eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Reactive & Inflammatory Dermatoses
Acute Febrile Neutrophilic Dermatosis: Treatment & Medication
Updated: Jul 31, 2009
- Overview
- Differential Diagnoses & Workup
- Treatment & Medication
- Follow-up
- Multimedia
Treatment
Medical Care
- In most cases of acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet syndrome), prednisone is extremely and rapidly effective, in doses of 1 mg/kg/d.1,40
- Pulmonary infiltrates also tend to respond promptly to prednisone.25
- However, despite the initial excellent response, recurrences of neutrophilic dermatitis are common and generally develop as steroid use is being tapered. If the underlying disease flares, it may take longer to effectively taper therapy.1
- High-potency topical steroids (eg, clobetasol propionate 0.05%) or intralesional glucocorticoids (eg, triamcinolone acetonide 3.0-10 mg/mL) may also be useful in localized lesions.4
- For long-term management, numerous drugs may be helpful. Many of the medications work by inhibiting neutrophil chemotaxis, but none have been shown to be better than corticosteroids.1,4
- Indomethacin, colchicine, and potassium iodide were helpful in small series of patients.1,62,63
- Dapsone, cyclosporine, etretinate, pentoxifylline, and clofazimine also have been used, with anecdotal success.1,37,40,64
- Doxycycline, metronidazole, isotretinoin, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, adalimumab, infliximab, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), pulse doses of methylprednisolone, and interferon alfa are also reportedly successful.1,37,40,64,65,66
- If an underlying cause can be identified, it should be treated, eg, by means of resection of solid tumors, treatment of infections, and discontinuation of causative medication. Successful therapy of the underlying disorder may promote resolution of Sweet syndrome and prevent recurrences.3,4
- Etanercept has been reported to control the skin manifestations of Sweet syndrome in a small case series of rheumatoid arthritis patients.67
- In the pediatric population, long-term use of corticosteroids can cause problems with linear growth, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels. Children may also have social sequelae associated with their use. Therefore, attempts are usually made to treat children with steroid-sparing drugs.13
Consultations
- Consultation with a dermatologist is indicated for the diagnosis and evaluation of underlying causes of acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet syndrome).
- An internal medicine specialist may be consulted to evaluate any underlying or triggering diseases.
Medication
The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids have anti-inflammatory properties and cause profound and varied metabolic effects. In addition, these agents modify the body's immune response to diverse stimuli.
Prednisone (Deltasone)
Useful in acute neutrophilic dermatitis because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Must be metabolized to the active metabolite prednisolone for effect. Conversion may be impaired in those with liver disease.
Adult
1 mg/kg/d qd; taper slowly over 4-6 wk to 10 mg/d (tapering may decrease adverse reactions)
Pediatric
0.5-1.5 mg/kg/d qd or divided bid/qid; taper over 4-6 wk, as symptoms resolve
Coadministration with estrogens may decrease clearance; when used with digoxin, digitalis toxicity secondary to hypokalemia may increase; phenobarbital, phenytoin, and rifampin may increase the metabolism of glucocorticoids (consider increasing maintenance dose); monitor for hypokalemia with coadministration of diuretics; coadministration with ritonavir may significantly increase serum concentrations of prednisone; concomitant therapy with montelukast may result in severe peripheral edema; clarithromycin may increase risk of psychotic symptoms
Postmarketing surveillance reports indicate that risk of tendon rupture may be increased in patients receiving concomitant fluoroquinolones and corticosteroids, especially elderly patients; administration of asparaginase concurrently with or before prednisone therapy may result in increased toxicity
Documented hypersensitivity; viral, fungal, tubercular skin, or connective-tissue infections; peptic ulcer disease; hepatic dysfunction
Pregnancy
C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Precautions
May unmask hypertension or diabetes or exacerbate peptic ulcer disease and tuberculosis; long-term sequelae associated with long-term steroid use include osteoporosis, cataracts, and pituitary-hypothalamic axis suppression; with high doses, patients may develop a steroid psychosis and are at increased risk of infections, particularly when oral steroids are used in conjunction with other immunosuppressants; frequently monitor patient's blood sugar level, blood pressure, and weight; monitor for Cushing syndrome
Anti-inflammatories
These agents modulate events leading to inflammatory reactions.
