Erythematous Rashes - THE ALGORITHMIC APPROACH Characterized by diffuse redness of the skin due to capillary congestion, erythematous rashes (Figure 2, page 9) are differentiated from other rashes based on the presence or absence of fever and the Nikolsky sign. If these factors are present, the diagnosis is narrowed substantially, usually to TEN in adults and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSS) in infants and young children. If fever is present without the Nikolsky sign, the differential diagnosis includes Kawasaki disease, scarlet fever, and toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Those patients with an erythematous rash but without a fever or Nikolsky sign may be having an anaphylactic reaction or an exposure reaction to scombroid or alcohol. #Diagnosis #Dermatology #Erythematous #Rash #Algorithm #Nikolsky #Febrile #Fever #Differential
