Id reactions (also known as "disseminated eczema," and "generalized eczema") are types of acute dermatitis developing after days or weeks at skin locations distant from the initial inflammatory or infectious site. They can be localised or generalised. This is also known as an autoeczematous response and there must be an identifiable initial inflammatory or infectious skin problem which leads to the generalised eczema. Often intensely itchy, the red papules and pustules can also be associated with blisters and scales and are always remote from the primary lesion. It is most commonly a blistering rash with itchy vesicles on the sides of fingers and feet as a reaction to fungal infection on the feet, athletes foot. Stasis dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, acute irritant contact eczema and infective dermatitis have been documented as possible triggers, but the exact cause and mechanism is not fully understood. Several other types of id reactions exist including erythema nodosum, erythema multiforme, Sweets syndrome and urticaria. Presentation
Complications
Id reactions left untreated may become infected with bacteria. Causes
Causes include infection with dermatophytosis, Mycobacterium, viruses, bacteria and parasites. Eczematous conditions including contact allergic dermatitis and stasis dermatitis as well as stitches and trauma have also been associated with id reactions. Radiation treatment of tinea capitis has been reported as triggering an id reaction.
Treatment
Id reactions are frequently unresponsive to corticosteroid therapy, but clear when the focus of infection or infestation is treated. : 81  Therefore, the best treatment is to treat the provoking trigger. Sometimes medications are used to relieve symptoms. These include topical corticosteroids, and antihistamines. If opportunistic bacterial infection occurs, antibiotics may be required. Prognosis
A full recovery is expected with treatment. Recurrent id reactions are frequently due to inadequate treatment of the primary infection or dermatitis and often the cause of recurrence is unknown. Epidemiology
With no particular affinity to any particular ethnic group, seen in all age groups and equally amongst males and females, the precise prevalence is not known. History
The suffix -id has its origins in Greek, referring to a father–son relationship. Josef Jadassohn (1863–1936), the German dermatologist that coined the term id, had observed a dermatophytosis causing a secondary allergic skin dermatitis. In 1928, Bloch recorded that the peak of the dermatophyte infection corresponded with the id reaction. See also
Candidid
Dermatophytid
Leukemid
List of cutaneous conditions

References


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