Wierd Rashes

[tompharm]

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What do you guys do when someone comes in and they show you a weird rash that they say they don't know where its from.

 

[a student]

hydrocortisone, go see physician? That's what I would say as an intern...

 

[Wheresmyaricept]

Look at it with feigned interest and then tell them hydrocortisone and if it doesn't improve in a few days to see a doctor.

 

[zelman]

Ask some simple questions (any new laundry detergents/body washes? any trips through poison ivy? etc) and then hydrocortisone and see a doctor.

Edit: and I guess we should ask if they started any new drugs associated with SJS, too.

 

[Jibby321]

Benadryl anyone?

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Ask them if anything has changed in their life (have they been outside messing with plants, new detergents, new living space, new pets, eating new foods, taking new drugs.)
Hydrocortisone + see physical examiner if no improvement in a few days, benadryl if an irritant or allergen are suspected.

 

[Old Timer]

Do your best to determine the cause of the rash? Where is it? How much of the body is involved? How long have they had it? Does it itch? Does it burn? Do they have fever? Viral infections are often accompanied by a rash. Have they started taking any new medications? Has the rash spread and from where to where?
Could be:

• Contact Dermatitis
• Ring Worm
• Insect Bite
• Drug Reaction
• Vital infection
• Shingles
• Many many more.

 

[DrWrong]

Ask them if anything has changed in their life (have they been outside messing with plants, new detergents, new living space, new pets, eating new foods, taking new drugs, sleeping with new people.)
Hydrocortisone + see physical examiner if no improvement in a few days, benadryl if an irritant or allergen are suspected.

FTFY

I live in a college town. It had to be said.

 

[BidingMyTime]

what everyone else said, for a general rash, hydrocortisone and possibly Benadryl depending on the circumstances of the rash. If it's all over the body, then just Benadryl, unless it appears to be viral. Tell them to follow up with their dr if no improvement. For a rash that appears to be shingles, tell them to go to their doctor, for ringworm, recommend an anti-fungal cream.