Sweet Syndrome may sound harmless—almost charming—but it’s anything but. Officially known as acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, this rare inflammatory condition can arrive suddenly and make you feel miserable just as fast. It often shows up with fever, fatigue, and painful skin lesions that look alarming and feel worse.
While Sweet Syndrome isn’t contagious and isn’t caused by anything you did “wrong,” understanding it can help you recognize warning signs early and reduce the chances of triggering a flare.
What Is Sweet Syndrome?
Sweet Syndrome is an immune-system–driven inflammatory disorder. For reasons that aren’t always clear, the body sends large numbers of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) into the skin and sometimes other tissues. This immune overreaction leads to:
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Painful red or purple skin bumps or plaques
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Fever and flu-like symptoms
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Joint pain or muscle aches
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Fatigue and malaise
The skin lesions often appear on the face, neck, arms, or upper body and can develop rapidly over a matter of days.
What Triggers Sweet Syndrome?
Sweet Syndrome is usually linked to an underlying trigger rather than occurring on its own. Common associations include:
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Infections, especially upper respiratory or gastrointestinal infections
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Autoimmune or inflammatory conditions
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Certain cancers, particularly blood-related cancers
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Medications, such as some antibiotics or drugs that stimulate white blood cell production
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Pregnancy, in rare cases
In some people, no clear cause is ever found. This is known as idiopathic Sweet Syndrome.
Is Sweet Syndrome Dangerous?
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