease is not known but it is thought that the disease is related to trauma to sun damaged skin.
- Probably the main cause is blocking of sweat ducts.
- Exposer to Extremes of temperature may also lead to Grovers's disease.
- Bed rest may trigger the disease.
Treatment:-
Treatment of Grover's Disease may include:
- The most important thing is to remain cool, as further sweating will induce more itchy spots.
- Treating with air conditioning sweat ducts get freed which seems to be the main cause.
- Moisturising creams are also helpful.
- There are creams like topical cortisone creams which mainly control minor outbreaks.
- Critical eruption usually clear up after taking Accutane or Tetracycline pills for one to three months.
- Avoid heat and heavy exercise
- Topical steroids may be useful.
- Isotretinoin and Dapsone are useful in some cases but rarely required.
- Tetracycline or itraconazole may helps some patients.
- Phototherapymay be helpful but generally provokes the disease.
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