Treatment of infectious erythema. Infectious erythema in children: causes of development, main symptoms, traditional medicine How to treat infectious erythema in a child

There are several forms: annular, exudative multiforme, toxic, infectious, nodular, toxic... Each of them has its own clinical picture, symptoms and causes.

Among childhood diseases, there is a disease characterized by the growth of ring-shaped spots, choosing the place of their localization on the body or limbs of the child. The second name of annular erythema in children is Darrieus annular centrifugal erythema. Usually a short-term illness, but as a result of an emotional high threshold in a child, it can be long-term. Boys suffer less from this disease than girls.

Clinical picture

The pathological picture is characterized by the appearance of pinkish-red or with a yellowish tinge of non-flaky spotty formations. They are a little swollen, grow in disarray, gradually forming elements of rings tied in a garland. The dimensions of each garland can be up to 20 cm or more. The difficulty is that the birth of new spots growing along the periphery, along with the old ones that appeared earlier, forms extensive arcuate, bizarre garlands of focal lesions.

Gradually, the formations begin to change their shades to brown and brownish-olive. The place of localization of spots is the body, the sections of the limbs. Itching is not always present. There are atypical forms. It manifests itself by peeling and the appearance of small bubbles on the surface. Erythema ring occurs in children in a chronic form and can last up to several years. In this case, relapses of the disease are observed.

Treatment

Whatever erythema in children may be, treatment is required for a long time, but it can also be carried out at home. The etiology of each form will involve the choice of drugs. The main method is antibiotic treatment through injection.

Causes

Frequent reasons for the onset of the development of erythema in children are:

hereditary predisposition in the family;

sinusitis, chronic tonsillitis;

a weakened immune system.

Common symptoms of erythema

Signs are indicated:

headaches;

general malaise;

the presence of temperature;

the appearance of lesions in the form of edema, rings protruding above the surface of the skin, uniting into rings.

Exudative erythema multiforme

Refers to the acute form of the disease, affects the mucous membranes, for example, the oral cavity, as well as the skin of the face, palms, soles of the feet. There are frequent relapses. The rashes are polymorphic. Erythema multiforme in children prefers the off-season, the condition of the child after infections and with increased sensitivity to drugs.

Causes

The causes of infectious erythema in children (there is an infectious form of exudative erythema multiforme), in addition to the previous illness, may be others, such as focal infection - appendicitis, the presence of tonsillitis, sinusitis, pulpitis. Children are susceptible to viruses, streptococcus, staphylococcus.

While developing, erythema contributes to a decrease in immunity. Immunodeficiency syndrome occurs, provoked by:

susceptibility to infections;
hypothermia;
chronic infection.

Exudative erythema multiforme in children is often the result of treatment with drugs such as tetracycline, sulfonamides. This form manifests itself within a day in the mouth, soles, palms of the hands, forearms in the form of spots or flat papules of red or bright pink color. The center of the papule sinks, becomes cyanotic, and the periphery remains red. Bloody bubbles may appear in the central part.

Exudative erythema of the mouth passes in a severe stage, affecting the lips, cheeks, and the upper palate. The erosions that appear are bleeding, covered with crusts.

Treatment

The therapeutic course is aimed at preventing relapse. The basis of treatment is the elimination of substances that provoke the disease from the body. These are diuretics, enterosorbents and intake of liquids as much as possible. In addition, the doctor prescribes antihistamines of a sedative nature.

Erythema nodosum and its symptoms

The onset of the disease expresses in children an increase in sensitivity to certain diseases. Diagnosis of the disease indicates the onset of a primary infection. Symptoms of skin lesions of erythema nodosum in children can be observed individually. Many of them depend on the cause that caused the onset of the disease.

The most striking features are:

the formation of red nodules;

spots prevailing on the front of the lower leg;

the incubation period before the rash can be several weeks;

accompaniment of muscle and joint pain;

general malaise;

low-grade or high temperature;

merging of nodules into a large ring, up to 10-13 cm in diameter;

Causes of erythema nodosum

Erythema nodosum is more common in children over 5 years of age. By adolescence, the degree of infection is high. Various factors can trigger an infection:

tuberculosis;

the use of sulfonamides;

streptococcal infection, brucellosis, histoplasmosis;

very rarely sarcoidosis;

BCG vaccination;

The clinical picture of erythema nodosum in children

Erythema nodosum in children can be localized alternately on one lower leg, then on the other. All nodular eruptions are localized above the ankles, without crossing the border. An exception is the appearance of spots on the shoulders or in the area of the bridge of the nose, in the upper part of the cheeks, on the earlobes.

Gradually, the nodes thicken and become painful. After two to three days, they increase in size, acquiring an intense color. Over time, pain and tension decrease, and folds remain at the site of the nodules.

After a week, the erythematous nodes become bluish-brown in color. They are replaced by brownish age spots. These first rashes last up to several weeks. Subsequently, a new rash may appear.

The main changes affect the lobules of adipose tissue in the subcutaneous tissue and in the connective tissue of the septa. In the acute form, there is swelling, redness, and an increase in leukocytes. As the acute form weakened, huge cells of a foreign body come to replace, collagen fibers in the skin degenerate. Pathological changes begin to affect the walls of the venous vessels.

Diagnosis of erythema nodosum

Rashes of erythematous nodes are difficult to confuse with similar phenomena of other infections. Sometimes such rashes resemble a picture after insect bites. But you must definitely remember about the localization of rashes on the child's body. Erythema in children has limitations, which makes it possible to differentiate it from other infections. Tuberculin tests are taken, the dynamics of which should be paid attention to.

