ICU Patient’s Sudden Vesicular Rash

A 55-year-old ICU patient develops a sudden vesicular rash on his trunk and arms post-surgery. Explore the Differential Diagnosis for this common skin finding.

Miliaria crystallina


A 55-year-old man who had been admitted to the intensive care unit had a sudden-onset vesicular rash appear across his trunk and arms, as shown. He had undergone a small-bowel resection; his post-operative course had been complicated by sepsis, fevers, and respiratory failure. On exam, he was wrapped tightly in blankets. The vesicles did not rupture with light palpation but broke when more pressure was applied. What is the diagnosis?

What is the most likely diagnosis?

Drug eruption
Dyshidrotic eczema
Herpes zoster due to virus reactivation
Miliaria crystallina
Pityrosporum folliculitis

Fever, ICU, Miliaria crystallina, Rash, Sweat Gland Disorder

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