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Acute dermatological emergencies
Acute dermatological emergencies
Please cite this article as: Coltart G, Fityan A, Acute dermatological emergencies, Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpmed.2020.12.011
Descargado para Ronald Eduardo Lozano Acosta (loacro@yahoo.com) en Cayetano Heredia Pervuvian University de ClinicalKey.es por Elsevier en febrero 24, 2021.
Para uso personal exclusivamente. No se permiten otros usos sin autorización. Copyright ©2021. Elsevier Inc. Todos los derechos reservados.
ACUTE MEDICINE II
features of high-output cardiac failure. Fluid balance and elec- emollients must be liberally applied to the skin to maintain
trolytes should be monitored closely, and skin biopsy considered barrier function, while early ophthalmology input is vital to
if the underlying cause is unclear. prevent long-term scarring.2 Systemic therapy with corticoste-
Ointment emollients should be applied 2-hourly to support the roids, ciclosporin, intravenous immunoglobulins and anti-
skin. Moderate potency topical corticosteroids can be beneficial. tumour necrosis factor biological agents is often used despite
A proportion of patients require the introduction of systemic limited evidence.
therapy to control the disease; this should be tailored to the SJS/TEN carries a high mortality that increases with the per-
underlying cause. centage of BSA involvement. Significant long-term sequelae
include cutaneous scarring, blindness, pulmonary fibrosis,
Drug reactions chronic kidney disease and autoimmune conditions (Sjo €gren’s
Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) to drugs represent a disease).
significant proportion of dermatological emergencies. Almost all
drugs can cause skin rashes, but some drugs, particularly anti- Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms
epileptics, antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (DRESS): DRESS is a type 4, T-cell-mediated hypersensitivity
(NSAIDs) and diuretics, are more commonly associated with reaction to a drug that affects the skin and other organ systems,
severe eruptions. The onset of the rash often post-dates the start particularly the liver, but also the kidneys, lungs, heart and
of the offending drug by several weeks, so a careful drug history nerves. It can occur up to 6 weeks after starting a new drug. It
of all medications taken in the preceding 3 months is vital to often presents with a maculopapular rash (although pustules and
identify and promptly remove the causative drug. The most target lesions can occur), sometimes in association with facial
common SCARs and their time of onset are summarized in Table oedema. High fever and lymphadenopathy are common, and
2. mucosal involvement is present in 25% of patients. Other
The vast majority of drug rashes do not meet the criteria for symptoms and signs depend on the organ systems affected and
SCARs and present with a maculopapular exanthem without can include hepatomegaly, shortness of breath, diarrhoea and
systemic features. These typically occur 1e3 weeks after starting headache.
a new medication. Although it can look alarming, it is not an A full blood count (FBC) shows eosinophilia (>2.0 109/litre
emergency and generally settles spontaneously within 1e2 in 30% of cases). Blood films may show atypical lymphocytes.
weeks of discontinuing the causative drug. The features in Table Biochemistry reveals hepatic or renal impairment, but this can
3 can help differentiate a simple maculopapular exanthem from occur after the onset of the rash. Viruses including EpsteineBarr
SCARs. virus, cytomegalovirus and human herpesvirus 6/7 can reac-
tivate late in the disease, which can account for a relapse in the
StevenseJohnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis skin symptoms and liver impairment.
(TEN): SJS/TEN is a severe, life-threatening mucocutaneous DRESS often settles spontaneously after withdrawing the
blistering drug eruption. Less commonly, it occurs secondary to inducing medication. If there is evidence of significant systemic
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mycoplasma-induced rash with involvement, immunosuppression with systemic corticosteroids
mucositis). SJS and TEN are a continuation of the same condi- or ciclosporin is indicated. DRESS carries a 5e10% mortality,
tion, differentiated by the extent of BSA blistering (SJS <10% and long-term sequelae include autoimmune endocrine abnor-
BSA epidermal detachment, SJS/TEN 10e30%, TEN >30%). malities, particularly thyroid disease, which should be monitored
SJS/TEN presents with a generalized dusky erythematous in the year after recovery.3
macular rash after 1e3 days of a flu-like prodrome. Patients are
systemically unwell, with fever and dehydration. Atypical targets Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP): AGEP
(a rash with a darker or sometimes purpuric centre and lighter manifests as a rapid progression of an erythematous rash,
rim) are followed by the development of flaccid blisters and su- particularly affecting the proximal flexures, which develops tens
perficial skin loss (Figure 1). Eliciting tenderness and a positive to hundreds of pinhead-sized, superficial, sterile, non-follicular
Nikolsky’s sign (the epidermis sloughs off with mild finger-tip pustules that can coalesce. Fever is usually present, but other-
pressure) helps in differentiating SJS/TEN from other SCARs. wise systemic involvement is not usually a feature. Blood tests
Extensive mucositis is typical, presenting with red and painful demonstrate neutrophilia (>7.0 109/litre) and bacterial culture
eyes progressing to conjunctival erosions, genital erosions and of pustule fluid is negative.