Therapeutic course

First of all, sanitation of all foci of infection of an infectious disease is carried out. Antibiotics, tannin preparations, in complicated cases, corticosteroids are used in low dosages. The therapeutic course is carried out with an emphasis on eliminating the factor that caused the disease - sinusitis, tonsillitis and others.

Erythema nodosum is treated with fortifying agents and antibiotics. Compresses, ichthyol ointments are recommended for inflamed areas. The mode for the child is bed. Contact with other children is undesirable.

The prognosis of treatment is favorable. Prevention consists in measures for the rehabilitation of lesions and the elimination of painful phenomena in the gastrointestinal tract.

Viral erythema in children

It meets all the parameters of an acute skin infection prone to relapse in the spring-autumn period. The rash of red spots on the oral mucosa, the child's skin indicates symptoms of viral erythema in children. Symptoms appear in a toxic-allergic form if the child takes large doses of drugs.

Most often children from 4 to 12 years old suffer from this form. The virus can spread to other children and even adults. At first, the disease may resemble the flu due to fever, general malaise, itching in the nose, and a slight runny nose. Sore throat and headache are sometimes noted. The rash appears on the body after 2-3 days. After the spots disappear, the disease enters the second stage of its development. During this time, joints may be affected.

Viral erythema in children can cause complications, such as changes in the synthesis of red blood cells. This can take up to 10 days. There may be a feverish state, palpitations, damage to the bone marrow, which forms persistent anemia.

Symptoms of viral erythema in children require special attention. Preparations are selected antiviral... Additionally applied analgesics, advantan ointments, lorinden, ichthyolka.

Symptoms of toxic erythema

Toxic erythema occurs in newborn babies. The child finds himself in an unfamiliar environment, and the skin reacts to the environment. Usually, toxic erythema does not need medical treatment. All that is needed is proper care and treatment of the baby's skin. For hygiene procedures, it is better not to use shampoo and gel. It is better to treat leather with oil daily. The redness goes away within a few days.

An additional method in treatment is a certain diet, with the help of which the mucous membrane of the small intestine will be cleansed in the child, absorption will improve, and blood flow normalizes; as a result, allergies will decrease.

Include healthy foods in the child's diet: fresh vegetables, basil herb, anise, rosemary, cumin; legumes and cereals; cranberry and pomegranate juices, as well as viscous cereals.

Traditional medicine in treatment

Choleretic are recommended decoctions of immortelle, lemon balm, mint, yarrow... The broth is cooked for 25-30 minutes and infused. You need to drink it three times a day before eating 100 grams. Berry decoctions are also useful, it is better to insist them in a thermos for 10-12 hours.

Infectious or annular erythema in children is a disease of the skin and mucous membranes. Popularly, this ailment is also called pseudo-rubella, a disease of splashed cheeks or the fifth childhood disease.

The main manifestation of the disease is skin rashes. In adulthood, the disease is rarely diagnosed. It mainly occurs in children from 4 to 12 years old. An accompanying symptom is an increase in body temperature.

What are the causes of infectious erythema?

The body of a child who has had pseudo-rubella produces antibodies to the virus that causes it. That is, the disease does not come back again.

The disease can be a consequence of:

weakening of immunity;
the presence of chronic ailments;
blood problems.

Pseudo-rubella is the result of the ingestion of paravirus B19. The spread of infection is most often carried out by airborne droplets. There is a high risk of infection through blood transfusion from a donor with erythema annulus. A baby can pick up an illness from an infected mother while in her womb.

Symptoms of the disease

Infectious erythema in children can manifest itself in the form of different symptoms, depending on the form of the progressive disease. With each form, they are pronounced and bring significant discomfort to young patients. The main signs of the disease are a rash on different parts of the body and a rise in temperature. They are present in every form. At the same time, the nature of the rash is varied, which is clearly visible in the photo.

Erythema Rosenberg

The initial signs of Rosenberg's erythema are severe fever and general intoxication. Rashes are noticeable on the 4-5th day of illness. Hyperthermia persists all these days.

The rash is represented by many spots that merge with each other. The main places of its occurrence are the skin of the buttocks and extensor surfaces of large joints. There are no spots on the face. The rash disappears by the fifth or sixth day. The temperature is normalized 1-2 days before.

Features of the manifestations of Chamer's erythema

Erythema of Chamer is not accompanied by significant fever. Severe intoxication is also absent. Body temperature is 37 - 37.5 ° C or generally within normal limits.

On the first day of the disease, a rash appears on the face. Small parts of it merge, leading to the appearance of the "butterfly" symptom. The rash may recur. This is caused by respiratory infections or hypothermia.

Children tolerate this form of erythema quite easily. In adults, it is often accompanied by a mild degree of joint damage.

Signs of erythema nodosum

Erythema nodosum is characterized by the formation of red nodules, spots that cover the front of the lower leg. In this case, the patient feels muscle and joint pain, general malaise. He's in a fever.

The nodules on the skin, gradually merging, form a common ring with a diameter of 10-13 cm (see photo below). The rash can last up to several weeks. Gradually, the red color of the nodules changes to cyanotic or yellowish.

Polymorphic exudative form of the disease

The course of exudative erythema multiforme is similar to the development of Rosenberg's erythema. However, the rash in this case is more polyform. On the skin, there may be a simultaneous presence of merging spots, papules, vesicles with serous contents and painful erosions that remained after opening the vesicles.

