Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis: an enigmatic drug-induced reaction

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a diffuse pustular disorder that is primarily drug induced and characterized by acute, extensive, small, nonfollicular, sterile pustules that usually begin in intertriginous folds with widespread edema and erythema. This article reports a case in which thalidomide, dexamethasone, or meloxicam may have been the etiologic agent to induce AGEP and the skin condition may have worsened with administration of additional medications during hospital admission. A good thorough medical history, including a drug history, along with clinicopathologic correlation is extremely important in a patient presenting with acute diffuse pustular lesions.