UrgentEmergency Guide
Skin rash: Red Flags & Emergency Signs
A non-blanching rash with fever is meningococcal septicaemia until proven otherwise — pre-hospital IM benzylpenicillin saves lives.
🚨 Call 999 / 112 Immediately
- ⚠Non-blanching petechial or purpuric rash with fever — meningococcal septicaemia (IM benzylpenicillin 1.2g, call 999)
- ⚠Rapidly spreading rash with throat swelling and breathlessness — anaphylaxis
- ⚠Painful blistering rash on mucous membranes and skin — Stevens-Johnson syndrome (drug reaction emergency)
- ⚠Rash with erythroderma (>90% skin involved, red and hot) — toxic epidermal necrolysis
⚡ See a Doctor Today
- •New rash with fever and recent antibiotic or NSAID use — drug hypersensitivity
- •Rash with joint swelling, fever, and malaise in a child — reactive arthritis or Kawasaki disease
- •Rash with target lesions — erythema multiforme (can be precursor of SJS)
High-Risk Combinations
When skin rash occurs together with any of these symptoms, urgency increases significantly:
Conditions to Rule Out Urgently
Anaphylaxisemergency
IM adrenaline; 999; lie flat; monitor for biphasic reaction
Meningococcal Septicaemiaemergency
IM/IV benzylpenicillin; 999; ICU; prophylaxis for contacts
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / TENurgent
Stop culprit drug; burns unit; ophthalmology
Condition Authority Pages
Differential diagnosis analyses:
When to Call Emergency Services
- →Any non-blanching rash — press a glass on it; if you can still see it through the glass = 999
- →Rash spreading rapidly with throat swelling or breathing difficulty