Severe forms of the multiforme exudative variety of erythema are accompanied by the formation of bubbles on the mucous membranes of the eyes, genitals, mouth and throat. The most severe variant of the exudative multiforme form is Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Sudden exanthema and undifferentiated form of the disease

Sudden exanthema begins with severe chills, temperatures up to 40 ° C and general intoxication. After 4–5 days, the fever stops abruptly and is replaced by the formation of spots on the face, arms, legs and trunk. On the fourth day after the appearance of the rash, they completely disappear.

The undifferentiated form does not differ in characteristic features. The rash may appear on different parts of the body. The rash goes away quickly.

Diagnostic methods

Algorithm of measures for the diagnosis of pseudo-rubella:

analysis of the anamnesis of the disease and complaints of the patient;
conducting a personal examination (to identify the location of the rash and determine its type);
polymerase chain reaction - PCR;
analysis for the presence of immunoenzymes;
consultations of an infectious disease specialist and a dermatologist.

You will also need:

conduct serological (to identify a number of antibodies to the virus) and histological studies;
take blood tests to determine the level of red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells;
take scrapings from the surface of the skin.

Differential diagnosis plays an important role, since pseudo-rubella can be confused with other skin diseases, such as streptoderma (flying fire, fly). With this disease, pink spots are formed on the surface of the skin, in place of which, after a few hours, bubbles appear, rough to the touch.

How to treat?

Treatment for the fifth childhood disease depends on its type. Due to the rapid course of the disease, it is important to eliminate the possibility of complications.

The primary task is to eliminate hyperthermia and improve the general condition of the little patient. After the rash has formed, you need to regularly treat the skin with antiseptics.

Medication approach

Antibiotics are not used in treatment. The exceptions are cases when the disease is accompanied by other infections (otitis media, tonsillitis, rhinitis, bronchitis). In this case, it is possible to use "Erythromycin", "Lincomycin" or "Tetracycline".

Other medicines used in the treatment:

anabolic steroids and glucocorticoids (prescribed at advanced stages in order to reduce the external manifestations of the disease);
drugs to lower the temperature ("Paracetamol", "Ibufen");
antihistamines that prevent allergic reactions (Fenistil, Tavegil, Suprastin);
medicines with anti-inflammatory effect ("Analgin", salicylates);
drugs for strengthening the walls of blood vessels ("Askorutin", "Troxevasin");
iodine alkalis, which accelerate the work of the lymph nodes, eliminate serous blisters;
peripheral hemokinators in order to reduce the permeability of the vascular walls, improve microcirculation ("Cinnarizine", "Pentoxifylline");
antiplatelet agents that reduce the risk of blood clots (acetylsalicylic acid, "Trental");
vitamins A, D, B and E to keep the skin healthy.

Topically applied applications with a solution of "Dimexidum" or "Ethacridine lactate". Perhaps the appointment of Vishnevsky ointment, "Solcoseryl", "Dermazin", "Iruksol". A weak solution of manganese or boric acid is used to treat ulcers in the oral cavity.

Do I need to follow a diet?

fatty, spicy, salty foods;
smoked meats;
coffee;
strong tea;
foods with a high content of preservatives;
chocolate;
citrus.

Avoid overloading the child's body with food that is difficult to digest. It is preferable to give the child porridge, light vegetable and meat broths, dairy products.

Traditional medicine

Folk remedies in the treatment of erythema annulus can be used only as ancillary. Natural ingredients can have a beneficial effect on the immunity of the child's body, which will speed up the healing process. Folk recipes that involve processing the skin should be used carefully, after consulting a doctor.

Common folk remedies for treating the fifth disease:

Infusion of herbs of peppermint, yarrow, lingonberry, lemon balm and immortelle. All herbs are taken in equal parts and poured with boiling water (for a teaspoon of the mixture - one glass of boiling water). The tincture is taken in 1/4 of a glass three times a day before meals.
A decoction of rose hips (the berries are placed in a thermos, poured with boiling water and insisted for 4 hours). The infusion is given to the patient several times a day.
Ointment from interior fat and arnica roots (half a glass of dry arnica roots is ground to a powder and mixed with melted interior fat until a thick mass is formed). This ointment is used to treat the skin affected by the rash.
Cooling baths with oatmeal or starch are used for severe skin irritation.

What complications can a child have?

The likelihood of complications in children who have had viral erythema is small, but it is still there. When proceeding, there is a risk of stopping the synthesis of erythrocytes. For a child who has no hematopoietic disorders, this complication is not fraught with significant problems. If a child still has such a violation, there is a risk of even greater complications with the work of the blood. Aplastic crisis may occur up to 10 days.

If the small patient already has aplastic anemia, its aggravation is possible. Pseudo-rubella under such circumstances will be accompanied by frequent bouts of fever, apathy and a rapid heartbeat.

In patients with immunodeficiency, the transition of the disease into a chronic form is quite possible. As a result, there may be a pathological lesion of hematopoiesis, a persistent form of anemia develops. This condition is reversible, but there is a risk of death.

Preventive measures

Prevention of pseudo-rubella is quite simple and includes the following measures:

moisturizing the skin;
compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
control of medication intake, and in case of allergies - refusal of them;
avoiding skin contact with chemical irritants;
proper nutrition;
timely and correct treatment of ailments of the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system, as well as infectious and fungal diseases;
timely replacement of underwear;
immediate treatment of lesions that have appeared on the skin with antiseptic agents;
regular preventive examinations by specialists.

