It is categorized as classical, malignancy-associated, or drug-induced.
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Reproduced with permission from A DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Classification of Sweet Syndrome
Sweet syndrome is classified into three clinical types.
Classical:
Malignancy-associated:
Drug-induced:
What Causes Sweet Syndrome?
In up to 50% of cases, Sweet syndrome is driven by an underlying condition.
It is typically considered a reactive condition.
Symptoms of Sweet syndrome can appear before an underlying cause is identified.
Who Is Most at Risk for Sweet Syndrome?
Classical Sweet syndrome is up to 15 times more common in women than men.
There is no apparent racial disparity.It is acting like more common in people who carry the HLA-B54genetic marker.
About one-third of people who experience classical Sweet syndrome will have a recurrence.
How Do You Treat Sweet Syndrome?
Sweet syndrome may resolve without treatment, but this could take weeks to months.
In cases of malignancy-associated Sweet syndrome, treatment of the underlying cancer often resolves the symptoms from Sweet syndrome.
With drug-induced Sweet syndrome, stopping the medication that is causing the issue can address the Sweet syndrome.
All forms of Sweet syndrome are typically treated with corticosteroids, such asmethylprednisoloneor prednisone.
Symptoms can resolve quickly with this treatment.
Sweet syndrome may also be treated with medications such as:
How Is Sweet Syndrome Diagnosed?
These may include:
Reports of fatalities from Sweet syndrome are uncommon.
This condition is classified into three types.
Classic Sweet syndrome affects mostly women in their 30s to 50s.
Malignancy-associated is associated with cancer, particularly blood cancers.
Drug-induced is associated with taking certain medications, especially granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.
Sweet syndrome is usually treated with corticosteroids, but other medications may be used.
The condition usually clears without issue, but recurrences are common.
Complications such as lasting pigmentation marks may occur.
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