Introduction: Fixed drug Eruption (FDE) can occur as both localised and generalised forms, with the generalised form GFDE often requiring hospitalisation and systemic treatment.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of ten years was carried out where the case sheets of patients admitted in dermatology ward of a tertiary care centre with GFDE were reviewed. Clinical data, drug history and blood investigations were recorded. Duration of hospital stay and management given were recorded.

Results: 20 patients were diagnosed with GFDE with 10 patients with generalised non bullous FDE and 10 patients with generalised bullous FDE. Most were in the 50-60 age group. Male to female ratio was 3:2. The systemic associations included fever, eosinophilia, hepatic transaminitis and hyponatremia. Most common drug implicated was paracetamol. All the patients were treated with the withdrawal of the culprit drug and supportive measures while 75% needed additional administration of systemic steroids.

Conclusion: Though GFDE generally has a favourable outcome, hospitalisation, monitoring for systemic involvement and aggressive management may be required in severe cases.

Keywords: Fixed drug eruption, Generalised bullous fixed drug eruption.

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Dr Smitha Ancy Varghese

Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Government Medical College Thiruvananthapuram, India