This four-year-old child is brought in by his mother with an itchy rash , which had spread over the previous two days . What is the diagnosis likely to be ?

This man presents with a one-day history of a blistering rash on his lip . You notice he was seen 10 days ago with a chest infection and given antibiotics . What could this be ?

Chickenpox Shingles Pompholyx eczema Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Chickenpox Shingles Pompholyx eczema Stevens-Johnson syndrome

This man comes in with an itchy rash , limited to his torso . Do you recognise the rash , and what is the cause ?

Chickenpox Shingles Pompholyx eczema Stevens-Johnson syndrome

This 20-year-old woman presents with vesicular lesions on her hands and wrists . The itching is worse when she sweats . What is this condition ?

Chickenpox Shingles Pompholyx eczema Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Answers 1 Chickenpox A common infection in children , which is caused by the varicella zoster virus . It is usually self-limiting but children who are immunocompromised ( due to disease or drugs ) may need hospital admission . 2 Stevens-Johnson syndrome A severe drug reaction that can sometimes be fatal . It presents one to three weeks after the drug was given . Depending on the severity , management may involve oral or topical steroids and admission for intravenous immunoglobulins . 3 Shingles A viral infection of a nerve and the skin served by that nerve . It is caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus , often many years after it initially presented as chickenpox . Management is usually with acyclovir and analgesia . 4 Pompholyx eczema Sometimes presents in patients with no past history of eczema or other atopic conditions . The vesicles feel deep and are extremely itchy . Management is with topical steroids .

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