Highlights & Basics
- Miliaria, in all forms, is due to the occlusion or disruption of the eccrine sweat ducts at various levels of the skin due to excessive sweating in hot or humid environments.
- Miliaria crystallina consists of nonfolliculocentric, asymptomatic, fragile, clear vesicles that rupture easily with prompt self-resolution.
- Miliaria rubra consists of nonfolliculocentric, erythematous papulovesicles with associated pruritus.
- Miliaria profunda consists of nonfolliculocentric, pruritic flesh-colored papules as a result of multiple bouts of miliaria rubra. This form of miliaria is often associated with anhidrosis of the affected skin and can result in heat exhaustion.
- The main treatment of choice for all forms of miliaria is placement of the patient in a cool environment.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Images
Miliaria crystallina in hospitalized febrile patient
Miliaria rubra
Noninflammatory fragile fluid filled blisters of miliaria crystallina
Small tightly grouped inflammatory papules of miliaria rubra.
Deep inflammatory papules of miliaria profunda
Micrograph demonstrates the presence of herpes simplex virus in a Tzanck smear
Photomicrograph of miliaria crystallina showing noninflammatory subcorneal blister (H&Ex100)
Photomicrograph of miliaria rubra showing intraepidermal acrosyringeal spongiosis and underlying chronic inflammation (H&Ex400)
Photomicrograph of miliaria profunda showing chronic inflammation centered on an eccrine duct in the dermis (H&Ex40)
Citations
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