rash

Introduction

A skin eruption with inflammation, may be used in reference to dermatitis.

Etiology

• skin infection
  • scabies
  • exanthem
• drug eruption
• also see dermatitis
• also see differential diagnosis of skin lesions by body region

Clinical manifestations

• characterize the skin lesions of the rash
  • erythema
  • papules
  • nodules
  • macules
  • bullae
  • vesicular lesions
  • wheals
• characterize the distribution of the rash
• associated pruritus ?
• associated fever ?
• worse at night ?

Laboratory

• microscopic examination of skin scraping
  • use mineral oil if scabies suspected
  • use 20% KOH if fungus suspected
  • microscopic examination prior to discontinuation of drug if infection/infestation suspected
• other labs dependent upon suspected etiology

More general terms

• sign/symptom
• inflammation
• skin disease (dermatologic disorder, dermatopathy, dermatosis)

More specific terms

• dermatitis
• drug eruption; drug rash
• exanthem
• fever & rash
• heliotrope rash; heliotrope suffusion of eyelids
• malar rash (butterfly rash)
• periorbital violaceous rash
• reticular rash
• shawl sign
• V sign
• volar rash; palmar rash

Additional terms

• bulla; bleb
• erythema
• macule
• nodule
• papule
• pruritus (itching)
• vesicular lesion; blister
• wheal; welt