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Background Cutaneous involvement has been reported in 30–40% of children with the familial form of haemophagocytic syndrome. However, few studies have focused on cutaneous manifestations in patients with reactive haemophagocytic syndrome (RHS). Objectives To describe the frequency, clinical features and prognosis of skin involvement in adult patients with RHS. Methods We conducted a retrospective study in a French university-based tertiary centre. The medical records of all adult patients with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of RHS during a 2-year period were reviewed. Demographic, clinical, biological and histological data of patients were compared using nonparametric tests. Results The medical charts of 151 patients were reviewed, 69 of whom had a definite diagnosis of RHS (35% women; mean ± SD age 49 ± 17 years). The aetiology of RHS was mainly B-cell or T-cell lymphoma ( n = 33) or herpesvirus infection ( n = 19). Cutaneous manifestations were observed in 32 (46%) patients and were of three types: (i) specific to the underlying malignancy (Kaposi sarcoma n = 8, cutaneous lymphoma n = 4), (ii) reflecting the biological consequences of RHS (thrombopenic purpura n = 10, conjunctival jaundice n = 7), and (iii) a generalized, transient, nonpruriginous maculopapular rash ( n = 18). None presented with erythroderma, or with eczematiform, ichthyosiform, psoriasiform or bullous lesions. One patient had cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis. Histological features of maculopapular rash biopsies were usually nonspecific. The rate of in-hospital death was not significantly associated with cutaneous involvement. Conclusions A generalized, nonpruriginous, transient, maculopapular rash is frequently observed in patients with RHS. Although nonspecific, awareness of this cutaneous involvement may assist physicians in the initial diagnosis of RHS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]