Erythema infectious is caused by parvovirus and is characterized by the appearance of a rash. The disease is acute - with an increase in temperature, the appearance of redness on the face, a rash in the form of lace on the trunk and limbs.

The infectious disease is not well understood. It is often confused with other pathologies.

Children aged 5-15 years are most often susceptible to infection. Sometimes babies get sick with erythema. The virus often infects newborn babies in the first 3 days. But this form quickly passes by itself, without any consequences for the body.

Infection with erythema occurs in adults, but is extremely rare. The pathology is a respiratory disease and is transmitted by airborne droplets. If a child is sick, then immediately after detecting a rash on the skin, it is necessary to show the baby to the doctor.

Doctors have identified several forms of pathology. Depending on the type of disease, a course of treatment is prescribed.

The disease is an infectious pathology in which large rashes appear on the body (most often the face). The onset of the disease occurs in an acute form and is expressed by an increase in temperature, a sore throat.

Most often, pathology affects children aged 5 - 10 years. The disease is not rare, but since it is not well studied, it is often confused with the manifestations of other diseases - measles, dermatitis, rubella, roseola.

The disease is not dangerous, it responds well to treatment. After recovery, no marks remain on the skin. Most often children get sick (in schools, kindergartens).

Causes of the disease

The main reason for the appearance of infectious erythema is the B19 virus, a DNA virus (parvovirus). Other circumstances have been identified that cause the development of the pathological process:

Tick bite.
Allergy predisposition.
Intoxication of the body.
Tuberculosis.

The causes of pathology can be household items. There is a great risk of getting infected after a blood transfusion, organ transplant.

The development of erythema is promoted by impaired blood circulation, viral diseases. Often there is such a thing, the reason for which is the regular rubbing of tight clothing against the skin. In newborns, the appearance of pathology is caused by allergies and weak immunity.

Erythema is dangerous for pregnant women, especially in the first 3 months of gestation. At this stage, pathology can lead to the loss of the fetus. If the pregnancy is maintained, the child develops normally, and nothing threatens his health.

Most often, erythema is transmitted by airborne droplets. Different types of erythema provoke different kinds of viruses.

Varieties of infectious erythema and symptoms

The main symptoms of the disease are similar in all types of erythema. But there are various viruses that cause small differences in the manifestation of the rash and the symptoms of the patient.

In the photo, infectious erythema in infants with a pronounced rash on the cheeks.

Doctors distinguish types of infectious erythema:

multiform;
nodal;
annular;
migratory;
sudden;
undifferentiated;
Rosenberg;
Chamera.

Exudative erythema multiforme in children is characterized by the appearance of blistering eruptions. There is a clear liquid inside. When the bubble ruptures, red abrasions with a crust are formed. The rash is itchy, baking.

A child may develop Stevens-Johnson syndrome, when infected with which the patient's mucous membranes of the pharynx, mouth, genitals, and anus are affected. The polymorphic form is even fatal in some cases. The disease is caused by viruses that provoke infectious diseases (angina, tonsillitis, sinusitis, whooping cough).

Rashes with nodular (nodular) erythema are dense, they rise above the surface of the skin; have a diameter of 3 - 5 cm. The color of the rash changes over time: initially it is red, later it changes to blue, then to yellow. After 3 weeks, the rash disappears.

The disease is accompanied by high fever, wave-like fever. The main cause of the appearance of erythema nodosum is tuberculosis. Sometimes the disease is caused by rheumatism, tularemia.

The annular form of erythema appears after intoxication of the body, streptococcus lesions.

The migratory form is sometimes called toxic. Ring-shaped redness appears on the body. They quickly increase in size and do not pass on their own.

For sudden erythema, an increase in body temperature is characteristic, which lasts 2 to 3 days. In this case, other symptoms do not appear. On day 3, the skin is covered with red rashes. After 7 days, everything goes away. Pathology affects children 2 years of age. The herpes virus provokes the disease.

Infectious erythema of the undifferentiated type has not been sufficiently studied. It is mild, the skin rash is different, not typical for other types. Symptoms are mild.

Erythema Rosenberg occurs in schoolchildren and adolescents. Abundant maculopapular rashes appear in the bends of the limbs and on the buttocks. The liver, tonsils and spleen are enlarged.

Chamer's erythema subspecies is an infectious form, it is transmitted by airborne droplets. Symptoms of infectious erythema in this form of pathology are characterized by a butterfly-type rash on the body.

An inflammatory process develops in the upper respiratory tract. Headaches appear. Signs of conjunctivitis are possible. The cause of Chamer's erythema is parvovirus.

The disease affects children aged 4 to 12 years. The incubation period is 7 - 17 days. The first sign of the manifestation of the disease is a rash, which grows rapidly. They cover the face and hands of the child. The cheeks are most commonly affected.

The nose and mouth area remain clean. The forehead is covered with spots, but much less than the cheeks. Rashes on the trunk and limbs are less common. The location of the rash differs from their location in measles and rubella.

The spots are convex, like blisters. They rapidly increase and merge, forming one large inflammatory focus.

If you do not start treatment, a light spot appears in the center of individual spots. It drops slightly (it is no longer in the center) and takes on a grayish tint. The cheeks become puffy, hot. The spots are clear-cut. The border between healthy and affected skin is clearly visible.

