Erythema toxicum neonatorum: Difference between revisions
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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. |
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. |
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Frequently concerning to parents who need reassured that this is a normal condition of the neonate. TBTG |
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==Presentation== |
==Presentation== |
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Revision as of 14:49, 29 June 2011
| Erythema toxicum neonatorum | |
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| Specialty | Pediatrics  |
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.
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. Frequently concerning to parents who need reassured that this is a normal condition of the neonate. TBTG
Presentation
The rash is composed of small papular lesions, each on a separate reddened base.
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.
Treatment
Because the eruption is transient and self-limiting, no treatment is indicated
References
- ^ 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.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.
- ^ Berg FJ, Solomon LM (1987). "Erythema neonatorum toxicum". Arch. Dis. Child. 62 (4): 327–8. doi:10.1136/adc.62.4.327. PMC 1778345. PMID 3592724.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "erythema toxicum" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
External links
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