Other emergencies
Case 18: A Patient with A Widespread Itchy Rash
CASE
A 56‐year‐old woman presents to her GP with a 6‐week history of widespread itchy rash. On the day the rash began she awoke with the rash which covered her abdomen. Since then she has had intermittent rashes which can appear anywhere on her body. She describes the rash as itchy, raised wheals similar in appearance to nettle rash. Each wheal lasts less than 24 hours in duration and fades leaving no residual lesion. She has been taking some chlorphenamine tablets intermittently but over the past few days her symptoms have become worse. The rash has now spread to affect her back, arms, legs and face. Today she has had some facial swelling affecting her left eye and upper lip which was present when she awoke. She is concerned that she has developed a food allergy but has not been able to identify any particular triggers; she is now avoiding milk, wheat and colourings.
QUESTION 1
Your score this session: 0 of 0
What investigations are appropriate?