While most skin problems are easily diagnosed and treated by a dermatologist, some rashes can be dangerous or even deadly. Rocky Mountain spotted fever, acute meningococcal meningitis and toxic shock syndrome are among the diseases characterized by rashes as early diagnostic clues. Speaking today at the American Academy of Dermatology's 2000 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, dermatologist Lisa A. Drage, MD, assistant professor of medicine in the Department of Dermatology at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., discussed rashes that can be a valuable diagnostic clue for patients and their physicians.
Rashes have many visible signs including pimples, lumps, bumps and blisters.
Often they are dry, scaly, red and itchy. However, proper treatment depends on the right diagnosis and the diagnosis may determine an underlying problem much more serious than a simple rash. Although most rashes are not life-threatening, some must be treated seriously. A dermatologist is trained to tell which rashes require more extensive medical testing and treatment. Simple itching may be a symptom of a serious underlying disorder of the kidney, liver, thyroid or even Hodgkin's disease.