Less common infectious exanthematous diseases II.

Overview

The differential diagnosis of childhood exanthems is often highly challenging. In everyday clinical practice, pediatricians encounter not only the classic viral infectious exanthems, but also allergic eruptions associated with drug and food intolerance, urticarial exanthems of both immunologic and non-immunologic origin, and parainfectious exanthematous eruptions accompanying a wide range of common viral infections. Certain types of exanthems are also characteristic of chronic dermatologic disorders (e.g., atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen planus). In addition, exanthems may represent a clinical manifestation of systemic diseases, including autoimmune disorders.

In this second article, the author reviews several exanthems of known etiology in which diagnostic errors are common, as well as certain clinically well-defined exanthematous entities that are nevertheless often overlooked during pediatric examination. Familiarity with these conditions enables the pediatrician to better estimate disease duration, provide more targeted therapy, and frequently reassure concerned parents.

Keywords:

scabies – exanthematous diseases – APEC – eczema coxsackium – hot tub folliculitis – congenital cutaneous candidiasis