Drug eruptions (a series of 148 cases)

A total number of 148 patients, comprising of 101 males and 47 females diagnosed as drug eruptions were reviewed. The youngest patient was eight and the oldest 73 years. The mean age was 34 years. 75(50.7%) patients were in the age group of 20 to 40 years. In 88(59.5%) pruritus was the chief associated symptom. 116(78.4%) developed eruptions within 2 weeks. 29(19.6%) had single site involvement, 92(62.2%) had lesions at more than one site and 25(16.9%) patients had generalised skin and mucous membrane involvement. The commonest skin reactions were fixed drug eruptions in 39(26.4%) cases. Almost all types of drug eruptions were observed. The eruptions were caused by 37 different drugs, the commonest being sulphonamides in 28(18.9%) cases. Systemic side effects were recorded in 13(8.8%) patients. 76(51.4%) were treated with topical medicaments. Out of the remaining, 33(22.3%) were managed by antihistamines and 26(17.6%) by steroids in addition to topical therapy. No treatment was required in 13(8.8%). 117(79.1%) were treated as out patients and 31(20.9%) were hospitalised. One (0.7%) patient died of toxic epidermal necrolysis due to penicillamine.