Cutaneous manifestations in patients of dengue fever

Objective: To observe the spectrum of cutaneous changes in patients of dengue fever. Patients and methods: The study was carried out from April 2010 till October 2011. Three hundred cases of dengue fever were enrolled from the outpatient and inpatient departments of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were subjected to detailed history, physical examination and relevant investigations. The data was recorded on a pro forma and later analyzed. Results: Out of 300 patients with dengue fever, 67.3 % were males and 32.7 % were females. The mean age was 35 years with an age range of 2 to 80 years. Cutaneous manifestations were present in 65% of patients. Commonest skin manifestation was pruritus which was present in 69.2% patients. This was followed by burning of extremities which was present in 64.6% patients. A skin rash was present in 42.9% patients. This rash was macular in 31.7% and papular in 11.2% patients. A petechial eruption was seen in 20% patients, while ecchymosis was seen in 13.8% patients. Mucosal involvement was seen in 40.66% patients. Conclusion: Skin manifestations are a common feature of dengue fever and were seen in 65% of our patients.