Erythema toxicum neonatorum

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Erythema toxicum neonatorum
Classification and external resources
ICD-10 L53.0, P83.1
ICD-9 695.0, 778.8
DiseasesDB 4458
MedlinePlus 001458
eMedicine derm/139 ped/697

Erythema toxicum neonatorum[1] (also known as "Erythema toxicum,"[1] and "Toxic erythema of the newborn"[1]) is a common rash in neonates.[2]:139[3] It appears in up to half of newborns carried to term, usually between day 2-5 after birth.

Erythema toxicum is characterized by blotchy red spots on the skin[citation needed] with overlying white or yellow papules or pustules.[4] These lesions may be few or numerous. The eruption typically resolves within a few days.

Contents

[edit] Cause

The cause of erythema toxicum is unknown.

Hypersensitivity to detergents in bedsheets and clothing is sometimes suspected, but the connection remains unproven.

It is thought to be a benign condition that causes no discomfort to the infant. The rash will generally disappear spontaneously in about 2 weeks.

[edit] Presentation

The rash is composed of small papular lesions, each on a separate reddened base.

[edit] Diagnosis

At times the appearance can raise concern that the rash could be due to herpes simplex; however, the latter generally has a more clustered and vesicular appearance.

In uncertain cases, a scraping of a lesion can be done and the fluid examined under the microscope. Herpes lesions will have a positive direct fluorescent antibody test. The fluid from erythema toxicum lesions will show many eosinophils.

[edit] Treatment

Because the eruption is transient and self-limiting, no treatment is indicated

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. ISBN 1-4160-2999-0. 
  2. ^ James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.
  3. ^ Berg FJ, Solomon LM (April 1987). "Erythema neonatorum toxicum". Arch. Dis. Child. 62 (4): 327–8. doi:10.1136/adc.62.4.327. PMC 1778345. PMID 3592724. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1778345. 
  4. ^ "erythema toxicum" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary

[edit] External links


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