Maculopapular rashes
Revision as of 20:09, 17 August 2022 by Rossdonaldson1 (talk | contribs)
Background
Rash Red Flags[1]
- Fever
- Toxic appearance
- Hypotension
- Mucosal lesions
- Severe pain
- Very old or young age
- Immunosuppressed
- New medication
Dermatology Nomenclature
Small lesions (<0.5cm)
| Name | Raised/Palpable | Fluid-Filled | Other Description | Diagram |
| Macule | No | None | flat, cirumscribed, colored | |
| Papule | Yes | None | Solid | |
| Vesicle | Yes | Clear | ||
| Pustule | Yes | Pus | Leukocytes or keratin |
Large lesions (>0.5cm)
| Name | Raised/Palpable | Fluid-Filled | Other Description | Diagram |
| Patch | No | None | Large macule (flat, colored) | |
| Plaque | Yes | None | Superficially raised, circumscribed solid area | |
| Nodule | Yes | None | Distinct large papule | |
| Bulla | Yes | Clear | Large vesicle/blister or exposed epidermal layer | |
| Wheal | Yes | Edema | Firm and edema of dermis |
Other
- Eschar
- Fissure/erosion/ulcer
- Necrotizing rashes
Clinical Features
Differential Diagnosis
Maculopapular rashes
- Infectious
- Noninfectious
Evaluation
- Frequently a clinical diagnosis based on ruling-out more dangerous causes
- See differential diagnosis section (above)
- Consider whether or not the patient has a fever or is toxic appearing (dangerous diagnosis)
- Look at lesion distribution
Management
- Based on presumed cause
Disposition
- Based on presumed cause
See Also
- [[General approach to rashes]
References
- ↑ Nguyen T and Freedman J. Dermatologic Emergencies: Diagnosing and Managing Life-Threatening Rashes. Emergency Medicine Practice. September 2002 volume 4 no 9.
