What syndrome is characterized by red, flushed skin due to histamine release?

Red man syndrome is characterized by flushing and a red rash, usually affecting the upper body, which results from the release of histamine. This reaction is commonly associated with the rapid infusion of vancomycin, an antibiotic. When vancomycin is administered quickly, it can trigger mast cells to release histamine, leading to symptoms such as flushing, pruritus, and sometimes hypotension.

This syndrome is typically not life-threatening and is distinguishable from other conditions by its specific clinical presentation and temporal association with medication administration. When vancomycin is infused slowly, the risk of developing red man syndrome decreases significantly, further underscoring the relationship between histamine release and the symptoms observed.

In contrast, the other syndromes listed involve different mechanisms and symptoms. Serotonin syndrome is driven by an excess of serotonin and presents with mental status changes, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular abnormalities. Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are severe drug reactions primarily involving widespread skin detachment and mucosal involvement, but they are not primarily driven by histamine release and do not present with the flushed skin characteristic of red man syndrome.