The Morbilliform Eruption: Differentiation and Treatment of Viral, Low-risk Drug, Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions, and GVHD

In this session, Dr. Ben Kaffenberger, a dermatologist at Ohio State University, discusses the differentiation and treatment of morbilliform eruptions in patients, especially within a hospital environment. He emphasizes the importance of identifying low-risk versus high-risk skin reactions to guide treatment decisions effectively. Key learning objectives include recognizing the morphological patterns of eruptions and understanding the clinical implications of different drug reactions, including DRESS and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The presentation involves input from several experts who provide insights into the evaluation of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and how skin reactions may present differently in individuals with skin of color. Dr. Kaffenberger highlights that morbilliform eruptions are the most common type of dermatologic reaction observed in hospitalized patients, with 50-70% of consultations being related to these reactions. He encourages dermatologists to accurately identify high-risk features, such as facial involvement, edema, pustules, vesicles, and duskiness, which require closer monitoring and potential lab testing. The session aims to improve overall patient outcomes by enhancing clinicians' ability to differentiate types of skin reactions promptly, thus ensuring timely and appropriate treatments.