Allergic Reactions: Pruritic Dermatitis

Two days after beginning therapy with amlodipine, this 30-year-old woman noticed a pruritic, erythematous, macular dermatitis on her ankles. It spread proximally to the lower abdomen over 3 days and at 1 week covered her entire body. The woman was treated with prednisone, and the rash resolved within the next 2 weeks.

Generalized vasculitis-type reactions such as this one are uncommon. Suspect a drug-related cause when you encounter one until you can prove otherwise.

(Case and photograph courtesy of Robert P. Blereau, MD.)