Contents
- Gibert’s dandruff – what is it?
- Gibert’s dandruff – causes
- Gibert’s dandruff – clinical symptoms
- Gibert’s dandruff and flu-like symptoms
- Gibert’s dandruff – diagnosis
- Gibert’s dandruff – treatment
- Gibert’s dandruff in pregnancy – what should you watch out for?
- Gibert’s Dandruff in Children – How Common is it?
- Gibert’s dandruff – is it recurring?
- Gibert’s Dandruff – is it contagious?
- Gibert’s dandruff – how to care for the skin?
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Although dandruff is associated only with the scalp, Gibert’s pink dandruff is present only on the body. It is characterized by lesions of a pink-salmon color, which usually disappear spontaneously. What are the main causes of Gibert’s dandruff? Is it easy to diagnose skin disease? We check what the treatment of pink dandruff looks like, and whether it can appear in pregnancy.
Gibert’s dandruff – what is it?
Gibert’s Dandruff was first described in 1860. It is a skin rash disease that may go away on its own. It most often appears on the torso and limbs, avoiding the hairy skin, hands and soles of the feet. Gibert’s dandruff can also attack the groin.
Although the etiology of the disease is not fully known, there are studies that confirm its viral nature, including its association with viruses such as HBV, HSV-1, HSV-2, cytomegalovirus and parvovirus – B19. The viral etiology is also confirmed by the seasonality of pink dandruff, as well as the fact that it occurs in large clusters of people.
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The disease most often affects people between the ages of 10 and 35 – but there are exceptions, as the youngest patient diagnosed with PR was three months old, and the oldest – 83 years old.
Gibert’s dandruff – causes
The causes of Gibert’s dandruff, as well as its etiology, are not fully understood. Scientists most often link skin disease with the body’s immune response to the herpes virus (HHV-7).
However, Gibert’s dandruff does not appear in everyone, therefore a genetic predisposition to the appearance of lesions is also suspected. Dandruff can attack both younger and older people. The disease is diagnosed all over the world.
Gibert’s dandruff – clinical symptoms
The main clinical symptom of pink dandruff is the occurrence of skin lesions on selected parts of the body (trunk, groin, limbs).
A mother plate appears on the body, also called heraldic plaque, which has an oval shape and erythematous, finely scaly edges. The lesion gradually increases in size, reaching a diameter of 3 cm (or more).
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After approx. 2 weeks, smaller stains may appear along it. However, there are cases where lesions developed without a mother plate or its localization was difficult due to the location of the lesion (e.g. around the perineum). Some changes may also be edema or vascular in nature.
In addition, some pink dandruff skin lesions are atypical. This applies primarily to their size, color, location, severity of symptoms or the clinical course of the disease. Efflorescence may be of the following nature:
- vesicular – most often 2-6 mm in diameter, accompanied by itching. They occur in children, adolescents and adults,
- hemorrhagic – ecchymoses appear on the palate, which are also accompanied by purpura,
- papular – the spots have small lumps. This type of eruption is most commonly seen in children,
- hives – eruptions are itchy, resembling blisters.
The size of the lesions with pink acne can vary from small to giant eruptions. There are cases of patients who have been diagnosed with inverted disease – the lesions have affected the face, hairy skin, hands and feet. However, these are rare symptoms, similar to changes in the oral mucosa. Most often, pink dandruff lasts from 2 to 6 weeks.
Unique locations for eruptions include the eyelids, penis, hairy skin, and fingers and toes.
Gibert’s dandruff and flu-like symptoms
In addition to the appearance of skin eruptions, the patient may notice other symptoms that are mistakenly identified as developing a cold or flu. Belong to them:
- Headache,
- sore throat,
- weakness,
- gastrointestinal disorders,
- muscle and joint pain,
- increase in body temperature.
Also check: What are the most common causes of itchy skin?
Gibert’s dandruff – diagnosis
In the case of skin lesions that itch and hurt or do not want to go away on their own, you should visit a dermatologist. Typical symptoms guarantee correct diagnosis, however, in the case of irregular eruptions, the disease should be distinguished from syphilis, seborrheic dermatitis or nodular eczema.
In the case of an atypical course of the disease, a histopathological examination is recommended.
Gibert’s dandruff – treatment
Most often pink dandruff is a self-limiting disease, the symptoms of which disappear after about 6 weeks. In this case, it is better not to give the patient any medications that can exacerbate the itching. However, if the itching of the skin continues, histamine H1 blockers or ointments that contain corticosteroids may be given.
Gibert’s dandruff in pregnancy – what should you watch out for?
Gibert’s Dandruff is often diagnosed in pregnant women. However, the disease does not affect the development of the fetus if the expectant mother received an appropriate diagnosis from the attending physician.
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However, the treatment of PR in pregnant women may be difficult due to the dangers of taking corticosteroids and antihistamines. Future mothers can only use oiling and moisturizing creams that will alleviate itching.
Gibert’s Dandruff in Children – How Common is it?
Pink dandruff in children under the age of 10 is very rarely diagnosed. However, if they do appear, they are lumpy. Discoloration may also occur.
Gibert’s dandruff – is it recurring?
In most cases, Gibert’s dandruff is non-recurring. Only a small number of patients developed eruptions within 18 months of the first diagnosis of the disease.
However, the total number of PR bouts is difficult to accurately estimate as patients rarely return to the same dermatologist after an illness.
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Gibert’s Dandruff – is it contagious?
Most often, Gibert’s dandruff is the result of an upper respiratory tract infection. Therefore, in this case, it cannot be said to be directly infectious. However, if a household member has Gibert’s Dandruff, there is a risk of infection. It is lower than with a cold.
Gibert’s dandruff – how to care for the skin?
With Giberta dandruff, you should pay attention to proper skin care, which should be lubricated and properly moisturized. It is worth choosing body lotions containing delicate ingredients (e.g. shea butter). The composition of the cosmetic may include allantoin, which soothes irritations.
When bathing, it is better to give up strong cleansing agents and peels. A gentle washing olive will be sufficient in this case.