Integumentary System
The student in a Free Clinic
A 30-year-old woman presents to the clinic complaining that she has “an itchy rash all over the place.” She noticed that her legs became red, itchy, and blistered about two days after she had been hiking in a heavily wooded area. She says that scratching broke the blisters and afterward the rash became much worse and spread all over. She is convinced that the rash could not be poison ivy because once before she was exposed to that plant and did not develop a rash. On examination, there are erythematous vesicles and bullae in linear streaks on both of her legs. Some areas are weepy, with a yellowish crust. There are ill-defined erythematous plaques studded with papulovesicles on the trunk and arms.
Instructions:
1. Identify the case in the initial post. Do not repeat the case verbatim in the post.
2. Identify the most likely condition that best explains the patient’s rash.
3. Describe and explain the pathophysiologic process for the eruption of the patient’s presenting signs and symptoms.
4. Describe the usual clinical manifestations associated with the condition.
5. Identify the causes of the condition and risk factors if applicable.
6. 3 peer reviewed references less than 5 years old