Skin signs of systemic disease

Skin complaints are some of the commonest reasons patients and parents seek medical attention. Some may have skin changes as part of a multi-organ disease. For others, severe skin disease may predispose to secondary internal complications. In other circumstances, skin changes may be a sign of an immunological response to infection or medication. Recognizing skin signs provides a unique opportunity for physicians to diagnose systemic diseases early in their course. This may provide a window of opportunity to intervene early and make a difference to the outcome. This article reviews some of the most important childhood conditions where such signs should prompt further investigation.