Maculopapular rash

A maculopapular rash is a type of rash characterized by a flat, red area on the skin that is covered with small confluent bumps. The term "maculopapular" is a compound: macules are small, flat discolored spots on the surface of the skin; and papules are small, raised bumps. It is also described as erythematous, or red.

This type of rash is common in several diseases and medical conditions, including scarlet fever, measles, secondary syphilis, erythrovirus (parvovirus B19) and heat rash. It is also a common manifestation of a skin reaction to the antibiotic amoxicillin or chemotherapy drugs. Cutaneous infiltration of leukemic cells may also have this appearance. Maculopapular rash is seen in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) developed after a blood transfusion. In GVHD reactions such as maculopapular rash the can be seen within one week or several weeks after the blood transfusion. In the case of GVHD, the maculopapular rash may progress to a condition similar to toxic epidermal necrolysis. Additionally, this is the type of rash that patients who present with Ebola hemorrhagic (EBO-Z) fever will reveal. It is also seen in patients with Marburg hemorrhagic fever, a filovirus not unlike Ebola.

This type of rash can be as a result of large doses of niacin or no flush niacin (2000 – 2500 mg), used for the management of low HDL cholesterol. Additionally, a maculopapular rash is a classical sign of a meningitis.

See also

• List of cutaneous conditions