The appearance of rashes on the hands begins in the area of the elbow bend. From this focus, redness spreads to the fingers and further higher to the shoulders. Legs are less likely to be affected by infectious erythema. In the area of the folds, the redness is small and similar to measles or hives.

Spots rarely appear on the body. Typically, after 2 to 3 days, pale spots with a characteristic marble pattern may appear in other areas.

In babies, the course of the disease is similar to measles and scarlet fever. After a couple of days, the rash turns brown. Usually, the red spots disappear without leaving marks on the skin, but sometimes mild pigmentation may remain.

On average, the spots stay on the body for 6 - 10 days. Relapses are common when there has been heat exposure (or when parts of the clothing rub against the baby's skin).

The main symptom of infectious erythema is the appearance of red spots, but other manifestations of the disease are also possible. In some cases, the baby has:

general malaise;
anxiety;
nausea, vomiting;
temperature increase;
painful swallowing.

Also, the child may experience pain, mild itching, he does not sleep well. Other symptoms are usually mild and much less common. The most severe manifestations are multiforme, exudative, forms of erythema.

Diagnostics

After detecting spots on the body, it is necessary to show the child to the pediatrician. The doctor sends the baby for a consultation with a dermatologist, infectious disease specialist. Diagnosis of the disease is based on the nature of the spots and their location. To determine the diagnosis, a visual examination is used, studies are carried out:

blood test;
serological;
histological;

Also, scrapings are taken from the surface of the skin. A blood test shows that the number of polynuclear neutrophilic leukocytes decreases, the number of eosinophils increases.

Treatment

The therapy does not require special medications. The child is given antihistamines prescribed by a doctor. During the period of treatment of infectious erythema, hygiene procedures should be observed with special care, otherwise the child may be infected with staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria.

Clothes (especially underwear) should be changed daily and washed at a temperature not lower than 60. The room where the baby is located is ventilated every day. During illness, the child must be provided with bed rest. Drinking plenty of fluids is beneficial.

Depending on the form of the disease, the doctor prescribes treatment. It is good to combine medications with folk remedies. This will enhance the therapeutic effect and ease the baby's condition.

If the disease is mild, home treatment and adherence to bed rest are sufficient. In difficult situations, the patient has to be hospitalized.

Medication method

For the treatment of any form of erythema, the following are prescribed:

antibiotics;
antihistamines and antibacterial drugs.

In difficult situations, corticosteroids are prescribed. Relief of pain and temperature is carried out with antipyretic drugs. Ring pathology in children is treated with topical antimicrobial drugs (for example, Erythromycin ointment).

For the treatment of erythema nodosum, electrophoresis is prescribed. The procedure is carried out with solutions of potassium and sodium iodide. In some cases, laser therapy, phonophoresis, UFO, magnetotherapy are used. Such manipulations can be prescribed by a dermatologist. In some types of pathology, physiotherapy procedures will harm the child.

Nutrition adjustment

Food should be gentle - potentially allergenic foods, smoked, fried, salty foods are excluded from the menu. Do not give citrus fruits, chocolate, canned food. Such products will complicate the child's condition, weaken the immune system.

ethnoscience

Traditional methods of treatment as an independent type of therapy will not help the child well. The optimal result will be achieved by combining all possible therapies. Treatment methods with folk remedies should be agreed with your doctor. Manipulations are carried out several times a day.

Usually, the following are used to combat rashes:

anti-inflammatory decoctions of chamomile, lemon balm, calendula, immortelle;
decoctions of berries;
infusions of elderberry, rosehip, mountain ash;
lotions from chamomile, oak bark;
arnica ointment.

Possible complications

As a rule, infectious erythema proceeds without complications. With timely and correct treatment, there is no threat to the baby's health. After a disease, the child develops immunity to pathology.

In cases where the baby has a blood disorder, complications are possible. For children with immunodeficiency, health deterioration is possible.

In some patients, erythema multiforme can cause negative consequences. It appears against the background of complex diseases and can lead to serious problems. If the child is not treated in time, the development of the disease can lead to death.

Prevention of infectious erythema

The virus is easy to catch in the clinic, public transport, sandbox. As a prophylaxis of the disease, you should:

Observe hygiene standards.
Avoid crowded places.
Observe sleep patterns.
Wash your hands after walking.
Strengthen the child's immunity.

If the baby has had erythema, there is a danger of relapse immediately after the illness. To avoid this, you should:

avoid hypothermia;
do not walk in the open sun;
avoid stressful situations; do not allow the baby to be nervous;
include vitamin preparations in the diet.

Although infectious erythema is not a dangerous disease, when a rash appears in a baby, you should immediately consult a doctor. The child must be isolated and the doctor's orders must be followed.

During illness, you should avoid food that can cause allergies, you need to create maximum peace for the baby. Self-medication is unacceptable; there is no need to hope that the disease will go away without therapy.

Infectious erythema is a viral disease with predominantly cutaneous manifestations.

Under this name, they combine a group of acute conditions with approximately the same symptoms and a similar course.

Initially, they were described as independent diseases, later they began to be considered varieties of one disease.

Etiology of the disease

For a long time, the causes of infectious erythema were unknown. Currently, the main etiological factor is considered to be infection with parvovirus B19. This DNA-containing virus was identified in 1974 from human blood serum and got its name from the number and batch of the plasma sample under study. Since July 2013, it has been referred to as Primate erythroparvovirus 1.

