Viral pemphigus in children: symptoms and treatment

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Viral pemphigus in children: symptoms and treatment
Viral pemphigus in children: symptoms and treatment
Anonim

Viral pemphigus is quite common, especially in preschool children. The disease is seasonal, with a surge in incidence in spring and autumn.

Pemphigus in children
Pemphigus in children

What is pemphigus in children

The photos show how frightening the symptoms of this disease can be. Pemphigus is a contagious disease that can be spread by direct contact, as well as droplets of saliva when coughing and sneezing, and even through household items.

Pemphigus in children is characterized by the appearance of painful pimples, similar to watery blisters of various sizes. Several foci can merge into one. Causes the disease enterovirus Coxsackie.

Causes of infection

Infection can be caused by the following factors:

  • compromised immunity;
  • poor personal hygiene;
  • use of common household items (toys or equipment in kindergarten);
  • heredity.

So why, under the same conditions, some children develop pemphigus and others do not? Conducted medical studies indicate that the main cause of pemphigus (pemphigus) are disorders of the immune system and the formation of auto-aggressive bodies. These antibodies, under adverse conditions (contact with the virus), act on skin cells, which leads to the formation of blisters and delamination of the layers of the epidermis. A bacterial or fungal infection can easily join the affected skin.

Viral pemphigus in children
Viral pemphigus in children

Forms of pemphigus

There are 4 known forms of pemphigus, which differ somewhat in symptoms:

  1. Leaf-shaped.
  2. Seborrheic.
  3. Vegetative.
  4. Viral.

The common thing that these forms of pemphigus have in common is watery blisters, and the difference lies in the lesions. Now in more detail about each form.

Pemphigus in children. Treatment
Pemphigus in children. Treatment

Pemphigus foliaceus

Pemphigus foliaceus is characterized by the formation of blisters on the skin that burst, and erosion appears in their place, and then a dried crust. Exudate accumulates under the still unhealed erosion, which, drying up, forms a new layer of crust. These crusts are layered on top of each other. The leaf-shaped form of pemphigus differs in that foci of exfoliated skin can also occur on completely he althy-looking skin.

Seborrheic pemphigus

In this form of the disease, the first lesions appear on the scalp, hence the name - seborrheic pemphigus. Lesions may spread to the face, back, and chest. First, areas of redness with clear boundaries appear, in place of which watery blisters appear. Then they burst and, drying up, form a grayish-yellow crust.

Vegetative pemphigus

This form of pemphigus spreads mainly to the oral mucosa, around the lips and nose, and lesions can also be on the genitals. The affected areas are covered with purulent crusts that have an unpleasant odor.

Pemphigus in children (photo)
Pemphigus in children (photo)

Viral pemphigus

As already mentioned, infection in adults is extremely rare, most often pemphigus occurs in children. Symptoms begin to appear 5-7 days after infection.

At the initial stage, the child appears lethargic, he is less active than usual. The child wants to sleep, his general condition worsens, the body temperature rises. After 2 days, rashes appear on the skin of the arms, legs, buttocks and on the mucous membrane in the mouth in the form of pimples filled with liquid, very similar to vesicles in chicken pox. This rash is uncomfortable, itchy and itchy. The bubbles burst and form white sores about 3 mm in diameter, framed by a red rim, they are very painful, then they become covered with a crust. If there are rashes in the mouth, then the child refuses to eat and drink, because it hurts him to eat. A week after the manifestation of the clinical picture of the disease, the temperature decreases, the sores heal, and there is a complete recovery. On average, all the symptoms of viral pemphigus disappear after 10 days.

Pemphigus in children. Symptoms
Pemphigus in children. Symptoms

The danger of infection may persist for about 3 months, because the infectious agent remains in the stool all this time. To prevent the spread of infection, it is necessary to carefully monitor hygiene.

Diagnosis

No specific diagnostics required. An experienced pediatrician during the initial examination will easily diagnose "viral pemphigus" in children. Treatment is symptomatic.

To establish an accurate diagnosis, a blood test is performed for the presence of specific antibodies.

Pemphigus in children. Treatment

Methods of therapy for this disease depend on the volume of the pathological process and the general condition of the patient. In case of minor damage to the skin or mucous membranes, pemphigus in children does not require any special treatment. As a rule, the disease goes away on its own in 7-10 days.

Your doctor may prescribe medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to relieve uncomfortable pain symptoms and lower your temperature.

If the symptoms do not disappear after 7 days, then you need to re-call the doctor at home to clarify the diagnosis or correct treatment.

Viral pemphigus in children. Treatment
Viral pemphigus in children. Treatment

In more severe cases, pemphigus in children can be undulating, with periods of imaginary recovery and exacerbation. If the process has affected a large area of the skin and mucous membranes, hospitalization of the child is necessary, since damage to the internal organs is possible. In this case, pemphigus in children can even threaten life.

In a hospital setting, treatment is carried out using cytostatic, corticosteroid, anabolic and steroid hormonal drugs, as well as potassium, calcium and vitamins. The duration of treatment depends on the condition of the child. At the first signs of regression of the blisters and the positive dynamics of treatment, corticosteroid drugs continue to be prescribed for some time, since their abrupt cancellation can provoke an exacerbation of the process. The dose of steroid drugs is gradually reduced to their minimum dosage, which is able to provide a maintenance effect.

In addition, a good result is obtained by complex treatment using hormonal drugs, cytostatic and immunosuppressive agents. Hormonal preparations are used both orally (prednisolone drug) and externally (betamethasone drug). After the disappearance of the rash, as a rule, hormones and cytostatics are canceled, and immunosuppressants continue to be taken for several more months. Viral pemphigus in children in severe form is not so common.

During treatment, it is imperative to control blood pressure and glucose levels in blood and urine.

It is necessary to strictly observe personal hygiene, change underwear and bed linen. Cleaning of the premises is carried out with the obligatory use of disinfectants. All these measures are taken to prevent re-infection.

Blood purification procedures (plasmapheresis and hemosorption) may be prescribed. This is necessary if, in addition to the diagnosis of pemphigus, children have concomitant diseases, such as diabetes or thyroid problems. Photochemotherapy is sometimes prescribed.

After discharge from the hospital, the child must be registered with a dermatologist.

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