A Review of Fixed Drug Eruption with a Special Focus on Generalized Bullous Fixed Drug Eruption

Fixed drug eruption induced by Etoricoxib in Thailand: A case report

Etoricoxib, a commonly prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), has been associated with adverse cutaneous reactions, including fixed drug eruption (FDE). We describe a case report of a 37-year-old Thai male who developed erythematous plaques and bullous lesions following the ingestion of a 90 mg dose of Etoricoxib. The lesions were located on the lateral aspect of the right leg near the popliteal fossa, the dorsal aspect of the right foot, the medial aspect of the right arm, and the left lumbar region. Symptoms began two hours post-ingestion with pruritus, progressing to erythema and bullous formation over the subsequent 72 h. The patient was treated with oral Prednisolone, antihistamines, and topical steroids, resulting in significant clinical improvement within 12 days. This case highlights the potential of Etoricoxib to trigger generalized bullous fixed drug eruption (GBFDE), which is a more severe variant involving more than three body sites and classified as one of the Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCARs), emphasizing the need for prompt recognition and appropriate management to prevent recurrence and mitigate symptoms.

Cross-Reactivity: a Case of Paracetamol-Induced Generalized Bullous Fixed Drug Eruption Followed by Dipyrone-Induced Fixed Drug Eruption

A fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a recurring adverse drug reaction that manifests as lesions on the same cutaneous or mucosal sites after exposure to the causative drug. It is characterized by erythematous or violaceous, round-to-oval patches with a dusky center. With each recurrence, the number and size of lesions can increase, raising the risk for generalized bullous fixed drug eruption (GBFDE). GBFDE, a rare and severe variant, presents with widespread bullae accompanied by characteristic FDE lesions. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the primary causes of FDE. Although cross-reactivity between different groups of NSAIDs has been rarely reported in FDE cases, in this report we present a case of paracetamol-induced GBFDE followed by FDE triggered by cross-reactivity with dipyrone (metamizole).

Generalized bullous drug eruption triggered by ceftriaxone: a case report and literature overview

Ceftriaxone is a widely used third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic known for its efficacy and safety. However, hypersensitivity reactions, including rare cases of generalized bullous fixed drug eruption (GBFDE), have been reported. We present the case of a 68-year-old female with a history of multiple comorbidities who developed a generalized bullous drug eruption two days after initiating intravenous ceftriaxone for a suspected respiratory infection. Clinical evaluation revealed extensive bullae and erythematous patches sparing mucous membranes, with histopathology confirming drug-induced epidermal changes. Direct immunofluorescence ruled out autoimmune bullous disorders. Prompt discontinuation of ceftriaxone, systemic corticosteroids, and supportive topical treatments led to marked clinical improvement. This case underscores the importance of recognizing rare but severe cutaneous reactions to ceftriaxone. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to minimizing complications and ensuring favorable outcomes.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis induced by moxifloxacin and exacerbated by clindamycin in an elderly patient: A case report

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) is a severe skin-mucosal reaction induced by medications, commonly characterized by blister formation and widespread epidermal detachment. Typical causative agents include allopurinol, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and penicillin being the most frequently implicated among antibiotics. However, lincosamide antibiotics as the cause of aggravation are rarely reported in clinical settings. This case report presents a patient with TEN induced by quinolone antibiotics, who experienced rapid progression of the condition after combining with lincomycin antibiotics. Clinical remission was achieved through a combination of corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasma exchange therapy. This report aims to enhance clinicians' understanding of TEN by providing a detailed case presentation and discussion.

Fixed drug eruption in a cribriform pattern: an atypical presentation

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a distinct adverse drug reaction characterized by a well-defined, dusky, violaceous to erythematous patch that recurs at the same site upon re-exposure to causative drugs and resolves with hyperpigmentation. This unique reaction is a type IV hypersensitivity reaction mediated by memory CD8+ T cells that reside in the basal layer of the epidermis of the resting FDE lesion. Variants of FDE described in the literature include bullous, generalized bullous, nonpigmenting, linear, papular, erythema multiforme-like, transitory giant, annular, psoriasiform, erythema dyschromicum perstans-like and cellulitis-like. We present the case of a 12-year-old boy with FDE in a cribriform pattern that has not been defined so far.

