Did you guess that this skin mystery was a fixed drug eruption? You’re right! Dr. Joel Schlessinger correctly diagnosed this rash after three other doctors misdiagnosed it. Turns out, it was caused by a common cold medicine.
Dr. Joel Schlessinger says fixed drug eruptions can be caused by prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
A fixed drug eruption is a type of allergic reaction to a medicine where a rash occurs at the same sites whenever a drug is taken. The rash develops anywhere between 30 minutes to eight hours after taking the medicine. It usually appears as a round or oval patch of redness, sometimes accompanied by swelling or a blister. Over time, the rash can fade to a purple or brown color.
Fixed drug eruptions can mimic other dermatologic conditions, Dr. Joel Schlessinger explains.
Fixed drug eruptions are hard to diagnose as they often resemble other skin conditions. For example, the most common type of drug eruption is a morbilliform, a red-spotted rash that looks like measles. This is why it’s important to be examined by a doctor if you notice a change in your skin. A board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Joel Schlessinger will be able to pinpoint the problem and determine the best treatment.
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