DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST
for Rash

Why: to determine if acute or chronic.

Why: e.g. may suggest scabies, chicken pox, impetigo, meningococcal disease.

Why: e.g. atopic dermatitis (eczema), hives, scabies, dermatitis herpetiformis, asteatosis (dry skin).

Why: may provide information concerning contact dermatitis.

Why: e.g. perfumes, hair sprays etc may cause allergic contact dermatitis.

Why: e.g. asthma, hayfever - increases the chance of atopic dermatitis (eczema).

Why: e.g. eczema may be aggravated by soap, frequent washing, chlorinated water, bubbles baths, sweating (because it is drying), sand pits, winter months, extremes of hot and cold weather, emotional stress, wool clothing or blankets, chemical disinfectants, detergents, scratching or rubbing, pregnancy, menstruation and various food stuffs.

Why: e.g. Celiac disease may be associated with dermatitis herpetiformis; presence of other allergic type conditions such as asthma, hives and hay fever increase the risk of atopic dermatitis; varicose veins may suggest varicose eczema (patches of dry scaly skin that overlie leg varicose veins); Erythema nodosum may be associated with sarcoidosis, inflammatory bowel disorders (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) and some infections (streptococcal, tuberculosis, leprosy and fungal infections); necrobiosis lipoidica is often associated with diabetes mellitus.

Why: some medications may cause sensitivities such as aspirin, morphine and codeine.

Why: e.g. food allergies, insect allergies, drug allergy.

Why: e.g. allergies, psoriasis, eczema.

Why: e.g. exposure to fiberglass may cause a generalized sensitivity; allergic contact dermatitis e.g. contact with resins, rubber, latex, dyes.

Why: may suggest chicken pox, serum sickness, eczema herpeticum, exfoliative dermatitis, severe allergic contact dermatitis from poison ivy.

Why: e.g. a very itchy rash may suggest hives, atopic dermatitis, scabies, skin lice, insect bites, chicken pox, dermatitis herpetiformis; a mild to moderate itchy rash may suggest tinea, psoriasis, drug eruption, pityriasis rosea, candida or lichen simplex.

Why: may suggest psoriasis or tinea.

Why: suggests systemic lupus erythematosus.

Why: e.g. itchy, red, dry, scaling, cracked skin. The typical distribution changes as the person grows older. In infants the rash is usually on the cheeks of the face, the folds of the neck and scalp. It may then spread to the limbs and groin. During childhood a drier ad thicker rash develops in front of the elbow, behind the knees and on the hands and feet, which may be dry, itchy, cracked and painful. Rarely does eczema have an adult onset.

Why: e.g. may range from faint redness to severe swelling, symptoms are often worse in area around the eyes, genitals and on hairy skin, symptoms are least on hairless skin such as palms and soles. Allergic contact dermatitis is usually confined to the site of exposure to the allergen.

Why: e.g. red lesions that enlarge and develop a silvery scale. The commonest sites are the backs of the elbows and knees, then the scalp, sacral areas, genital and nails.

Why: e.g. may start with cough, headache, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and then progress to spiking fevers, chills, aching joints and muscles. Later drowsiness, hemorrhagic rash most commonly on trunk and extremities but can be anywhere, and low blood pressure. May have stiff neck and dislike for light.

Why: e.g. fever, malaise, tiredness, Raynaud's syndrome, butterfly shaped facial rash. Systemic lupus erythematosus may be complicated by protein in the urine.

Why: e.g. flushing of the face with increases in skin temperature, acne-like rash over the face. May be complicated by blepharitis, conjunctivitis, episcleritis or corneal ulcers.

Why: e.g. shortness of breath, cough, tiredness, skin symptoms occur in 10% of cases and may include purple or brown plaques or nodules on face, nose, ears and neck in chronic sarcoidosis.

Why: e.g. muscle weakness, muscle tenderness, muscle pain, purple colored rash on face (especially on the eyelids, upper cheeks and forehead), swelling round the eyes, red rashes, pain in joints, Raynaud's phenomenon, difficulty swallowing, fever, weight loss, tiredness.