Rare delayed hypersensitivity reactions to contrast media: Severe cutaneous adverse reactions

The risk of developing a severe delayed cutaneous reaction (SCAR) is very low following iodine-based contrast medium (ICM) administration and extremely low following gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) administration. However, SCAR can be very severe and potentially life-threatening. It is crucial for the imaging physician to recognize danger signals: bullous skin eruption, skin erosion and detachment, mucosal involvement, systemic symptoms, and laboratory abnormalities. Patients suspected of having a SCAR should be urgently referred to a drug allergy specialist or dermatologist. To prevent recurrence, consider exploring alternative imaging modalities and avoid administering the same type of contrast medium involved: if the culprit is a ICM, avoid all ICM and if the culprit is a GBCA, avoid all GBCA. In an allergy centre with experience in SCAR evaluation a careful allergologic analysis may be performed safely several months after the patient has recovered from SCAR. However, allergologic analysis is challenging due to the lack of reliable in vitro diagnostic tests and the risks of in vivo diagnostic tests, particularly drug provocation tests.

Ibuprofen-Induced Multiple Fixed Drug Eruption Confirmed by Re-Challenge: A Case Report and Literature Review

Background: Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a type of drug-induced skin inflammation characterized by the recurrence of lesions in the same region following repeated exposure to the causative drug. FDE typically presents as localized spots or plaques without systemic symptoms; however, it can manifest in other forms, such as blisters and papules. In FDE, effector memory CD8-positive T cells that remain dormant in the basal layer after a previous inflammation are reactivated upon re-exposure to the causative drug, leading to the development of erythema at the same sites. Case Presentation: Herein, we report the case of a 23-year-old man who developed ibuprofen-induced multiple FDE. The diagnosis was confirmed by detecting a rash immediately following ibuprofen administration, and histopathological findings were consistent with FDE. Ibuprofen is widely available as an over-the-counter medication, and patients may not always report its use-making the diagnosis of ibuprofen-induced FDE particularly challenging. Approximately 24 h following drug-induced CD8-positive T cell activation, regulatory T cells normally infiltrate the epidermis to suppress inflammation and promote resolution. However, in multiple FDE, CD8-positive T cell activity may outweigh that of regulatory T cells, causing uncontrolled inflammation and leading to the spread of poorly-demarcated lesions that can progress to severe drug reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). We reviewed 13 cases of ibuprofen-induced multiple FDE. Conclusions: Over-the-counter medications can cause multiple FDEs, and the repeated administration of the causative drug can result in severe reactions such as SJS/TEN. The early diagnosis and strict discontinuation of the causative drugs are therefore crucial.

Clinical cues for distinguishing bullous fixed drug eruption from Stevens-Johnson syndrome: A case report

This case report discusses two clinical encounters of a 62-year-old Hispanic woman initially hospitalized with suspected Stevens-Johnson syndrome, later correctly diagnosed with bullous fixed drug eruption during an outpatient visit for a similar eruption. The first encounter involved an extensive evaluation and an 11-day hospital stay, while the second was managed successfully as an outpatient with oral prednisone. This report highlights the importance of differentiating bullous fixed drug eruption from Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis and emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach between Primary Care Providers and Dermatology to ensure optimal patient care.

Update on Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: Diagnosis and Management

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are the most severe cutaneous adverse reactions that are typically drug-induced in adults. Both SJS and TEN have high morbidity and mortality rates. SJS/TEN imposes clinical challenges for physicians managing patients suffering from this condition, both because it is rare and because it is a rapidly progressing systemic disease with severe cutaneous, mucosal, and systemic manifestations. Although many cases of SJS/TEN have been reported in the literature, there is no consensus regarding diagnostic criteria or treatment. Significant progress has been made in understanding its genetic predisposition and pathogenesis. This review is intended to provide physicians with a comprehensive but practical SJS/TEN roadmap to guide diagnosis and management. We review data on pathogenesis, reported precipitating factors, presentation, diagnosis, and management SJS/TEN focusing on what is new over the last 5 years.

Pseudoephedrine-induced Fixed Drug Eruption in a Scuba Diver With Recurrent Palmoplantar Exfoliation

This report presents a case of pseudoephedrine-induced non-pigmented bullous fixed drug eruption (NBFDE) manifesting as recurrent palmoplantar exfoliation in a scuba diver. It emphasizes the importance of considering drug allergies in the differential diagnosis when divers present with peeling hands and soles. A 38-year-old female scuba diver experiencing recurrent palmoplantar exfoliation underwent a clinical evaluation, patch testing, an interferon-gamma enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay, and graded drug challenges with pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. Patch testing yielded negative results; however, the ELISpot assay indicated a strong immune response to pseudoephedrine. A graded challenge involving pseudoephedrine successfully reproduced the symptoms, confirming a diagnosis of pseudoephedrine-induced NBFDE. Subsequently, a challenge with phenylephrine elicited a milder reaction, suggesting it as a potential alternative medication for the patient. This case highlights NBFDE as a potential cause of skin peeling in scuba divers who are allergic to pseudoephedrine. It emphasizes the importance of considering drug allergies when diagnosing palmoplantar exfoliation in divers and underscores the need for a thorough evaluation of medication use in this group. Alternative medications and management strategies should be considered for divers with a pseudoephedrine allergy to prevent ear barotrauma while minimizing the risk of adverse skin reactions.

