What Causes Rashes And Swelling Of Fingers, Wrists And Toes?

Posted on Mon, 2 Jun 2014

Question: My infant daughter has swelling of her fingers, wrists, toes, ankles, knees. Her CRP has been above 20. Negative for Rheumoatoid and ANA. Scars on both corneas. Bloated Stomach. She was put on prednisone which immediately removed her inflamation but it returned as soon it was tapered. She has been on methotextrate for3 months and that doesn't seem to be working. She used to have a rash everytime she was in the sun, but this is not happening with her treatment. This started at 7 months after she was treated for pneumonia with amoxycillian and then 1 month later she came down with an undiagnosed virus which seemed to have triggered the rashes and inflammation.

Answered by Dr. Uma Rajah Ananth (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
on proper treatment!

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Sorry to hear about the small child suffering from these problems.

This looks like like some strange viruses like Chi Chen gunya which affects the points very badly.

Steroids like predinisolone typically have such effects .

XXXXXXX effects are common with immunology suppressants like steroids and methotrexate and should be watched for.

If it is viral induced there is chance for good recovery with time!

God bless

Dr Uma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Uma Rajah Ananth (39 minutes later)

Hi, she has never travelled to Africa or Asia where it looks like this virus is.

So you have no suggestions?

Answered by Dr. Uma Rajah Ananth (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
still likely infective

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Still considering the age of onset I would go in for infective causes like viruses,congenital syphilis,adenoviruses, etc.

Esr should be high in the range of 50 and above in other rheumatological conditions. You have not mentioned the infant's ESR.

CRP is a non specific marker of infection/Inflammation.

There are few cases of rheumatoid arthritis in infants with such presentation.

Good luck

Dr uma

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad