How many times has a child presented to the emergency department with an unexplained rash? When should you worry, and when can you be sure it’s not life-threatening?

In her Thursday session, “The Death Rash: Lethal Rashes You Can’t Miss,” Emily A. Rose, MD, FACEP, FAAP, faculty in the department of emergency medicine at Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, will provide tips and tools for handling cases of rash. Plus, she said, there will be plenty of pictures. In fact, this is one of the most in-demand talks she gives.

“Rashes are always fun to talk about because every time we pick up a chart and that’s the chief complaint, sometimes it’s straight-forward and easy … and other times it’s intimidating and frustrating,” said Dr. Rose. “It’s nice to walk in and know exactly what it is.”

Dr. Rose hopes to shed light on the successful strategies she has used in caring for patients with rashes. “I’ve seen a lot of cases of necrotizing fasciitis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and I have learned tricks to reassure myself or confirm the diagnosis.”

“I’ve seen a lot of cases of necrotizing fasciitis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and I have learned tricks to reassure myself or confirm the diagnosis.” —Dr. Rose

Her talk will focus on the specific characteristics in the history and physical exam that indicate whether or not a rash is likely to be life-threatening, plus give emergency physicians the confidence to make that call.

Kelly Tyrrell is a health, science, and health policy writer based in Madison, Wisconsin.

Dr. Rose

The Death Rash: Lethal Rashes You Can’t Miss

Thursday, Oct. 29
11–11:50 a.m.
Room 107 ABC