Skin clues to medical emergencies.

In a medical emergency, when rapid diagnosis is essential, a thorough examination of the skin often provides clues to the underlying illness. Dermatologic lesions may suggest the etiology of common medical emergencies, such as coma, seizure, shock, chest pain, hemorrhage, respiratory distress, acute abdomen and acute psychosis. Since examination of the skin is rapidly and easily performed, it should be included in the evaluation of a patient with a medical emergency.