Recently, the dermatology ward of Children’s Hospital has received several children with severe drug dermatitis from overseas and around Beijing, some of whom have even developed severe exudative erythema multiforme (SJS) and toxic necrotizing epidermolysis bullosa (TEN), and are in critical condition. The causes are invariably related to the improper use of medications by parents. Indeed, children are a special group with low resistance and high incidence of diseases such as upper respiratory tract infections and accidental injuries. Some parents, lacking medical knowledge, often give some medication on their own, but improper use often induces drug dermatitis, which can aggravate the primary disease in mild cases and threaten the life of the child in severe cases. For example, one of the above-mentioned children admitted to the hospital was caused by a viral cold, and the mother gave her child some oral cephalosporin antibiotics. Here, let’s dispel some of the misconceptions we used to have about drug rashes by answering a few questions parents often mention: 1, doctor, it’s impossible, our child has been taking this medicine for 10 days and is fine, how can he be allergic? In fact, drug dermatitis has a certain latent period, generally after the first use of drugs, it takes 4 to 20 days (an average of 8 to 10 days) of sensitization period, the body is in a state of potential allergic reaction, no symptoms, continue to use drugs before the occurrence of allergic reactions. If past medication has put the organism in an allergic state, the reaction will occur within 24-48 hours if the medication is used again (the latter case is the time frame parents generally consider for allergy). 2. Doctor, it’s not right. Our children often use cephalosporins, but they have been fine, how come they are allergic this time? Just because the same type of drug was not taken orally before doesn’t mean that you are not allergic to it. Because, different types, different manufacturers, and even different batches of the same class of drugs, may be due to the structure of the subtle differences can occur allergic reactions. As a simple example, penicillin requires a skin test before each use, which is the reason. 3. Doctor, if my child is allergic to cephalosporin this time, is it true that I can’t use cephalosporin drugs in the future? The answer is yes, at least before each visit to the doctor, the child should be informed of this situation to avoid the recurrence of drug dermatitis. The reason for this is that individuals who have had a drug allergy are likely to cross-sensitize to drugs with similar chemical structures or their metabolites. In a few children, polyvalent allergy can also occur, i.e., during the acute phase of drug dermatitis, allergic reactions to some common drugs with different structural formulas also occur. The actual fact is that, in the acute period, our general principle of treatment is to not use all the drugs that can be used. 4. What are the characteristics of drug dermatitis in children? There are many types of drug dermatitis, so parents should keep in mind two things: pruritic rash requires caution, and wheezing and wheezing requires immediate medical attention. Most drug reactions rash is a dark red rash, maculopapular rash, can be fused, the important feature is itching is obvious, symmetrical distribution, most can be observed, but if the child appears pale cyanosis, dizziness, breath-holding, chest tightness, numbness of the limbs, cold sweat, or respiratory edema or tracheal spasm caused by breathing difficulties, breath-holding should immediately seek medical attention. 5.What are the common drugs that cause drug-related dermatitis in children? Is Chinese medicine safer? There are four common categories: ①Antipyretic and analgesic drugs: pyrazolones and salicylic acid have the most incidence; such as aspirin, Somigel, Anacin, etc. ②Sulfonamides: the majority of them are caused by cotrimoxazole. ③ antibiotics: the most caused by penicillin, especially ampicillin. ④ sedative and anti-seizure class: such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital and phenytoin sodium. Other drugs such as dysentery, serum products are also more common. In recent years, drug allergies caused by Chinese medicine have gradually increased, and, as the composition of Chinese medicine is complex, it is not easy to find out which part is the allergenic component, so Chinese medicine is not always safe. 6. How to deal with suspected drug rash at home? First, stop using the suspected drug immediately. If the rash is obviously itchy, you can add some anti-allergic drugs, such as paracetamol, Xantamin drops, kairetan syrup, etc., and topical application of glyburide lotion, eloxon ointment, etc. In case of severe tendency (depression, fever, marked edema of the rash, perioral radiolucency, appearance of blisters, involvement of mucosal areas such as the mouth and eyes), seek immediate medical attention and, if necessary, shock treatment with glucocorticoids and gammaglobulin.