title: [Cutaneous adverse drug reactions: clinical aspects and identification].
abstract: Clinically, mucocutaneous adverse drug reactions are very variable and heterogenic. As they may strongly resemble other clinical pictures they regularly constitute a diagnostic challenge. Moreover, skin manifestations may mirror adverse drug reactions in other organs. Risk factors for cutaneous adverse reactions can be drug- or patient-related and are not always known. Cutaneous adverse drug reactions are usually mild and transient, but they can also be severe or life-threatening. Early recognition and adequate management is the key to preventing progression and restoring health. Supportive therapy may help to reduce the symptoms. Distinguishing between allergic and non-allergic reactions is important in deciding whether to withdraw the suspected medication. Confirming a suspected cutaneous drug reaction necessitates a stepwise approach. The strategy is focused on recognition and characterisation of the reaction pattern, and identification of the suspected medication, followed by adequate management.
authors.affiliation: Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, afd. Dermatologie, Groningen, the Netherlands. s.h.kardaun@umcg.nl
authors.forename: Sylvia H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kardaun
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005076:Exanthema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors