Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis in the ambulatory care setting

Abstract

Introduction: Cutaneous symptoms are highly common in patients presenting to their primary care providers. However, severe cutaneous adverse reactions are most likely to present to the urgent care and emergency departments. Physicians practicing in routine primary care clinics should also be familiar with the presentation, early diagnosis, and treatment of severe drug reactions that may present to ambulatory clinics at the early clinical stages. Case Report: Here we present a case of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis which developed in the setting of exposure to unknown brands of sunscreen and aloe vera in an otherwise healthy 19-year-old male. Upon presenting to his primary care physician all possible inciting agents were discontinued and systemic involvement was rule out. He recovered completely within two weeks of eliminating all potential exposures to inciting agents. Conclusion: Proper triage, workup, treatment, and disposition are essential in cases of acute, rapidly progressive rashes, even when identification of the offending agent may not be apparent. Ambulatory care providers should be familiar with the diagnosis of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis and its management, especially since many of the causative drugs are obtained on an outpatient basis. (This page in not part of the published article.) International Journal of Case Reports and Images, Vol. 7 No. 9, September 2016. ISSN – [0976-3198] Int J Case Rep Images 2016;7(9):587–591. www.ijcasereportsandimages.com Hubbard et al. 587 CASE REPORT OPEN ACCESS Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis in the ambulatory care setting LT Mark C. Hubbard, LT John C. Walsh, LCDR Megan A. Brelsford