Its usually triggered by taking certain medications, but infection can occasionally cause this reaction.
TEN is a severe form ofStevens-Johnson syndrome(SJS).
This article will review toxic epidermal necrolysis, its causes, symptoms, and how its treated.
Raimo Suhonen / DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND
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Raimo Suhonen / DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND
What Causes Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis?
This causes severe inflammation, blistering, and tissue death.
Life-Threatening Medical Emergency
TEN is a life-threatening medical emergency.
If you think they have it, call 911.
Getting treatment within 24 hours of when the blisters first appear significantly improves outlook.
Drug-Induced
The most common triggers of TEN are medications.
Medications include:
Although many of these medications are commonly used, TEN is rare.
Its estimated that TEN occurs in 1 to 1.5 out of every 1 million people in a year.
Other infections include:
How Does TEN Impact Your Health?
TEN is a serious condition and is potentially life-threatening.
Symptoms can begin four to 28 days after the triggering event, either a medication or an infection.
Before skin reactions develop, flu-like symptoms appear.
These symptoms include:
When skin changes develop, they can be widespread across the body and progress rapidly.
In addition to blistering and skin peeling, the skin can become red and feel painful and raw.
It may start to slough off in large amounts, leaving open wounds similar to burns.
Mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth, throat, and genitals are also frequently affected.
Light sensitivity is common.
The mouth can develop painful ulcers and sore throat, which make eating and drinking difficult.
The airway membranes can also be affected, leading to shortness of breath and cough.
The skin protects against infection and plays an important role in fluid and electrolyte balance in the body.
With TEN, over 30% of the skin on the body’s surface is affected.
However, TEN is more severe, with over 30% of the body surface area affected.
A diagnosis of SJS is made when less than 10% of the body surface area is affected.
A detailed medical history is necessary.
Over 100 medications can be the culprit.
However, some people may have genetic factors that put them at a higher risk of developing TEN.
Some people may be born with an alteration in the HLA-B gene.
This gene helps the immune system identify an invading organism vs. the bodys own tissue.
Although TEN can occur at any age, it is most likely seen in people over 40.
Can You Recover From TEN?
TEN is a medical emergency, and has a mortality rate of 30% to 40%.
Recovery from TEN is possible.
Care is often given in a hospitals intensive care or burn unit.
The initial treatment is to stop the medication or treat the infection causing TEN, if known.
Supportive care is the mainstay of treatment and includes:
Medications such as immunosuppressants and steroids might be used.
However, there is no current standard of care for medications to treat TEN.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
TEN is a medical emergency.
If you suspect you have TEN, call 911.
The sooner TEN can be treated, the better the outcome.
This causes the skin to blister and peel.
It can lead to severe complications such as infection, organ failure, and death.
TEN is treated with supportive care, which includes hospitalization and monitoring for complications.
If someone suspects they may have TEN, they should call 911 for emergency treatment.
MedlinePlus Genetics.Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis.
2016;11(11):e0165933.
2021;57(9):895. doi:10.3390/medicina57090895
