Hi everyone.

[Cinsweetcin]

Hi. I’m Cindy from Gold Coast Australia. Was diagnosed with Sweets in Feb 2015. Only ever had one big outbreak at that initial time. I suffer from constantly itchy skin and live on anti histamines. Aching joints headaches. Vertigo. I have just recently learnt that all These can be linked to sweets syndrome. My doctor isn’t very knowledgable on sweets. Going to see another doctor tomorrow that will hopefully help me get answers and a better treatment plan.

Does anyone have suggestions for tests I should ask for??

Looking forward to getting control of this not so pleasant disease and getting to know some of you all that understand what it’s like to go through all this

[Shell567 Administrator Sweet's Syndrome UK]

Hi Cindy,

This article provides a good overview of Sweet's syndrome (SS): dermnetnz.org/topics/acute-...

The steroid, prednisone, is the commonest treatment for SS, but other medications are sometimes needed. This is a full-list of treatment options: helpforsweetssyndromeuk.wor...

SS skin lesions don't normally itch, but some patients do experience severe itching. Headaches and aching joints are fairly common symptoms. Dizziness isn't common, but it has been associated with SS. This is list of SS symptoms: helpforsweetssyndromeuk.wor...

In 50% of SS patients there is a trigger for their condition, but in 50% there isn't. When there is a trigger, these include infection, particularly upper respiratory tract infection (one of the commonest triggers); cancer (15-20%); inflammatory bowel disease, e.g. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis; autoimmune conditions, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus; medications (12%); immunodeficiency; vaccination (very rare. Only 11 cases reported in medical literature in the past 42 years).

Other potential yet very poorly understood triggers for SS include pregnancy (up to 2%); skin damage; overexposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light.

Cindy, as you were diagnosed with SS in 2015, cancer has probably already been ruled out. When SS does develop secondary to cancer, the patient normally develops cancer within 6 months of SS diagnosis. I don't know if your doctor has ruled out an autoimmune condition, but it would be a good idea to do so.

Michelle.