What Are Common Drug Eruptions in Children?

Discussion Drug reactions unfortunately are common in children and adults. These reactions have different but often overlapping appearances. Viral exanthams also often cloud the picture as these rashes can be because of the drug, the virus or both. Patients with urticaria multiforme present with an acute rash that appears as urticaria plaques that have a hemorrhagic or dusky discoloration. It occurs 1-3 days after viral symptoms (including cough, rhinorrhea, diarrhea) and may also present with fever. Morbilliform drug eruptions one of the most common drug reactions in children and usually occur 7-14 days after the onset of the medication, often amoxicillin. The rash is small, pink or red macules and papules that are diffuse and may coalesce. The rash can get worse with viral syndrome and can be mistaken for a viral exanthams, allergic exanthams or contact dermatitis. The rash usually improves in a few days. Fixed drug eruptions occur 7-14 days after exposure to a drug including sulfa, acetaminophen, and common antihistamines. The rash may come and go but is in the same “fixed” spot usually as opposed to true urticaria which comes and go. The rash is erythematous patches or plaques that are round or oval with a central purple or dusky discoloration. They can last for weeks and may leave temporary hypo- or hyperpigmentation. Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis occurs 1-14 days after drug exposure with pruritis and tiny sterile non-follicular pustules. Fe...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news