Shingles is an acute, unilateral, painful blistering rash caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV). It peaks at 70+ years and affects men and women equally. Phases of shingles Phase Description Prodrome Crusting within 10 – 12 days of…
Chickenpox is a common, highly infectious illness caused by primary infection with the varicella zoster virus (VZV). Diagnosis is clinical. Treatment is supportive. It peaks at 6 – 15 years and affects men and women equally.
Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a severe systemic illness caused by the release of superantigens by Staphylococcus aureus. The superantigens stimulate an overwhelming immune response. The diagnosis is clinical. It peaks at 6 – 15 years and is more…
Kawasaki disease is a small-medium vessel vasculitis that commonly affects children. It is a clinical diagnosis. Stages of Kawasaki disease Stage Description Acute febrile stage Fever abates. There is also desquamation of the digits, thrombocytosis, and development of coronary artery…
Scarlet fever is a childhood disease that is caused by a reaction to erythrogenic toxin produced by Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS). Scarlet fever is primarily a clinical diagnosis based on fever, pharyngitis, and the classical scarlatiniform rash. It peaks at 4…
Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy – aka pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy – is a benign, self-limited skin condition that is characterised by erythematous papules and urticarial plaques during the third trimester or immediate postpartum period. It typically affects…
Pityriasis rosea is a self-limiting skin disorder characterized by a solitary oval-shaped herald patch followed by smaller erythematous papulosquamous lesions in a characteristic ‘Christmas tree’ distribution along Langer lines. It is associated with HHV-6 and HHV-7 reactivation. Pityriasis rosea vs…
Periorificial dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disorder that is characterised by eruption of multiple erythematous papules and pustules around the orifices – eyes, nose, and mouth. Most cases are associated with topical steroids or cosmetics. It commonly affects young women.
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection caused by molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) – a DNA pox virus. It appears as skin-coloured white papules with central umbilication.
Keratoacanthoma is a rapidly growing, self-resolving, low-grade cutaneous tumour; it is often mistaken for squamous cell carcinoma. It presents as a solitary, dome-shaped nodule with a central keratin-filled crater.
