Gionatti Crosti Syndrome, also called Acrodermatitis of Childhood, is a very common skin rash that I encounter frequently in my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices. Gionatti Crosti is a rash that begins as small red papules on the face, buttocks, legs and arms. Typically, the trunk is spared which is a hallmark of this rash. The rash is limited to children with age 2 being the most common group affected. Importantly, the rash is not scaly as the papules are smooth. The rash typically lasts at least ten days and can remain for up to one month, as most viral rashes resolve much sooner than Gionatti Crosti Syndrome. Patients may experience lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes) and occasionally splenomegaly (enlarged spleen). The most common virus causing Gionatti Crosti Syndrome is Hepatitis B virus. Adenovirus, Cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr Virus, Enterovirus, Rotatvirus, Rubella, Influenza have all been implicated as well. The rash is self-limited and the patients do not feel ill. No treatment has been effective at shortening the duration of this rash.
