Maculopapular, Rash

<p>Morphology, duration, and distribution

Initial considerations in evaluating the maculopapular rash include the morphology, duration, and distribution. Age, gender, family history, medications, known allergies, and exposures are also of primary importance.</p>

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<li>Lesions are typically erythematous or reddened, due to the presence of inflammation.</li>

<li>Commonly, the eruption in a given patient is a combination of macules, papules, patches, plaques, and even other morphologies, though one morphology may predominate.</li>

<li>Age may be the single most important predictive factor of diagnosis. In the absence of other data, maculopapular rash in adults is most likely drug related, while maculopapular rash in children is most likely viral related.</li>

<li>The duration of the eruption may be acute (recent onset, <4 weeks), subacute (4-8 weeks), or chronic (>8 weeks). These time frames are arbitrary.</li>

<li>An acute eruption often has a specific trigger, such as an allergic (e.g., medication) or infectious (e.g., viral) exposure. The distribution of the eruption can be localized or generalized.</li>

<li>Other clinical factors, including the presence of fever, headache, and other signs of illness, are of great importance. Some conditions with a serious clinical course have a maculopapular eruption as a presenting sign and evaluation should be carried out urgently.</li>

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