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Erythematous rash
From WikEM
Contents
Background
- These rashes can occur in a variety of inflammatory and infectious conditions, some of which can be rapidly fatal
Rash Red Flags[1]
- Fever
- Toxic appearance
- Hypotension
- Mucosal lesions
- Severe pain
- Very old or young age
- Immunosuppressed
- New medication
Clinical Features
- Characterized by diffuse red skin from capillary congestion, mimicking a bad sunburn.
Differential Diagnosis
Erythematous rash
- Positive Nikolsky’s sign
- Febrile
- Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (children)
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis (adults)
- Afebrile
- Febrile
- Negative Nikolsky’s sign
Evaluation
- First, try applying lateral pressure to the skin and see if it sloughs (Nikolsky’s sign)
- Then, to further narrow the differential, consider wither or not the patient is febrile or toxic in appearance
- Patients with an erythematous rash plus fever are also at high risk for having a deadly diagnosis
Management
Disposition
See Also
External Links
References
- ↑ Nguyen T and Freedman J. Dermatologic Emergencies: Diagnosing and Managing Life-Threatening Rashes. Emergency Medicine Practice. September 2002 volume 4 no 9.
