• CDC News
  • Adult Immunization
  • Hepatology
  • Rare Disorders
  • Pediatric Immunization
  • Weight Management
  • Screening
  • Psychiatry
  • Allergy
  • Women's Health
  • Cardiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Kidney Disease
  • Dermatology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pain Management
  • Gastroenterology
  • Geriatrics
  • Infectious Disease
  • Orthopedics
  • Obesity Medicine
  • Rheumatology
  • Technology
  • Oncology
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology
  • Pulmonology

Case 3: What clue in the history points to the cause of this rash?

Article

The mother of a 10-year-old boy brings him for evaluation of a persistent rash on his shins of a few months’ duration. The rash has not responded to topical corticosteroids.

The mother of a 10-year-old boy brings him for evaluation of a persistent rash on his shins of a few months’ duration. The rash has not responded to topical corticosteroids.

The patient is an avid soccer player.

What do you suspect?

A. Atopic dermatitis.
B. Dermatophyte infection.
C. Staphylococcal infection.
D. Contact dermatitis.
E. Folliculitis.

(answers on next page)

Case 3: Atopic dermatitis/Nummular eczema

As in Case 2, the legs of this boy with atopy, A, were irritated by the shin guards he wore when he played soccer. This irritation led to the development of nummular eczema patches, B. Because topical corticosteroids had failed to clear the rash, the patient was given ultra thin hydrocolloid dressing (Duoderm Extra Thin) to wear when he played soccer.

A dermatophyte infection can be ruled out by the results of a potassium hydroxide examination, as was done in this case. Granuloma annulare is asymptomatic and does not typically feature scaling. Contact dermatitis can be patchy, but the pattern and history in this case are not supportive.

 

Related Videos
"Vaccination is More of a Marathon than a Sprint"
Vaccines are for Kids, Booster Fatigue, and Other Obstacles to Adult Immunization
Interview with Kelly Moore, MD, MPH, president, chief executive officer, Immunization Action Coalition
Related Content
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.