Skin Emergencies Flashcards
What is erythroderma
erythema of at least 90% of the total body surface area
Is erythroderma a diagnosis
No - only a descriptive term
Is the cause of erythroderma found in everyone
no - 25% are idiopathic
pathogenesis of erythroderma
shortened cell transmit time through epidermis and increased mitotic rate
what is exfoliative erythroderma
erythroderma secondary to a drug ration
Causes of exfoliative erythroderma
many - allopurinol, Abx, carbamazepines, PPIs
Erythroderma can present secondary to what cancer
cutaneous T cell lymphoma
Name for erythroderma secondary to CTCL
mycosis fungoides
What common skin complaint can erythroderma present secondary to
psoriasis - see notes on that
Systemic complications of erythroderma
tachycardia and high output cardiac failure
hyperthermia
compensatory hypermetabolism
lymphadenopathy
Mx of erythroderma
supportive and symptomatic
emollients
Tx underlying causes
What is Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TENS)
keratinocyte necrosis with epidermal and mucosal detachment affecting <30% of body surface
Most common cause of TENS
Drugs - almost always
Pathogenesis of TENS
problem with detoxification of drug metabolites, which triggers an immune response in the skin
in TENS the apoptotic rate of skin cells increases so cells accumulate because phagocytes can’t cope with required rate of elimination. - triggers inflammatory response
how soon after commencing a drug can TENS occur
1-3 weeks
