About transient acantholytic dermatosis

What is transient acantholytic dermatosis?

Grover's disease is a rare, transient skin disorder that consists of small, firm, raised red lesions, most often on the skin of the chest and back. Diagnosis of this disorder becomes apparent under microscopic examination when the loss of the "cement" that holds the skin cells together is observed. Over time, as the skin loses the "cement", the cells separate (lysis). Small blisters containing a watery liquid are present. These blisters tend to group and have a swollen red border around them. Grover's disease is mainly seen in males older than forty or fifty. Its cause is unknown but it is thought to be related to trauma to sun damaged skin.

What are the symptoms for transient acantholytic dermatosis?

Blisters symptom was found in the transient acantholytic dermatosis condition

The most common symptom of Grover’s disease is the small, round, or oval red Bumps that form on the skin. They’re typically firm and raised.

You may also see the appearance of blisters. These typically have a red border and are filled with a watery liquid.

Both the Bumps and Blisters appear in groups on the chest, neck, and back. This Rash will likely itch severely, although not everyone experiences itching.

What are the causes for transient acantholytic dermatosis?

Dermatologists have studied skin cells under a microscope to understand how Grover’s disease happens. The outermost layer of skin is called the horny layer. People with Grover’s disease have an abnormal horny layer that disrupts how the skin cells attach to each other. When the skin cells detach (a process called lysis), bumps or blisters form.

Scientists don’t know for sure what causes this abnormality. Some doctors believe it’s caused by excessive environmental damage to the skin that’s occurred over many years. Other doctors believe excessive heat and sweating causes Grover’s disease. This is because some people first notice a breakout after using steam baths or hot tubs.

One recorded case of Grover’s disease has been linked back to, or at least co-occurred alongside, skin parasites.

What are the treatments for transient acantholytic dermatosis?

If you have a mild rash, the first treatments may include:

  • Antihistamines, taken by mouth
  • Prescription cortisone cream, applied to the rash
  • Other anti-itch lotions that contain menthol or camphor

If your symptoms are very bad, your doctor may suggest retinoids or an antibiotic taken by mouth. But, these medicines can cause side effects (some may be severe). Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of the medications you are prescribed.

Severe, stubborn symptoms can be hard to treat and may keep coming back. This could mean you need long-term treatment. Your doctor may prescribe light therapy combined with medications if this happens.

Other treatments that may be used for severe symptoms are:

  • Antifungal pills
  • Antifungal lotions such as selenium sulfide
  • Cortisone shots, 
  • Oral corticosteroids
  • Antibiotics
  • Systemic retinoid 

Your doctor may also suggest you reduce activities that can cause a lot of sweating (like heavy-duty workouts), since sweating can worsen the rash.

Your doctor might also recommend that you take fewer baths and showers, and that you don’t spend a lot of time in the sun.

What are the risk factors for transient acantholytic dermatosis?

Grover’s disease usually happens in men over 50. However, women sometimes get it, too.

Is there a cure/medications for transient acantholytic dermatosis?

Transient Acantholytic Dermatosis (TAD) is also named Grover's disease. It is a rare transient skin disorder. It appears as small, firm, raised red lesions on the skin of the chest and back. It is a temporary skin disease. The red spots that appear are very itchy.

  • Middle-aged men, i.e. men over 50 years of age are mostly affected by this disorder. How transient acantholytic dermatosis is caused is yet not known. But it may happen due to sun-damaged skin, excessive environmental damage to the skin, and sweating.
  • Also, certain medications like organ transplants, kidney disease, dialysis, etc may become a cause of transient acantholytic dermatosis.
  • Rashes occur on the back and chest and also sometimes on the arms and legs. There also occur blisters and bumps that contain a thin water liquid having a hair follicle.
  • For diagnosing transient acantholytic dermatosis, an examination of rashes is done to confirm that this disorder is transient acantholytic dermatosis or other skin disorder because it becomes tough to identify this.
  • The biopsy is done to confirm the exact disorder. The treatment prescribed for mild rash is as follows- Antihistamines
  • For rashes, cortisone cream, Anti-itch lotions having menthol or camphor.
  • If the condition is severe, then retinoids or antibiotics are prescribed, and sometimes such severe conditions are hard to treat.
  • The treatment prescribed for severe conditions are as follows- Antifungal pills Antifungal lotions such as selenium sulfide Cortisone shots Oral corticosteroids Systemic retinoid Care must be taken by avoiding hot baths for long and by spending a long time in the sun etc.


Symptoms
A rash over the chest, back, and the arms, and legs,Blisters with a thin, watery liquid inside and a hair follicle in the center,Blisters clumped together, encircled by a bloated red ring,Itching
Conditions
Sudden red, raised, blistery spots
Drugs
Antifungal pills,Antifungal lotions such as selenium sulfide,Cortisone shots,Oral corticosteroids,Antibiotics,Systemic retinoid

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