Evaluation of pustular rash

Last reviewed: 30 Sep 2024
Last updated: 16 Sep 2021

Summary

Differentials

Common

  • Impetigo
  • Folliculitis caused by Pseudomonas
  • Folliculitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus
  • Pityrosporum folliculitis
  • Herpes simplex virus
  • Dermatophytosis: tinea barbae
  • Dermatophytosis: tinea cruris
  • Dermatophytosis: tinea pedis
  • Dermatophytosis: tinea corporis
  • Acne vulgaris
  • Eosinophilic folliculitis (Ofuji syndrome/disease)
  • Subcorneal pustular dermatosis (Sneddon-Wilkinson disease)
  • Infantile acropustulosis (IA)
  • Fire ant bites
  • Acrodermatitis continua (pustular acrodermatitis, acrodermatitis continua suppurativa Hallopeau, dermatitis perstans, and dermatitis repens Crocker)
  • Pustular drug rash secondary to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors
  • Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)
  • Generalized pustular psoriasis (von Zumbusch type)
  • Transient neonatal pustular melanosis
  • Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (PPP)
  • Erythema toxicum neonatorum
Full details

Uncommon

  • Gram-negative folliculitis
  • Folliculitis caused by herpes and other viruses
  • Secondary syphilis
  • Infantile scabies
  • Candidal infection and disseminated candidiasis
  • Perioral dermatitis
  • Behcet disease
  • Pseudofolliculitis barbae
  • Neonatal cephalic pustulosis (neonatal acne)
  • Miliaria rubra ("prickly heat")
  • Pustular rosacea
  • Reactive arthritis
  • Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)
  • Corticosteroid-induced rosacea-like eruption/corticosteroid acne
  • Ulcerative or typical pyoderma gangrenosum
  • Atypical form of pyoderma gangrenosum (APG)
  • Orf
  • Amicrobial pustulosis of the folds (APF)
  • Erosive pustular dermatosis
Full details

Contributors

Authors

Asra Ali, MD

Dermatologist

Texas Dermatology

Houston

TX

Disclosures

AA declares that she has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Paradi Mirmirani, MD

Physician

Department of Dermatology

Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center

Vallejo

CA

Disclosures

PM declares that she has no competing interests.

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