Differential Diagnosis for Abdominal Pain, Diarrhea, and Rash
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastroenteritis: This is a common condition that can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and sometimes a rash, especially if the causative agent is a virus or bacteria that also triggers an allergic or immune-mediated skin reaction.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, and may be associated with extraintestinal manifestations including skin rashes.
- Food Allergy or Intolerance: Certain food allergies or intolerances can lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and skin rashes due to an immune reaction or malabsorption.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): While IBS primarily causes abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, some patients may experience diarrhea and, less commonly, skin manifestations due to associated stress or other factors.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Septicemia or Bacteremia: Certain bacterial infections can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and a rash, and are life-threatening if not promptly treated.
- Meningococcemia: A severe infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis, characterized by a rash, and can initially present with nonspecific symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea.
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: Severe skin and mucous membrane disorders usually caused by medications, which can also involve the gastrointestinal tract and present with abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Rare Diagnoses
- Whipple's Disease: A rare, systemic bacterial infection that can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and skin rash, among other symptoms.
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A group of disorders that affect connective tissues supporting the skin, bones, blood vessels, and many other organs and tissues, which can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms and skin manifestations.
- Sjögren's Syndrome: An autoimmune disorder that can cause a variety of symptoms including gastrointestinal issues and skin rashes, though it is more commonly associated with dry eyes and mouth.