Drug rashes
Disease Information
In-Depth
Drug rashes, the body's reaction to a certain medication, can range from mild to severe. These can include:
- Rashes caused by an allergic reaction to the medication
- Rashes produced as an unwanted effect of a particular medication
- Rashes due to hypersensitivity to sunlight caused by the medication
- Drug rashes may be severe and require hospitalization. Contact your child's physician immediately.
What are the different types of rashes caused by drugs?
| Type of Rash | Symptoms | Possible Cause |
|---|---|---|
|
pimples and red areas that appear most often on the face, shoulders and chest |
anabolic steroids, corticosteroids, bromides, iodides and phenytoin |
|
|
Exfoliative dermatitis |
red, scaly skin that may thicken and appear on the entire skin area |
antibiotics that contain sulfa, barbiturates, isoniazid, penicillins, and phenytoin |
|
Fixed drug eruption |
a dark red or purple rash that confines itself to the same area on the skin (usually the mouth or genitals) |
antibiotics and phenolphthalein (found in certain laxatives) |
|
raised red and white bumps |
aspirin, certain drug dyes and penicillins |
|
|
Morbilliform/maculopapular rash |
a flat, red rash which may include pimples similar to the measles |
antibiotics and barbiturates are the more common causative drugs; however, any drug can cause this rash |
|
Purpuric eruptions |
purple areas on the skin, usually on the legs |
some anticoagulants and diuretics |
|
Stevens-Johnson syndrome |
blisters or a hive-like rash on the lining of the mouth, vagina or penis |
antibiotics that contain sulfa, barbiturates, penicillins and other antibiotics |
