Dermatology Toolbox
STEP 1
Red-Flag Gate
Check these before using the rash navigator.
No red flag selected.
If none are present clinically, continue to the rash navigator.
STEP 2
Rash Navigator
Use pattern recognition to generate a short differential, not a single automated diagnosis.
DOSING SUPPORT
Adult FTU Calculator
1 adult FTU โ 0.5 g. Estimate amount per application and total supply.
PER APPLICATIONโ
APPROX. GRAMSโ
TOTAL SUPPLYโ
Approximation for an average adult when the whole selected area is treated. Adjust for actual affected surface area, body size and product instructions; FTU tables may vary slightly between references.
TOPICAL STEROID
Potency & Site Helper
General site-based guide for eczema; verify age, product potency, diagnosis and local formulary.
Common potency examples
Very potentClobetasol propionate 0.05%
PotentBetamethasone valerate 0.1% (verify formulation/product)
ModerateClobetasone butyrate 0.05%
MildHydrocortisone 1%
QUICK REFERENCE
Common Primary-Care Patterns
Fast recognition, checks and escalation triggers.
Eczema / Dermatitisโ
Recognise
- Dry, itchy, recurrent; flexural distribution is common in atopic eczema
- Look for trigger/contact pattern, secondary infection and eczema herpeticum features
Clinic direction
- Emollient + appropriate topical anti-inflammatory
- Use FTU and site/potency helper
- Review diagnosis/adherence if poor response
Escalate / review: Same-day specialist advice if eczema herpeticum is suspected; urgent escalation for eye involvement, systemic illness or rapidly worsening infection.
Tinea Corporis / Cruris / Pedisโ
Recognise
- Annular plaque, active scaly edge, possible central clearing
- Check feet/nails/groin as reservoir and prior steroid use
Clinic direction
- Avoid steroid monotherapy when dermatophyte infection is likely
- Keep area dry; review adherence and extent
- Consider systemic pathway/review if extensive, recurrent, scalp or nail disease
Escalate / review: Review or refer if diagnosis uncertain, immunocompromised, treatment failure, scalp disease or extensive recurrence.
Scabiesโ
Recognise
- Intense itch, often worse at night
- Household/close-contact itch; webs, wrists, waistline and genital area are typical sites
Clinic direction
- Treat household members and close contacts at the same time when scabies is diagnosed/strongly suspected
- Wash/dry recently used bedding, clothing and towels on hot cycles when possible; seal non-washable items for several days
- Explain itch can persist for several weeks after successful treatment
Escalate / review: Escalate crusted scabies, severe secondary infection, institutional outbreak or immunocompromised patient.
Urticariaโ
Recognise
- Transient wheals, intensely itchy, lesions typically migrate
- Check medication/NSAID, infection and allergy context
Clinic direction
- First exclude anaphylaxis/angioedema
- Non-sedating antihistamine pathway if uncomplicated
- If recurrent >6 weeks, assess as chronic urticaria
Escalate / review: Emergency if airway symptoms, hypotension, wheeze, syncope or systemic anaphylaxis features.
Impetigo / Infected Eczemaโ
Recognise
- Honey-coloured crusts, pustules or wet erosions
- Assess localised vs widespread and surrounding cellulitis
Clinic direction
- Use NAG/local guidance when antimicrobial treatment is indicated
- Hygiene and transmission counselling
- Review if spreading or not improving
Escalate / review: Escalate fever, extensive disease, infant/high-risk host, spreading cellulitis, ecthyma or poor response.
Cellulitis / Abscessโ
Recognise
- Red, hot, swollen, tender skin; abscess may be fluctuant or draining
- Check fever/systemic features, rapid spread, severe pain, entry point and comorbidity
Clinic direction
- Consider marking the erythema margin for outpatient follow-up
- A true abscess may require drainage rather than antibiotics alone
- Use NAG/local protocol for antimicrobial decisions
Escalate / review: Refer/escalate if severely unwell, infection is near the eye/nose, spreading despite treatment, or there is concern for sepsis, orbital cellulitis, necrotising infection, septic arthritis or osteomyelitis.
Herpes Zoster / HSVโ
Recognise
- Grouped vesicles; dermatomal unilateral pattern suggests zoster
- Check onset, pain, immunocompromise and dissemination
Clinic direction
- Eye/forehead/nose involvement needs urgent assessment
- Consider antiviral pathway according to timing/risk
- Give transmission advice while vesicles active
Escalate / review: Escalate ophthalmic involvement, dissemination, severe neurological features, pregnancy concern or immunocompromised patient.
Hypopigmented / Numb Patchโ
Recognise
- Differentiate depigmentation from hypopigmentation and look for fine scale
- Check for definite sensory loss and peripheral nerve symptoms/signs
Clinic direction
- Definite sensory loss in a pale/reddish patch or nerve enlargement with sensory loss/weakness raises concern for leprosy
- Fine superficial scale may support pityriasis versicolor
- Document sensory and peripheral nerve findings clearly
Escalate / review: Use the local leprosy referral pathway when cardinal signs are present or diagnosis is uncertain.
Acneiform Eruptionโ
Recognise
- Comedones support acne vulgaris
- Look for inflammatory papules/pustules, nodules, cysts and scarring
Clinic direction
- Assess severity, pregnancy possibility and prior treatments
- Use stepwise acne therapy/local CPG
- Consider folliculitis if monomorphic itchy pustules
Escalate / review: Refer severe nodulocystic acne, scarring, major psychosocial impact or treatment failure.
Psoriasis Patternโ
Recognise
- Well-demarcated plaques with scale; extensor surfaces and scalp are common
- Check nails, high-impact sites and symptoms suggesting psoriatic arthritis
Clinic direction
- Assess body surface area, severity and impact
- Use KKM psoriasis CPG for treatment pathway
- Arrange specialist review when topical management is inadequate or disease is severe/extensive
Escalate / review: Generalised pustular psoriasis or erythroderma requires immediate same-day specialist assessment; refer significant joint symptoms or diagnostic uncertainty.
PATIENT COMMUNICATION
Copyable Counselling
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