DRESS
Medical abbreviation · Dermatology
| Stands for | Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
DRESS stands for Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, a dermatology abbreviation.
Severe drug hypersensitivity that begins two to eight weeks after starting a medication, with fever, widespread rash, facial swelling, enlarged lymph nodes, high eosinophil counts and internal organ involvement, most often the liver. Common triggers include allopurinol, anticonvulsants, vancomycin and minocycline.
Example: Rash, facial edema, eosinophils 2,800 and ALT 640, 4 weeks after vancomycin: DRESS, stop drug, start prednisone.
Usage notes
Also called drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS). Reactivation of human herpesvirus 6 is often detected. The RegiSCAR scoring system helps confirm the diagnosis. Corticosteroids are tapered slowly over weeks to months because relapses are common. Late autoimmune thyroid disease can follow.
Related abbreviations
More dermatology abbreviations
- CSU – Chronic spontaneous urticaria
- CTCL – Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
- DH – Dermatitis herpetiformis
- DIF – Direct immunofluorescence
- DLE – Discoid lupus erythematosus
- DLQI – Dermatology Life Quality Index
- EASI – Eczema Area and Severity Index
- ED&C – Electrodesiccation and curettage
- EM – Erythema migrans
- GA – Granuloma annulare
- HA – Hyaluronic acid (filler)
- HS – Hidradenitis suppurativa
See all 52 dermatology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.