ulceration of mouth and lips with overlying haemorrhagic crust. Generally, symptoms spontaneously resolve after withdrawal
Involvement of other membranes can present as difficulty of the medication without requiring specific treatment. AGEP
swallowing, urinary retention, diarrhoea, cough and respiratory carries a good prognosis with a low mortality, and usually re-
distress sometimes requiring intubation. solves within a week of discontinuing the offending agent. The
A skin biopsy with direct immunofluorescence is essential to main differential diagnosis to consider is that of pustular psori-
differentiate SJS/TEN from other blistering or mucocutaneous asis, which can be distinguished with skin biopsy.
conditions, such as pemphigus.
SJS/TEN is a multisystem disease often requiring manage- Infections
ment in a specialist burns unit or an intensive care unit with Viral infections: viruses frequently induce florid rashes, partic-
access to specialist dermatology input. Early removal of the ularly maculopapular exanthems, which are indistinguishable
causative drug is key to halting disease progression. Ointment from maculopapular drug reactions. Most are not dangerous,
Please cite this article as: Coltart G, Fityan A, Acute dermatological emergencies, Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpmed.2020.12.011
Descargado para Ronald Eduardo Lozano Acosta (loacro@yahoo.com) en Cayetano Heredia Pervuvian University de ClinicalKey.es por Elsevier en febrero 24, 2021.
Para uso personal exclusivamente. No se permiten otros usos sin autorización. Copyright ©2021. Elsevier Inc. Todos los derechos reservados.
ACUTE MEDICINE II
Angioedema Cutaneous: facial swelling, urticaria Antibiotics (especially penicillins), NSAIDs, Minutes to hours
Other: wheeze/stridor immunomodulators, contrast agents,
neuromuscular agents, nuts, venom
AGEP Cutaneous: macular erythematous rash Antibiotics (especially b-lactams), 2e5 days
(especially of the proximal flexures), plethora sulfonamides, antifungals, calcium channel
of small pustules (can coalesce) blockers, hydroxychloroquine, carbamazepine,
Other: fever, neutrophilia paracetamol
SJS/TEN Cutaneous: mucositis of 2 mucous Antibiotics, sulfonamides, anticonvulsants 5e28 days
membranes, dusky erythema with epidermal (lamotrigine, carbamazepine, phenytoin),
detachment, Nikolsky positive allopurinol, paracetamol, NSAIDs
Other: fever, diarrhoea, dyspnoea,
cardiovascular instability
Vasculitis Cutaneous: palpable purpuric papules Antibiotics, anti-TNF-a agents, allopurinol, 7e21 days
(especially on the lower legs) phenytoin, sulfasalazine
Other: systemic involvement (kidneys, joints,
nerves)
DRESS Cutaneous: polymorphic rash (often Antiepileptics (carbamazepine, lamotrigine, 15e40 days
maculopapular), facial oedema phenytoin, phenobarbital), allopurinol,
Other: fever, lymphadenopathy, systemic antibiotics
involvement (liver, kidneys)
Maculopapular Cutaneous: erythematous maculopapular Anything, especially antibiotics (b-lactams), 7e21 days
exanthem eruption, usually starting on upper trunk sulfonamides, allopurinol, antiepileptics,
before becoming widespread NSAIDs
Other: not usually associated with systemic
symptoms
Table 2
especially in the absence of the features listed in Table 3. It is vesicular, urticarial and maculopapular exanthema.4 Purpura
beyond the scope of this article to cover all the potential emer- and livedoid skin changes are associated with a more severe
gency presentations of viral infections in the skin; instead we disease phenotype. A chilblain-like rash (known in the media as
discuss two infections that readers should be aware of. ‘covid toe’) may be seen on the hands and feet several weeks
Although it is early in our understanding, it is recognized that after COVID-19 has resolved; it is thought to be caused by
COVID-19 has several cutaneous manifestations, including disease-associated vasculopathy.
Eczema herpeticum (Figure 2) is a potentially severe super-
added herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in patients with
atopic eczema. Patients are often febrile, presenting with a
Warning signs that might suggest a severe rash painful, diffuse eruption of monomorphic (similar shape and
size) vesicles and erosions on eczematous skin. Treatment con-
C Fever sists of aciclovir and, if required, topical corticosteroids for
C Purpura eczema. Involvement of or around the eyes requires urgent
C Lymphadenopathy ophthalmology review to prevent long-term complications of
C Angioedema HSV infection.