The infection is transmitted from an infected person by airborne droplets and by vertical routes (transplacentally from mother to fetus). There is also a risk of infection through transfusion of blood and blood components, as well as through organ transplantation from a parvovirus-infected donor. But the likelihood of this is low, because the pathogen is not prone to long-term persistence in the human body.

The main target of the virus is erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. In the fetus, the erythroblasts of the umbilical cord blood and the fetal liver, the main extramedullary hematopoietic organs, are also affected. This can cause clinically significant disorders of erythropoiesis, although in most cases the picture of peripheral blood remains practically unchanged.

Why a rash appears in certain areas of the body and other symptoms of infectious erythema is still not reliably known. The most striking manifestations of the disease are observed in patients with a tendency to hypersensitivity. Often, a characteristic rash appears against the background of other diseases: rheumatism, tularemia, tuberculosis. Taking sulfa drugs is also considered a factor that contributes to a more severe and complicated course of infectious erythema. Immunodeficiencies of various etiologies also act in the same way.

Video: Infectious erythema

Classification

Currently, there are several types of infectious erythema:

sudden exanthema - is characterized by the fastest and easiest course;
Chamer infectious erythema - most often observed in children;
Rosenberg infectious erythema;
erythema nodosum;
erythema multiforme, its most severe variant is called Stevens-Johnson syndrome;
undifferentiated form (according to the classification of A.I. Ivanov).

These conditions cannot transform into each other, each of them is characterized by the peculiarities of the course and nature of the rash.

Clinical picture

The incubation period lasts 1-2 weeks (less often it stretches up to 28 days), and the duration of the disease is on average 1 to 3 weeks. The only exception is the severe form of the disease (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), which can last more than 1.5 months.

Symptoms consist of signs of intoxication and exanthema (rash). Moreover, the fever always precedes the skin manifestations and may decrease after the appearance of the rash. In some forms of the disease, arthralgias and arthropathies also appear, moderate hepato- and splenomegaly, and mild meningeal syndrome may occur. Anemia, leukopenia and neutropenia are signs of massive damage to bone marrow cells.

The rash with infectious erythema is profuse, confluent, mainly spotty, roseolous and maculopapular. Some forms of the disease are also characterized by the appearance of nodes or vesicles. Exanthema on the face leads to the appearance of the effect of "splattered cheeks" with diffuse redness. And on the limbs, the rash usually resembles lace and consists of merging rounded spots, rings and half rings. The nature and localization of rashes are the basis for the diagnosis of varieties of infectious erythema, and this practically does not affect the treatment regimen.

Elements of exanthema gradually fade and disappear, while the spots become annular. This phase of the rash is called reticular. In some cases, lamellar or pityriasis peeling persists for a short time at the sites of a profuse rash. The disease does not leave behind external defects: scars, areas with altered pigmentation, thickening or thinning of the skin.

Features of different forms of the disease

Sudden exanthema

It is characterized by a rapid and significant increase in body temperature, which is accompanied by a general moderately expressed intoxication. On the 3-4th day, there is a rapid critical resolution of the fever with the simultaneous appearance of spotty rashes on the face, limbs, and trunk. The rash lasts no more than 3 days and then disappears spontaneously and without a trace.

Chamer's infectious erythema

With this form, severe fever and severe intoxication are not characteristic, the temperature is usually subfebrile or normal. A spotted rash appears from the first day of illness and is localized mainly on the face. The fusion of its individual elements leads to the appearance of the "butterfly" symptom. Waves of repeated rashes are possible, which usually appears against the background of respiratory infections and hypothermia. Chamer's erythema infection in adults may be accompanied by mild arthropathy. And children carry the disease easily.

Video: Infectious erythema

Rosenberg infectious erythema

Begins with severe fever with general intoxication. The rash appears against the background of persistent hyperthermia on the 4-5th day of the disease. Multiple confluent spots are visible on the skin of the extensor surfaces of large joints and buttocks, the face remains clean. The rash disappears after 5-6 days, soon after the temperature has returned to normal.

It occurs against the background of some ongoing infections. The appearance of rashes is accompanied by a new wave of fever, an increase in intoxication, arthralgia. On symmetrical areas of the limbs, dense painful, slightly raised red nodes appear, which then become cyanotic or yellowish. Rash resolution is gradual over 3 weeks.

Downstream resembles Rosenberg's erythema. But the rash with this form of the disease is polymorphic, in addition to spots and papules, bubbles with transparent contents appear. In Stevens-Johnson syndrome, these ruptured vesicles also appear on the mucous membranes. This leads to erosive and ulcerative lesions of the mouth, pharynx, genitals, anus.

Undifferentiated exudative erythema

It has no specific features and is usually mild. The rash can appear on various parts of the body and resolve quickly.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of infectious erythema is based on the features of the clinical picture. In this case, it is necessary to exclude many diseases occurring with exanthema. Infectious erythema is differentiated from measles, rubella, erysipelas, scarlet fever, leptospirosis, cutaneous leishmaniasis, typhus, systemic lupus erythematosus, baby roseola and other diseases. And with erythema multiforme, serum sickness and drug toxidermia are excluded.

To verify the diagnosis in difficult cases, PCR is used (allows you to detect the DNA of the virus), and ELISA (with the determination of the titer of specific antibodies of different classes). A high level of Ig G to parvovirus in the absence of Ig M indicates a previous illness.