Atypical Presentation of Rapidly Progressive Cutaneous Metastases of Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma: A Case Report

Cutaneous metastases from clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRC) are uncommon and often indicate a poor prognosis. These metastases typically occur on the scalp, face, and trunk, and they can be difficult to diagnose due to their resemblance to benign dermatological tumors. We report the case of a 56-year-old patient with a history of ccRC (TNM stage 4) who was referred to our dermatology department with two rapidly enlarging, painful lesions on the left jawline and scalp, which had developed one month and one week earlier, respectively. On examination, the lesions appeared as well-defined, round to oval plaques with a central ulceration and a peripheral red rim, suggestive of an inflammatory appearance. Dermoscopic examination revealed a structureless pink to orange pattern, atypical central vessels, and irregular linear vessels in a corona-like arrangement. Despite the patient's stable oncological treatment for six months, pain management had recently included paracetamol, tramadol, and NSAIDs. The primary presumptive diagnosis was of cutaneous metastasis, considering the patient's history of metastatic ccRC. However, given the recent initiation of new pharmacological agents, the rapid progression of the cutaneous lesions, and their clinical presentation, alternative differential diagnoses were considered, including drug-induced reactions such as erythema multiforme or fixed drug eruption. A biopsy of the facial lesion revealed immunohistochemical positivity for CD10, CAIX, and PAX8, confirming the diagnosis of metastatic ccRC with sarcomatoid differentiation. Unfortunately, despite continued targeted therapies and palliative care, the patient's condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to death two months later. This case highlights the potential for extremely rapidly evolving cutaneous metastases from ccRC and their capacity to occasionally mimic atypical drug eruptions. Additionally, it reaffirms the poor prognosis of such metastases, as evidenced by the patient's death within two months.

[Delayed hypersensitivity reactions to drugs: Group Report of the Drug Allergy Committee of the Mexican College of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (CMICA).]

BACKGROUND

Adverse drug reactions are defined as unexpected reactions, either derived from the pharmacokinetics of the treatment (Type A) or as a host immune response (Type B), resulting in harmful or undesirable manifestations in the patient following the administration of pharmacological therapy. Type B reactions are less defined and are considered a result of hypersensitivity to pharmacological treatment, categorized as immediate (within 1 to 6 hours after exposure) and delayed or non-immediate (occurring 6 hours after exposure).

OBJECTIVE

A review to describe the immunological mechanisms of delayed hypersensitivity reactions to drugs.

METHODS

A search of major medical databases on delayed hypersensitivity reactions to drugs was conducted. The review was limited to articles published in the period between 2013 and 2023, taking into consideration articles written in English and Spanish.

RESULTS

The terms defining delayed hypersensitivity reactions to drugs, their classification, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment algorithms, and prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Adverse drug reactions represent a challenge for the specialist physician, with a complex pathophysiology. A prompt diagnosis and treatment focused on the drug phenotype and its immunological expression are required to provide a multidisciplinary approach.

Fixed drug eruption-induced balanoposthitis: a case report

Fixed Drug Eruptions (FDE) represent a distinctive type of adverse drug reaction, typically characterized by recurring, sharply demarcated skin lesions occurring at identical sites with each administration of the causative drug. A less frequent, albeit significant manifestation of FDE, is balanoposthitis, an inflammatory condition affecting the glans penis and prepuce. This rare case report explores the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and therapeutic management of FDE-induced balanoposthitis in a 34-year-old male patient who developed this condition following azithromycin administration to treat a pulmonary infection. The patient's distinctive symptoms, coupled with a medical history of similar antibiotic-induced reactions, pointed strongly towards an FDE diagnosis. Management entailed immediate discontinuation of the offending drug and initiation of symptomatic treatment, culminating in a positive therapeutic outcome. This case illuminates the potential of commonly prescribed medications, such as antibiotics, to incite balanoposthitis via FDE. It underscores the critical need for healthcare professionals to include FDE in their differential diagnosis for balanoposthitis, especially when patient exposure to high-risk medications is evident. Furthermore, the report emphasizes the pressing requirement for additional research to elucidate the pathogenesis of FDE-induced balanoposthitis and to devise effective therapeutic and preventive measures.

Drugs and the skin: A concise review of cutaneous adverse drug reactions

Drug-induced skin disease or cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs) are terms that encompass the clinical manifestations of the skin, mucosae and adnexa induced by a drug or its metabolites. The skin is the organ most frequently affected by drug reactions, which may affect up to 10% of hospitalized patients and occur in 1-3% of multimedicated patients. Most CADRs are mild or self-resolving conditions; however, 2-6.7% of could develop into potentially life-threatening conditions. CADRs represent a heterogeneous field and can be diagnostically challenging as they may potentially mimic any dermatosis. Currently, there are between 29-35 different cutaneous drug-reaction patterns reported ranging from mild dermatitis to an extensively burnt patient. The most frequently reported are maculopapular rash, urticaria/angioedema, fixed drug eruption and erythema multiforme. Less common but more severe patterns include erythroderma, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis spectrum. Almost any drug can induce a CADR, but antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antiepileptics are the most frequently involved. Different mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of CADRs, although in some cases, these remain still unknown. CADRs could be classified in different ways: (i) type A (augmented) or type B (bizarre); (ii) immediate or delayed; (iii) immune-mediated or nonimmune-mediated; (iv) nonsevere or life-threatening; and (v) by their phenotype, including exanthematous, urticarial, pustular and blistering morphology. Recognizing a specific CADR will mostly depend on the ability of the physician to perform a detailed clinical examination, the proper description of the morphology of the skin lesions and supporting laboratory and/or skin biopsy findings.

Severe cutaneous adverse reactions

Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), which include Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (also known as drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome), acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, and generalized bullous fixed drug eruption, are life-threatening conditions. The pathogenesis of SCARs involves T cell receptors recognizing drug antigens presented by human leukocyte antigens, triggering the activation of distinct T cell subsets. These cells interact with keratinocytes and various immune cells, orchestrating cutaneous lesions and systemic manifestations. Genetic predisposition, impaired drug metabolism, viral reactivation or infections, and heterologous immunity influence SCAR development and clinical presentation. Specific genetic associations with distinct SCAR phenotypes have been identified, leading to the implementation of genetic screening before prescription in various countries to prevent SCARs. Whilst systemic corticosteroids and conventional immunomodulators have been the primary therapeutic agents, evolving strategies, including biologics and small molecules targeting tumour necrosis factor, different cytokines, or Janus kinase signalling pathways, signify a shift towards a precision management paradigm that considers individual clinical presentations.

Triggers, clinical manifestations and assessment of paediatric fixed drug eruptions: A systematic review of the literature

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a cutaneous drug reaction characterised by recurrent skin lesions occurring at the same site after each exposure to a causative agent. There is currently limited evidence in the paediatric population. The objective of this systematic review is to investigate the clinical features, causative agents and management of paediatric FDE. A systematic search of the English and French literature on paediatric FDE was conducted using the Medline and Embase databases. After full-text article review, 92 articles were included, representing a total of 233 patients. Antibiotics were the most frequent triggering agents, mainly sulfonamides (65.0% of antibiotics). Systemic symptoms were rare, and most patients only received supportive therapy. One hundred and six patients (106) performed a test to confirm the causative agent. Of these, 72.6% had oral provocation tests (OPTs) and 28.3% had patch tests. The patient's age, presence of bullous lesions and mucosal lesions were similar between tested and untested patients. It did not seem to influence the decision to perform OPTs. Paediatric FDE is a non-severe skin drug reaction. Antibiotics were the most reported triggering agents. Drug testing, including oral provocation test, was safely performed in the paediatric population.

Single-dose ibuprofen induced Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Key Clinical Message

Ibuprofen single dose may rarely induce Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, emphasizing the vital need for heightened vigilance in healthcare and public awareness for safer medication practices.

Abstract

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a severe and potentially life-threatening skin disorder associated with certain medications, including ibuprofen. We present a case of a 45-year-old woman who developed SJS following a single dose of ibuprofen. Despite its rarity, this case underscores the importance of heightened vigilance in healthcare and public awareness regarding the potential risks of commonly used medications. Prompt recognition of SJS symptoms and immediate medical intervention are crucial for patient outcomes. Healthcare providers should exercise caution when prescribing ibuprofen, particularly in patients with a history of adverse drug reactions. This case emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring, patient education, and informed decision-making to promote medication safety and optimal patient care.

Cytotoxic dermatitis: Review of the interface dermatitis pattern in veterinary skin diseases

Interface dermatitis or lichenoid interface dermatitis refers to a cutaneous inflammatory pattern in which keratinocyte cell death is the essential feature. These terms have evolved from the originally described lichenoid tissue reaction. These lesions are the basis for an important group of skin diseases in animals and people where cytotoxic T-cell-mediated epidermal damage is a major pathomechanism. Yet, for largely historical reasons these commonly used morphological diagnostic terms do not reflect the essential nature of the lesion. An emphasis on subsidiary lesions, such as the presence of a lichenoid band, and definitions based on anatomical features, such as location at the dermo-epidermal location, may cause confusion and even misdiagnosis. This review covers historical aspects of the terminology, including the origin of terms such as "lichenoid." The types of cell death involved and the histopathologic lesions are described. Etiopathogenesis is discussed in terms of aberrations of immune/inflammatory mechanisms focusing on cutaneous lupus erythematosus, erythema multiforme, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis. Mechanisms have most extensively been studied in humans and laboratory animals and the discussion is centered on these species. As interface dermatitis is firmly entrenched in dermatological parlance, rather than using "cytotoxic" as its substitute, the terminologies "interface cytotoxic dermatitis" and "panepidermal cytotoxic dermatitis" are recommended, based on location and extent of epithelium affected.

Case report: Generalized bullous fixed drug eruption mimicking epidermal necrolysis

Generalized bullous fixed drug eruption (GBFDE) is the most severe form of fixed drug eruption and can be misdiagnosed as epidermal necrolysis (EN). We report the case of a 42-year-old male patient presenting with more than 50% skin detachment without defined areas of exanthema or erythema and a history of one prior event of EN caused by acetaminophen (paracetamol), allopurinol, or amoxicillin 1.5 years ago. The initial diagnosis was GBFDE or EN. The histology of a skin biopsy was unable to distinguish between the two diseases. The course of the disease, the later clinical presentation, and the medical and medication history, however, were in favor of a diagnosis of GBFDE with two potentially culprit drugs: metamizole and ibuprofen. Moxifloxacin, enoxaparin sodium, hydromorphone, and insulin human were administered concomitantly, which makes them suspicious as well. Unfortunately, the patient received an additional dose of metamizole, one of the possible causative drugs, and he developed another bullous reaction within 1 month. This led to the diagnosis of GBFDE due to metamizole. This report highlights the challenges of distinguishing two rare diseases and elucidates the importance of distinct clinical presentation and detailed medication history.

The Role of Sex and Gender in Dermatology - From Pathogenesis to Clinical Implications

BACKGROUND

Sex and gender have increasingly been recognized as significant risk factors for many diseases, including dermatological conditions. Historically, sex and gender have often been grouped together as a single risk factor in the scientific literature. However, both may have a distinct impact on disease incidence, prevalence, clinical presentation, severity, therapeutic response, and associated psychological distress.

OBJECTIVES AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The mechanisms that underlie differences in skin diseases between males, females, men, and women remain largely unknown. The specific objectives of this review paper are:To highlight the biological differences between males and females (sex), as well as the sociocultural differences between men and women (gender) and how they impact the integumentary system.To perform a literature review to identify important sex- and gender-related epidemiological and clinical differences for various skin conditions belonging to a range of disease categories and to discuss possible biological and sociocultural factors that could explain the observed differences.To discuss dermatological skin conditions and gender-affirming treatments within the transgender community, a population of individuals who have a gender identity which is different than the gender identity they were assigned at birth.

FUTURE IMPACT

With the rising number of individuals that identify as non-binary or transgender within our increasingly diverse communities, it is imperative to recognize gender identity, gender, and sex as distinct entities. By doing so, clinicians will be able to better risk-stratify their patients and select treatments that are most aligned with their values. To our knowledge, very few studies have separated sex and gender as two distinct risk factors within the dermatology literature. Our article also has the potential to help guide future prevention strategies that are patient-tailored rather than using a universal approach.

