title: Cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While most patients who present with a rash have no associated systemic illness, many systemic illnesses have skin manifestations at some stage.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article uses case vignettes to illustrate a problem oriented approach to five commonly presented skin conditions that have common and varied systemic associations. A logical sequence of management for each case is provided.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Often the skin manifestations of systemic disease are vague and nonspecific such as the toxic erythema that might follow a viral infection or a drug eruption. Sometimes it is the systemic manifestations that are vague and nonspecific, while the skin manifestations are highly specific and define the illness. There is currently no useful classification for cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease.
authors.affiliation: St Vincent's Hospital, Victoria.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cahill
authors.forename: Rodney
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sinclair
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000175:diagnosis; D004893:Erythema Nodosum / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015434:Panniculitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D017511:Pyoderma Gangrenosum / Q000175:diagnosis; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D001098:Spider Bites / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis