Dermatological conditions frequently present to the Emergency Department, often as rashes, infections, or allergic reactions. While most are benign, some carry life-threatening implications — such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, necrotising fasciitis, meningococcal rash, and anaphylaxis-related urticaria.
For the MRCEM SBA, candidates should focus on the recognition of key dermatological patterns, their underlying causes, and red-flag features that demand urgent management or referral. Understanding morphology, distribution, and systemic associations helps differentiate common presentations like urticaria, cellulitis, eczema, psoriasis, and drug eruptions.
A systematic approach — “Is it infective, inflammatory, allergic, or systemic?” — will allow rapid assessment and safe initial management in the ED setting.