Dapsone (Avlosulfon)
Bactericidal and bacteriostatic against mycobacteria; mechanism of action similar to that of sulfonamides for which competitive antagonists of PABA prevent formation of folic acid, inhibiting bacterial growth.
Adult
100-200 mg/d qd; may use as monotherapy or in combination therapy
Pediatric
0.5 mg/kg/d; can increase to 2 mg/kg
May inhibit anti-inflammatory effects of clofazimine; hematologic reactions may increase with folic acid antagonists, eg, pyrimethamine (monitor for agranulocytosis during second and third months of therapy); probenecid increases toxicity; trimethoprim with dapsone may increase toxicity of both drugs; because of increased renal clearance, levels may significantly decrease when administered concurrently with rifampin
Documented hypersensitivity; known G-6-PD deficiency (assay for G-6-PD activity prior to initiation of therapy)
Pregnancy
C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Precautions
Associated with a variety of systemic toxicities, including agranulocytosis, anemia, methemoglobinemia, hepatitis, and neuropathy; patients may experience headache and/or GI distress on initiation of therapy
Perform weekly blood counts (first mo), then monthly WBC counts (6 mo), then semiannual WBC counts; discontinue if a significant reduction in platelets, leukocytes, or hematopoiesis occurs; caution in methemoglobin reductase deficiency, G-6-PD deficiency, or hemoglobin M because of high risk for hemolysis and Heinz body formation; caution in patients exposed to other agents or conditions (eg, infection, diabetic ketosis) capable of producing hemolysis; peripheral neuropathy can occur (rare); phototoxicity may occur when exposed to UV light; pancreatitis may occur; various forms of renal complications including acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis, and oliguria have occurred with dapsone use
Colchicine
Decreases leukocyte motility and phagocytosis in inflammatory responses. Has effects against neutrophils, which are probably involved in expression of cutaneous vasculitis; has been demonstrated to be steroid-sparing in open-label studies. The only double-blinded placebo-controlled trial failed to demonstrate its efficacy; however, several methodological errors occurred in this study. Not FDA approved in children.
Adult
0.6 mg/d PO
Pediatric
Not established
Sympathomimetic agent toxicity and effect of CNS and bone marrow depressants are significantly increased with colchicine; clarithromycin may cause significant increases in colchicine serum concentrations; may increase cyclosporine levels when concomitantly administered with colchicine
Documented hypersensitivity; severe renal, hepatic, GI, or cardiac disorders; blood dyscrasias
Pregnancy
D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Precautions
Risk of renal failure, hepatic failure, permanent hair loss, bone marrow suppression, numbness or tingling in hands and feet, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and decreased sperm count; may cause nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain approximately 8-12 h after PO administration in 80% of patients, especially when maximal doses used (discontinue use at onset of gastrointestinal intolerance); may cause myopathy and myoneuropathy
More on Acute Febrile Neutrophilic Dermatosis |
| Overview: Acute Febrile Neutrophilic Dermatosis |
| Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Acute Febrile Neutrophilic Dermatosis |
Treatment & Medication: Acute Febrile Neutrophilic Dermatosis |
| Follow-up: Acute Febrile Neutrophilic Dermatosis |
| Multimedia: Acute Febrile Neutrophilic Dermatosis |
| References |
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References
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Further Reading
Keywords
acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, Sweet syndrome, Sweet disease, Sweet's syndrome, Sweet's disease, neutrophilic dermatitis, Gomm-Button disease, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, G-CSF
Treatment & Medication: Acute Febrile Neutrophilic Dermatosis