Acute Immune-Mediated Lesions of the Oral Cavity

Although acute immune-mediated lesions of the oral cavity (AIML) can have an onset over several months, they often demonstrate rapid onset and can be self-limited. Despite the self-limiting nature of some disorders, patients with AIML can have significant pain and multisystem involvement. It is vital for the oral health care provider to arrive at the proper diagnosis with distinction from overlapping conditions, as the oral manifestations may be harbingers of more serious systemic complications.

Urticaria: A Narrative Overview of Differential Diagnosis

Urticaria is an inflammatory skin disorder that may occur in isolation or associated with angioedema and/or anaphylaxis. Clinically, it is characterized by the presence of smooth, erythematous or blanching, itchy swelling, called wheals or hives, which greatly vary in size and shape and last less than 24 h before fading to leave normal skin. Urticaria is the consequence of mast-cell degranulation that can be caused by immunological or non-immunological mechanisms. From a clinical point of view, many skin conditions can mimic urticaria and their recognition is mandatory for a correct management and therapeutic approach. We have reviewed all of the main relevant studies which addressed differential diagnosis of urticarial, published until December 2022. The National Library of Medicine PubMed database was used for the electronic research. The present review offers a clinical narrative overview, based on the available literature, of the principal skin disorders that can be misdiagnosed as urticaria (mainly autoinflammatory or autoimmune disorders, drug-induced reactions, and hyperproliferative diseases). The aim of this review is to provide clinicians a useful tool for correctly suspecting and identifying all of these conditions.

Photobiomodulation Therapy for Multiple Painful Fixed Drug Eruptions: The First Case Report

Introduction: Fixed drug eruption (FDE), a very specific adverse drug reaction and one of the most common types of drug eruption, generally resolves spontaneously within 7-10 days upon withdrawal of the causative agent; however, extensive and severe cases may also require systemic drug therapy. The present study aimed to report a case in which a broad spectrum of severe, painful lesions of FDE was managed with photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT). Case Report: A 31-year-old Caucasian woman presented with many extremely painful mucocutaneous lesions of FDE which had arisen 8 days before, following a long period of hospitalization. The lesions were not responsive to either corticosteroids or analgesics within 5 days, and then seven daily sessions of PBMT were proposed. Pain alleviation was achieved on the 1^st day of PBMT, and the lesions showed an advanced course of healing on the 3^rd day. Within 7 days of PBMT, the lesions were almost completely repaired. In a 3-month follow-up period, no relapse of any FDE lesion was reported. Conclusion: PBMT may be a promising strategy for the management of painful lesions of FDE refractory to conventional medication therapy. However, further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Azithromycin-Induced Generalized Nonbullous Fixed-Drug Eruption

Azithromycin-induced severe cutaneous reactions occur rare. We report a case of azithromycin-induced generalized nonbullous form of fixed-drug eruption (FDE). A 19-year-old male consulted the dermatology department for multiple painful oval-shaped, sharply defined, and hyperpigmented patches on his chest, abdomen, and upper limbs after consuming oral azithromycin tablets for his sore throat. The generalized nonbullous form of FDE was diagnosed, and the offending drug was stopped immediately. He was treated with antihistamines and steroids, and recovered on follow-up. This FDE is reported due to the spareseness of documentation from South India and to improve the awareness among the prescribing physicians about this severe cutaneous reaction (FDE) for a commonly used drug. This case report gives insight to the clinicians and health-care workers on rare side effects caused by the commonly used antimicrobial agent, azithromycin.

Hypopigmented penile fixed drug eruption

Fixed drug eruptions (FDE) are typically associated with residual hyperpigmentation or non-pigmenting lesions. There is no distinctive histopathological feature; though, drug provocation tests (DPT) can be confirmatory within 7 days. We describe a patient with penile FDE associated with residual hypopigmentation, a prolonged refractory period to DPT and recurrent meatal stenosis.

Fixed drug eruption after the Sinopharm COVID‐19 vaccine

After coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) became widespread around the world, several vaccines have been developed with variable efficacy and potency and based on different platforms to control the pandemic. One of these vaccines is Sinopharm (BBIBP‐CorV), which is an inactivated virus that was released by Sinopharm's Beijing institute in the summer of 2020. The most commonly reported side effects of the Sinopharm vaccine have included pain at the injection site, muscle pain, headache and fatigue. Dermatological reactions are also reported as less common and were mainly local injection site reactions. Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a rare and unusual adverse effect and accounts for less than 1% of all severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccine‐related cutaneous manifestations. FDE has not been reported following the COVID‐19 inactivated vaccine. Here, we describe a rare case of FDE following the administration of the first shot of the Sinopharm vaccine.