Symptoms: rashes

This codelist was taken from OpenCodelists, created by OpenSAFELY. We recommend viewing this Phenotype on the OpenCodelist website to view the most recent version.

Code list aiming to identify individuals consulting complaining of skin rashes.

© University of Oxford for the Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science 2025. This work may be copied freely for non-commercial research and study.

Identified from intial search terms outside of OpenCodelists: "rash" "erythem" "dermatitis" "skin lesion" "skin eruption" "desquamation"

Clearly irrelevant codes excluded (with review by a second clinician)

Candidate codelist reviewed outside OpenCodelists by two clinicians. As we reviewed our candidate codelist outside openCodelists, we did not benefit from the tree structures that might have identified additional codes. However, we assume that these are likely to be codes that are not used frequently, e.g., eponymous syndromes.

Retained erythema nodosum, as a proportion of cases are idiopathic. Retained erythema multiforme as causes are often unclear. Retained simple erythema and dermatitis of specified sites, as may be used to code rashes of unknown cause.

Excluded any codes related to eczema, as suggests underlying allergic aetiology. Excluded any terms with clear underlying cause (e.g., candidiasis, occupational dermatitis). Excluded most specific dermatological diagnoses as these are rarely used and unlikely to be used to describe rashes of unknown aetiology. Excluded isolated skin lesions, as likely to be discrete lesion rather than rash. Excluded seborrhoeic dermatitis.