LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Mandy Moore is speaking out about the health concern for her son. The 39-year-old actress revealed on Friday, July 28, via her Instagram Story that her toddler son, Gus, has been battling "a crazy rash" for almost a week. Moore's 2-year-old son, August, has been diagnosed with Gianotti-Crosti syndrome, which is a pediatric skin disorder that produces itchy, blistering rashes.
Moore shares two children with her husband Taylor Goldsmith - Gus and 9-month-old Ozzie. Moore first uploaded a photo of her oldest kid enjoying a lollipop after a doctor's appointment. The 'This Is Us' actress shared images of her oldest son Gus' rashes running down his legs and praised Gus' positive outlook on dealing with the ailment.
What is Gianotti-Crosti syndrome?
According to RareDiseases.net, Gianotti Crosti syndrome (GCS) is a rare childhood skin disease that causes blisters and a papular rash on the skin of the legs, buttocks, and arms. Skin lesions frequently persist for several weeks and last at least 10 days. The lesions are typically preceded by an underlying illness (typically a virus), which may result in concomitant symptoms such as sore throat, low-grade fever, or upper respiratory infection symptoms.
Acute hepatitis may also manifest in GCS patients with hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr, or cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. The hypersensitive reaction to the underlying infection is assumed to be the cause of GCS. Hepatitis B is frequently the underlying cause in many other nations, although it is rarely the case in North America.
'Kids are resilient'
The 'Princess Diary' actress stated on her Instagram Story on Friday that she spent the entire previous weekend switching between doctors in an effort to find out what led to the toddler's unexpected symptoms. Moore captioned a photo of Gus enjoying a lollipop at the doctor's office, writing, "This sweet boy woke up with a crazy rash on Saturday am." She explained how she and her husband, Goldsmith, initially believed it to be an "eczema flare" or "allergies" and how they tried everything "to help [Gus] find relief from the itch."
They eventually found the answers after visiting an urgent care center, a pediatrician, a dermatologist, and a pediatric dermatologist. The 39-year-old commented, "Turns out it’s a viral childhood rash that just spontaneously appears called Gianotti-Crosti syndrome," over a picture of Gus's legs covered in red blotches. Moore explained, "It’s all over his legs and feet (ouch) and the backs of his arms but nowhere else." The mother of two reported that despite his discomfort, her toddler was all "smiles and laughs" and went about his day "like the rockstar he is."
The 'Walk to Remember' actress was informed that the only available treatments were steroid creams and Benadryl, and even those may take up to 6–8 weeks to work. "All of that to say, this parenting thing is weird and hard and sometimes you feel so helpless (and yes I’m ever so grateful it’s only an itchy skin condition)," she said in her closing statement. "Kids are resilient and as long as he’s smiling through it, we are a-okay." Moore has been praised last year for sharing personal—and realistic—pictures from Ozzie's birth because of how open she has been about her experience as a mother.
