Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis rash: What to know – Medical News Today
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is an outdated term that refers to a group of arthritic conditions that usually start in a person’s childhood or teenage years and may continue into adulthood. Most doctors now use the term juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or JIA. Often, one of the…….
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is an outdated term that refers to a group of arthritic conditions that usually start in a person’s childhood or teenage years and may continue into adulthood. Most doctors now use the term juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or JIA. Often, one of the first symptoms of JIA is a rash with or without a fever.
These arthritic conditions cause inflammation in the joints and sometimes in the internal organs.
This article describes JIA rashes and outlines some of the other symptoms associated with the condition. It also provides information on how doctors diagnose and treat JIA.
JIA is an umbrella term that comprises six subtypes of arthritis:
Children with juvenile PsA or systemic JIA subtypes may develop a rash, in which the skin becomes inflamed, irritated, and discolored.
General symptoms of juvenile PsA
Children with juvenile PsA typically experience joint symptoms, usually in the following joints:
- the wrists
- the fingers
- the knees
- the ankles
Juvenile PsA may also cause an itchy, scaly rash. This rash may develop before the joint symptoms or afterward.
General symptoms of systemic JIA
Around 10–20% of children with JIA have systemic JIA. This subtype affects the entire body, including the joints, skin, and internal organs.
Some symptoms of systemic JIA include:
- a rash
- a high fever of 103°F (39.4ºC) that typically spikes in the evening
- joint pain that is typically worse in the morning or after long periods of stillness
Below are some symptoms associated with JIA subtypes that can cause a rash.
Juvenile PsA rash
Juvenile PsA rash typically presents as a flushed patch of skin that may appear silvery-white in areas due to an accumulation of dead skin cells. The rash is usually itchy or painful.
Although it may develop anywhere on the body, it most commonly affects the following areas:
- the scalp
- the elbows
- the knees
This rash is persistent and does not usually present with a fever.
Systemic JIA rash
Systemic JIA rash is typically a flat, pale, non-itchy rash. It may appear on one of the following areas:
- the abdomen
- the arms
- the legs
Unlike juvenile PsA rash, systemic JIA rash may last only a few minutes to a few hours. Also, it usually presents with a fever.
Healthcare professionals do not know the exact cause of JIA. However, it is likely that some children …….
Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/juvenile-rheumatoid-arthritis-rash