Dermatology >>>> Toxic epidermal necrolysis

Toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis is an inflammatory process that develops on the skin (a type of allergic bullous dermatitis). The cause of toxic epidermal necrolysis may be staphylococcal infection or toxic damage to the body by chemical compounds (including medicinal compounds). This is one of the forms of manifestation of the body's allergic reaction to bacterial toxins or the toxic effect of chemically active components.

Signs of toxic epidermal necrolysis:

The appearance of erythematous spots, gradually turning into vesicles,
Exfoliation of the upper layer of the skin - the epidermis and the appearance of a bare, weeping surface,
The skin lesion is extensive up to the complete loss of the epidermis, which will recover over time (up to a month),
Violation of the general condition and signs of intoxication of the body.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis also has another name - "scalded skin syndrome", which more accurately reflects the external manifestations of the disease (similar to a thermal or chemical burn).

The choice of treatments for scalded skin syndrome depends on the results of diagnosis and the identification of the exact causes of the development of the disease. For research, a biopsy of vesicles and pieces of skin is done and a histological examination is performed. It is noticed that with staphylococcal toxicoinfection, only the epidermis is affected, while with chemical toxic damage, the epidermis and dermis are involved in the process.

According to statistics, in children, the disease develops more often due to staphylococcal infection; for adults, toxic lesions with drugs or chemicals are considered a characteristic cause of scalded skin syndrome.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis is treated in the same way as infected skin burns without opening the blisters. Places of exfoliation of the skin are irrigated with aerosols containing corticosteroid preparations, lubricated with anti-inflammatory ointments with antibacterial components. To accelerate the regeneration processes, applications are used: ointments (Solcoseryl, Xeroform), oils (sea buckthorn).

To stimulate reparative processes and relieve inflammation, you can carry out warm rinsing with infusions of a string, chamomile.

If the cause of the development of toxic epidermal necrolysis is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are prescribed. If the disease develops for reasons of chemical intoxication, drugs, which are a potential factor supporting the allergic reaction, are canceled and the sources of chemical damage to the body are eliminated. A prerequisite for treatment is the introduction of antihistamines and the restoration of water and electrolyte balance, since the degree of water loss by the body affects the outcome of the disease.

After treatment and elimination of signs of the disease, it is recommended to avoid sunbathing and procedures that weaken the immune system (hypothermia, overheating, etc.).