Living with Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms
A rare, severe allergic reaction to a medicine that causes a rash, fever, and inflammation in organs like the liver, kidneys, and lungs.
Understanding Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms
DRESS can cause a skin rash, fever, and inflammation in different parts of the body, such as the liver, kidneys, and lungs. In some people it can also reactivate human herpes virus 6. It usually happens 2 to 6 weeks after starting the medicine. It is often linked to anticonvulsants and sulfonamides, but other medicines can also cause it. It can happen at any time in life.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Skin rash
- Fever
- Widespread skin redness (erythroderma)
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling under the skin (angioedema)
- Weight loss
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include skin, hair, and nail specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
DRESS Syndrome Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: DRESS Syndrome Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with DRESS Syndrome Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
DRESS is a reaction to a medicine, usually 2 to 6 weeks after starting it. GARD names anticonvulsants and sulfonamides as common causes, and also allopurinol, cyclosporine, azathioprine, gold salts, and antivirals.
Also known as: anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome; dhs; dress; dress syndrome; drug hypersensitivity syndrome; drug reaction eosinophilic systemic syndrome
Patient organizations
- DRESS Syndrome FoundationDrug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms · United States
- HHV-6 FoundationDrug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms · United States
- Children's Skin Disease FoundationSkin diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms.
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