Treatment

Treatment of infectious erythema depends on the severity of the main symptoms. A mild disease requires only symptomatic therapy: antipyretic and local antipruritic agents. If necessary, add antihistamines, especially in the case of erythema nodosum. Be sure to cancel sulfonamides if they were prescribed for the treatment of a previous infectious disease.

A severe course and signs of exudative erythema multiforme are the basis for initiating corticosteroid therapy. It is also necessary if the sick person has an immunodeficiency. In some cases, various antiviral drugs are prescribed, although they do not have a narrowly targeted effect on parvovirus.

Video: Erythema multiforme exudative

Forecast

Infectious erythema in children and adults is usually fairly easy, rarely complicated and does not pose a threat to life. The exception is Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which is sometimes fatal.

If the person has had previous blood disorders, erythema infectiousness may be complicated by anemia. The most severe form of this condition is an aplastic crisis, which requires transfusion of blood or its individual components.

If a pregnant woman becomes infected, there is a risk of intrauterine fetal death. Therefore, another name for infectious erythema is the fifth disease. This is because many doctors equate it with the TORCH group, which includes potentially teratogenic rubella, toxoplasmosis, herpes, and cytomegalovirus infection. The greatest danger of viral erythema is at a gestational period of 10-26 weeks, infection during this period can cause a miscarriage. But this infection does not pose a threat to the life of the pregnant woman herself.

Infectious erythema leaves behind a lifelong immunity, regardless of the severity of the symptoms. Specific antibodies are formed even with a latent (inapparent, asymptomatic) form of the disease. Often, people learn about a previous parvovirus infection only after a serological test.

Prophylaxis

Viral erythema does not belong to highly contagious infections and has no specific prophylaxis. General improvement of the body, a decrease in the level of allergization, timely and competent treatment of background diseases help to reduce the risk of complications.

A pregnant woman is advised to avoid crowds, if necessary, use masks, rinse out the mouth and rinse the nose after contact with a patient suspected of erythema infection. If a fever or rash develops, she needs to see a doctor as soon as possible and get tested.

Redness on the baby's skin is caused by various reasons - allergies, environmental influences, and maybe a manifestation of an infectious disease called erythema. In terms of its symptoms, it is similar to ARVI. If such signs are found in the baby, it must be shown to the doctor. Self-treatment is unlikely to be effective.

What is erythema infectious disease?

It can be both an independent disease and a symptom of other ailments. In general, the term combines several diseases with characteristic features. All of them are distinguished by severe redness of certain areas of the skin.

Often, erythema affects children, including newborns, who still do not have enough defenses to fight off pathogens. The most common infectious forms are caused by various viruses and bacteria. These include:

erythema of Chamer - provoked by the human paravirus B19;
Leiner's annular erythema - caused by streptococcus;
multiforme exudative form - it is caused by causative agents of infectious diseases (tonsillitis, sinusitis, diphtheria, whooping cough, pulpitis, tonsillitis, etc.);
erythema nodosum - appears with rheumatism, tuberculosis, rheumatism and looks like seals on the limbs with pain;
sudden erythema (exanthema) - caused by the herpes virus;
undifferentiated infectious form;
pink lichen of Zhiber (we recommend to read:);
erythema of Rosenberg;
streptoderma ("fly") with annular erythema (we recommend to read:);
toxic form and others.

There are many types of this disease, they are all caused by different causes and pathogens. There is also physiological erythema, which is not a pathology and is caused by external factors. It manifests itself in the first three days of a newborn baby's life and passes without a trace on its own.

Causes of the disease

In newborns, the main cause of the onset of the disease is the immaturity of the immune system. It happens that infection occurs even in utero or during childbirth.

In older children, erythema occurs due to:

bacterial, viral infection;
toxic effects;
allergic reactions;
other factors of unknown nature.

Symptoms of various types of infectious erythema

Due to the fact that the disease is caused by different reasons, its manifestations and the duration of the course also differ and cause concomitant symptoms.

Erythema nodosum

Type of erythema	Duration of illness	Skin symptoms	Associated symptoms
Erythema Rosenberg	More than 2 weeks	Rash on limbs and buttocks, spotted or nodular.	Headaches, joint pains, muscle pains, sleep disturbances, enlarged liver and spleen.
Erythema Chamera	More than 15 days	Symmetrical butterfly-shaped rash on the face.	Airway inflammation, conjunctivitis, mild joint pain, may be asymptomatic.
Nodal	21-25 days, with relapses	Red nodules with compaction up to 5 cm, soreness, fluid accumulates under the skin, the rash is located on the front of the legs, forearms, and thighs symmetrically.	Hyperthermia, joint, muscle pain.
Multiforme exudative	1 to 6 weeks, sometimes longer, with frequent relapses	Rash of various types: abscesses, blisters, blisters; in adolescents - in the form of plaques deepened in the center. Located on the trunk and limbs. Ulcers and erosion in the anus, genitals (we recommend reading :). In difficult cases, large infected areas. Often appears in the off-season, during a period of weakened immunity, after treatment with certain drugs.	Headaches, joint pains, muscle pains, hyperthermia, weakness, inflammation of the respiratory tract, enlarged liver, swelling of the eyelids, with extensive lesions: inflammation of the bronchi, myocardium, lungs, esophagus. Death is possible.
Sudden exanthema	Up to 1 week	Pale pink rash all over the body.	Fever, headache.
Darrieus annular centrifugal erythema	Often chronic with relapses	Red rash on the trunk and limbs, ring-shaped spots up to 2–3 cm in diameter.	Headaches, hyperthermia, general malaise.
Toxic	A few days	The reaction of the integument is most pronounced at the point of contact with the allergen, but it can also occur throughout the body; itching, burning.	Manifestations of moderate intoxication of the body are possible.
Physiological	1 day to 6 weeks	Redness of the skin does not cause discomfort.	–

On the fifth day of the disease, the baby has red spots on his face, then all over his body. The spots are very itchy, disappear after a few days. Their characteristic manifestation can be seen in the photo.

