Case Study: An Undefined Rash

The Setting

You are leading a weeklong college backpacking trip. One of your participants develops a rash on their belly that begins to spread…

SOAP Report

Subjective

The patient is a 19 year-old-male who developed a skin rash.

Objective

Patient Exam

At 8:00 p.m. the patient has a red raised bumpy rash that does not have blisters. They state it began this morning on their belly and has spread through the day to cover most of their abdomen and the front of their thighs. The rash produces a constant itching. It covers about 10% of their body surface area (BSA).

There is no chest tightness, no shortness of breath, and no respiratory involvement.

Vital Signs

History

STOP READING!

What is your assessment and plan? Take a few minutes to figure out your own assessment and make a plan. Don’t cheat—no reading on without answering this first!

Assessment

• Allergic reaction with unknown cause.
• Possible non-allergic rash.

Plan

• Start the patient on Benadryl® 50 mg every 6 hours.
• Keep an instructor with the epinephrine provided by the program close to the patient.
• Monitor the rash.
• We would like to have the patient bathe and wash their clothes, but the scarcity of water makes it unlikely.
• Develop an evacuation plan.

Anticipated Problems

The reaction becomes anaphylaxis.

Comments

There are a wide variety of causes of rash ranging from allergies to infections and insect bites, among others. Wilderness First Responders are not trained to identify a rash or its cause, although in this case, and based on a worst case scenario, allergy is on the problem list, with anaphylaxis on the anticipated problem list.

Allergic reactions are caused by an excessive release of histamines and other substances from the body’s immune system in response to the presence of foreign allergens, such as pollens, animal dander, foods, plant oils, insects, and drugs.

Allergic reactions range from mild (e.g., hay fever) to severe (e.g., anaphylaxis) and they can be immediate or delayed. For most people, the allergic response is mild, though often irritating. Hay fever, runny nose, sneezing, swollen eyes, itching skin, are examples of a mild allergic response. An allergic reaction may also be local, red, swollen, and itching, the result of insect stings or contact with a plant.

Signs and Symptoms of a Mild to Moderate Allergic Reaction

• Local swelling near a sting
• Runny nose, sneezing, swollen eyes, hay fever
• Flushed and itchy skin
• Hives or welts on the skin
• Mild or no breathing difficulty

Antihistamines treat the underlying reaction, the release of too much histamine, and are commonly used for these reactions. At the same time, it's important to monitor the patient closely for a developing severe reaction. If you can figure out what may be causing the reaction—pollen released by trees or dust in an old cabin, for example—get away from the source.

An anaphylactic response is a massive, generalized reaction of the immune system that is life-threatening. Instead of the mild symptoms of hay fever, anaphylaxis can produce swelling of the throat, rapid pulse, a fall in blood pressure, rash, itching, hives, flushed skin, swollen and red eyes, tearing of the eyes, swelling of the feet and hands, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The airway obstruction and shock may be fatal. Onset usually occurs within a few minutes of contact with the triggering substance, although the reaction may be delayed.

Signs and Symptoms of Anaphylaxis

• Flushed and itchy skin
• Hives and welts on the skin
• Swollen face, lips, and tongue
• Respiratory distress
• Shock

Anaphylaxis is treated with the prompt administration of epinephrine.

The Tale Continues…

The Benadryl relieved some, but not all, of the itching. The patient was very uncomfortable and unable to sleep. In the morning the rash now covers about 30% of their body surface area; the lower back, abdomen and front of their thighs. There is no respiratory involvement. Patient is able to walk without shortness of breath. They have scratched a few places into abrasions.

Updated Plan

Evacuate the patient by walking. Carry the cell phone in case their condition worsens. Rendezvous with vehicle at trailhead and drive to the hospital for physician evaluation. Continue administering the Benedryl® 50 mg every 6 hours.

Comments

Concern for an anaphylactic reaction is present. These leaders noted the spreading rash. They also noted that there were no signs or symptoms of respiratory problems or shock. They made a sound plan, with options in case the patient’s condition worsened.Both the patient’s discomfort and the continuing reaction are good reasons to evacuate. These allergic responses commonly can take days to resolve and may need treatment with steroid medications.

End of the Tale

The patient was able to walk to the trailhead. They remained uncomfortable due to the itching rash and fatigued from lack of sleep. They arrived at the hospital and a steroid was administered by the physician. The rash persisted for another 24 hours, then abated. Its cause was never identified.

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