Okuzeka
Medicine vocabulary · Symptoms and Signs

Rash

Meaning in medicine, with examples

/ræʃ/nounCommon term

In medicine, rash means: An area of skin that changes in colour or texture, for example becoming red, spotty, bumpy or itchy.

In Turkish: döküntü, kızarıklık, egzantem

How it is used

Patients 'come out in' or 'develop' a rash. Doctors describe where it is and what it looks like (macular, papular, blanching or non-blanching). A non-blanching rash with fever is a red flag in children.

Example sentences

  1. She came out in an itchy rash two days after starting the antibiotics.

  2. The rash didn't fade when pressed, so we treated him for meningitis straight away.

Common collocations

  • skin rash
  • itchy rash
  • develop a rash
  • non-blanching rash
  • drug rash
  • allergyA harmful reaction of the immune system to something that is normally harmless, such as a medicine, a food or pollen.
  • feverA body temperature higher than normal, usually above about 38 °C, often a sign that the body is fighting an infection.
  • signEvidence of disease that a doctor can see, feel, hear or measure, such as a rash, a heart murmur or a high temperature, rather than something the patient reports.
  • side effectAn effect of a medicine or treatment that is not the main one intended, and is often unwanted, such as drowsiness or an upset stomach.
  • red flagA symptom or sign that suggests a serious cause, such as cancer or a spinal problem, and needs urgent attention or tests.

More terms: Symptoms and Signs

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.