The infectious form of the disease is transmitted by airborne droplets. After the illness, a stable immunity is formed, the baby will not be able to get sick with it anymore.

Diagnosing pathology

A dermatologist is engaged in such diseases - it is to him that the child should be taken if an infectious erythema is suspected. Each type of disease has its own characteristic signs, therefore, upon visual examination, the specialist will determine what exactly struck the baby's skin.

Additionally, a general blood test is prescribed, since this ailment often gives concomitant symptoms. Another necessary study for infectious erythema is a blood test for ELISA, the presence of antibodies in the blood, the detection of the DNA of the virus. If necessary, the baby will be referred to an infectious disease specialist.

Treatment methods

Treatment of infectious erythema is prescribed depending on the type of disease and the cause that caused it. The doctor will pay attention to the clinical symptoms (skin and the extent of its damage) and the test results.

As a rule, uncomplicated cases are treated at home with mandatory bed rest. If the child has a seriously weakened immune system or has a blood disorder, the specialist will offer to undergo hospital therapy.

When treating a disease, it is important not to restrict the child in liquid, but, on the contrary, to offer to drink clean non-carbonated water as often as possible.

give your baby enough liquid to remove toxins from the body;
exclude taking a bath, carry out hygiene procedures only under the shower;
it is impossible to expose the skin to negative influences (cold, heat, sun) - they greatly delay recovery;
clothes must be washed at temperatures above 60 degrees;
underwear (T-shirts, panties) change every day.

Medication method

Medicines for pediatric therapy:

Local antiseptic agents (Dimexide). Help relieve itching and heal skin lesions faster.
Antipyretic drugs (Paracetamol for children, Nurofen). They are used at temperatures above 38.5 ° C to alleviate the condition of a sick baby, they have an analgesic effect.
Immunostimulants (Viferon). Supports immunity against the virus.
Antihistamines (Fenistil). Reduces allergic manifestations.
Antibiotics (Flemoxin Solutab) (we recommend reading :). They are prescribed to cure a primary or secondary disease (pneumonia, tonsillitis, otitis media). Erythema annulus in children also requires therapy with topical antimicrobial drugs (erythromycin).

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy procedures are used for erythema nodosum. As a rule, this is electrophoresis on the affected areas of the skin with solutions of potassium or sodium iodide. Sometimes it is recommended to carry out phonophoresis, laser therapy, ultraviolet irradiation, magnetotherapy. Such treatment is prescribed by a dermatologist, because with some forms of erythema, physiotherapy will only harm.

Nutrition adjustment

The patient's diet is adjusted by analogy with other viral diseases. Fatty, fried, smoked foods are excluded. Excess salt should be avoided. The ban also applies to chocolate, canned food, fast food and citrus fruits. Allergenic foods will aggravate the baby's condition and reduce the already weak immunity.

ethnoscience

Before using any folk remedy, you must consult with your doctor. Such methods should be used only in combination with traditional treatment.

Traditional medicine recipes suitable for treating erythema in a child:

decoctions of immortelle, mint, lemon balm, chamomile;
berry decoctions;
infusion of wild rose, red mountain ash, hawthorn, elderberry;
lotions from oak bark, chamomile;
arnica ointment.

Rosehip infusion is the easiest way to remove toxins and toxins from the body

Recovery prognosis

Infectious erythema usually resolves in 2–3 weeks. With the right treatment, the prognosis is good. There are no serious complications, no scars remain after the rashes.

A common form of the disease - sudden exanthema - affects 30% of all children and is accompanied by severe symptoms, but does not pose a health hazard with adequate therapy (see also:). It goes away within a week without complications. After recovery, lifelong immunity to sudden exanthema is formed.

Adverse consequences for children can occur with blood disorders, anemia - an infectious disease will aggravate the state of health. It will also negatively affect a baby with immunodeficiency. There is a great risk that erythema will become chronic.

Exudative erythema multiforme is also dangerous. It is caused by serious illnesses and in itself is fraught with serious consequences. In especially advanced, complex cases, exudative erythema multiforme is even fatal.

Prevention measures

There is no specific prophylaxis against infection with an infectious form of the disease, because it is often asymptomatic and it is impossible to recognize the carrier of the infection.

It is easy to get infected with it in the clinic, transport, kindergarten or school. That is why the recommendations will be general for maintaining immunity:

avoid large crowds;
do not contact patients with acute respiratory viral infections;
wash your hands after the street, rinse the nasal passages with saline during epidemics;
eat well and properly, take vitamin complexes (VitaMishki, Alphabet, Pikovit);
exercise;
sleep at least 8 hours a day;
walk more in the fresh air.

If the baby has already had an infectious erythema, it is important to protect him from a relapse of the disease. For this you need:

avoid hypothermia and intense heat;
do not go out into the open scorching sun;
protect the baby from stress, mental stress;
take all measures to strengthen the immune system.