[Drug allergies. Clinical aspects, pathophysiology and treatment of cutaneous manifestations].

Cutaneous adverse drug reactions (ADR) are common and encompass a broad clinical spectrum. Since the skin acts as a signaling organ for ADR, the dermatologist plays a key role in their diagnosis. Only a minor part of cutaneous ADR are due to underlying allergic mechanisms. Among these, delayed-type reactions such as maculopapular exanthems and immediate-type reactions such as urticaria and angioedema predominate. Risk factors for the development of cutaneous allergic ADR may be related to the patient (e.g. certain HLA-types), the drug (e.g. its reactivity), and underlying conditions (e.g. viral infections). Antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and anticonvulsive medications are most often reported to be causally related.