32. Cutaneous Skin Reactions Flashcards
Dx?

Erythema Multiforme
Viral infections that cause Erythema Multiforme
HSV (50%)
Mycoplasms
Other viral
Drugs that cause Erythema Multiform
less then 10%
NSAIDs
Sulftas
Antipileptics
Antibiotics
What clinical features do I see with Erythema Multiform?

Arise after the HSV lesions have crusted and formed
See abrupt onset of target lesions
Common on hands, feet, and acral
Prodrome is rare and non-toxic
What the heck is this?

Oral involvment of Erythema Multiforme
Recommended tx for this patient?

suspect Erytherma Multiforme
Tx with topical steriods and pain managment if mild
If severe mucosal involvment prednisone is option (controversial) and get consult with opthomology!
42 yo woman presents with eruption for one day… started off as small macules on the chest and over the course of the day has worsended to most of her body.
Rahs is itchy and painful. Pt has hx of bipolar and started lamotrigine 2 weeks ago with no know drug allergies.
NO facial edema or lymphadenopahty. Dx?

Exanthematous Drug Eruption
Describe what Exanthematous drug eruption looks like
innumerable pink
macules coalescing into
patches on the head, trunk,
and extremities.

Most common Drug reaction:
Occurs mostly with what types of drugs:
• AKA morbilliform drug rash
• Most common drug reaction
– Can occur with any drug
– Most common: antibiotics, anticonvulsants
What type of hypersensitivity is Exanthematous Drug Eruption?
• Idiosyncratic delayed (type IV) immune
reaction
Clinical Feature of Exanthematous Drug Eruption
Color/characteristic
Location
Other signs:
• Numerous pink macules and barely palpable
papules
• Starts on the face and trunk, then spreads to
extremities
• Pruritic
• Fever and mucosal involvement are typically
absent
What is the Course of Disease for Exanthematous Drug Eruption?
Onset
– 2-14 days after starting medication
– Subsequent occurrences have faster onset
– Can start even after finishing treatment (e.g.
antibiotic)
Patient started new drug about a week ago. Now presentes with numerous pink macules and barely palpable paplues. Started on her face and trunk and spread to extemeties. It is itchy with a lack of mucosal involvement and no fever. What is the recommended tx for patient?

Exanthematous Drug eruption
Discontinue culprit drug if possible
• Supportive care for pruritus
– Oral antihistamines
– Topical corticosteroids
• Resolution
– Spontaneously resolves in 1-2 weeks
– Can resolve even with continuation of drug
The rash is itchy but not painful. She has had fever up to 38.9°C. She has a history of bipolar disorder and was started on lamotrigine 4 weeks ago. She has no known drug allergies. facial edema and bilateral cervical
lymphadenopathy on exam. She has innumerable pink macules coalescing into patches on the head, trunk, and extremities. Dx?

DRESS
What labs do we expect to see in patient with DRESS?
CBC: (2 things)
Liver Panel: (3)
Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine: (1)
– WBC normal
• 15% eosinophils (↑)
– H/H and platelets normal
• Liver panel
– AST 126 (↑) and ALT 208 (↑)
– Alk phos and bilirubin normal
• Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine normal
How is DRESS different then Exanthematous Drug Eruption
Type IV hypersensitivity
• More common in adults
• Later onset 2-8 weeks after drug initiation
Most common medications that cause DRESS
– Anti-epileptics
– Sulfonamides
– Minocycline
– Allopurinol
– Anti-retrovirals
What clinical features do we look for in a patient with DRESS?
Cutaneous involvement
– Most commonly morbilliform
– Other cutaneous patterns sometimes seen
• Facial edema
• Lymphadenopathy
• Fever
Common organ involvement in DRESS
Most common organs involved
– Liver: elevated transaminases
– Hematologic: eosinophilia, atypical lymphocytes
– Kidney: mild nephritis
If a pt has liver involvment in their DRESS, what would we expect to see clinically?
Morbilliform eruption with ascites
and jaundice from liver
involvement.
Recommended Tx for mild DRESS
• Identify and stop the culprit drug
• Mild cases treated with supportive care
– Topical corticosteroids
– Oral antihistamines
Recommended tx for severe DRESS?
Severe cases
– Systemic corticosteroids
– May require hospitalization
Long term affects we can see with DRESS
• Autoimmune diseases may develop later
– Autoimmune thyroiditis
– Diabetes mellitus
– Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Pt has DRESS and wants to know if this is really serious as well as how long it will take to get better.. What should we tell them to expect?
- 10% mortality rate despite treatment
- Slow resolution over weeks or months












