Necrotizing rashes
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
Necrotizing rashes visual diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis
Necrotizing rashes
- Necrotizing soft tissue infections
- Purpura fulminans
- Drug rash
- Levamisole toxicity
- Heparin-induced skin necrosis
- Warfarin-induced skin necrosis
Evaluation
Management
- Based on presumed cause
Disposition
- Based on presumed cause
See Also
References
- ↑ Nguyen T and Freedman J. Dermatologic Emergencies: Diagnosing and Managing Life-Threatening Rashes. Emergency Medicine Practice. September 2002 volume 4 no 9.