C Mucosal involvement (conjunctiva, nasopharynx, mouth, urethra,
anus) Bacterial infections: Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening
C Blistering or epidermal detachment bacterial infection of the subcutaneous fat and fascia most
C Rash is painful commonly caused by haemolytic group A Streptococcus or
C Dysfunction of other organ systems (liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, Staphylococcus aureus. In the early stages the appearance can be
etc) hard to differentiate from simple cellulitis. Pain out of proportion
to the skin changes, the development of purpura, blistering,
Table 3
Please cite this article as: Coltart G, Fityan A, Acute dermatological emergencies, Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpmed.2020.12.011
Descargado para Ronald Eduardo Lozano Acosta (loacro@yahoo.com) en Cayetano Heredia Pervuvian University de ClinicalKey.es por Elsevier en febrero 24, 2021.
Para uso personal exclusivamente. No se permiten otros usos sin autorización. Copyright ©2021. Elsevier Inc. Todos los derechos reservados.
ACUTE MEDICINE II
Purpura
Cutaneous vasculitis is rarely an emergency in itself, but can
signify a systemic vasculitis that requires urgent treatment to
prevent damage to other organs such as kidneys, lungs and
nerves. The most common cause of a cutaneous vasculitis is
leucocytoclastic vasculitis, which is usually induced by infection
or medication, resolving spontaneously with removal of the un-
derlying cause. However, the differential diagnosis is broad, and
includes antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated
vasculitides, immunoglobulin (Ig) A vasculitis, Kawasaki disease
and polyarteritis nodosum, among many others.
Vasculitis presents with the ‘4Ps’: Palpable, Painful, Purpuric
(i.e. non-blanching) Papules. These are most often best seen on
the lower legs in a gaiter distribution, but can be widespread Figure 3 Cutaneous vasculitis e palpable purpura over the lower
(Figure 3). The history and examination can reveal clues to the limbs.
Please cite this article as: Coltart G, Fityan A, Acute dermatological emergencies, Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpmed.2020.12.011
Descargado para Ronald Eduardo Lozano Acosta (loacro@yahoo.com) en Cayetano Heredia Pervuvian University de ClinicalKey.es por Elsevier en febrero 24, 2021.
Para uso personal exclusivamente. No se permiten otros usos sin autorización. Copyright ©2021. Elsevier Inc. Todos los derechos reservados.
ACUTE MEDICINE II
Patients are typically very unwell, are hypotensive and develop KEY REFERENCES
disseminated intravascular coagulation. 1 Sterry Wolfram, Erythroderma M Steinholf, Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL,
Schaffer JV. Dermatology. 3rdh edn. Erythroderma: Elsevier, 2012;
Blistering e pemphigus vulgaris 171e81 [chapter 10].
2 Creamer D, Walsh SA, Dziewulski P, et al. UK guidelines for the
Pemphigus vulgaris is an acquired autoimmune condition that management of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal nec-
presents with widespread flaccid and easily ruptured blisters and rolysis in adults 2016. Br J Dermatol 2016; 174: 1194e227.
erosions of the skin and mucous membranes. 3 Husain Z, Reddy BY, Schwartz RA. DRESS Syndrome. Part II.
Skin biopsy demonstrates intraepithelial separation (acan- Management and therapeutics. J Am Acad Dermatol 2013; 68: 709.
tholysis) and blistering. The diagnosis is confirmed by the pres- e1e9; quiz 718e20.
ence of intercellular IgG deposition (targeting desmoglein 1 and 4 Galvan Casas C, Catala A, Carretero Herna
ndez G, et al. Classifi-
3) within the epidermis on direct immunofluorescence biopsy. cation of the cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19: a rapid pro-
Systemic corticosteroids (0.5e1 mg/kg prednisolone) are spective nationwide consensus study in Spain with 375 cases. Br J
required to initially control the disease while introducing steroid- Dermatol 2020; 183: 71e7.
sparing immunosuppressants such as azathioprine, mycophe- 5 Staiman A, Hsu DY, Silverberg JI. Epidemiology of staphylococcal
nolate mofetil or rituximab. A scalded skin syndrome in U.S. children. Br J Dermatol 2018; 178:
704e8.
TEST YOURSELF
To test your knowledge based on the article you have just read, please complete the questions below. The answers can be found at the
end of the issue or online here.
Please cite this article as: Coltart G, Fityan A, Acute dermatological emergencies, Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpmed.2020.12.011
Descargado para Ronald Eduardo Lozano Acosta (loacro@yahoo.com) en Cayetano Heredia Pervuvian University de ClinicalKey.es por Elsevier en febrero 24, 2021.
Para uso personal exclusivamente. No se permiten otros usos sin autorización. Copyright ©2021. Elsevier Inc. Todos los derechos reservados.
ACUTE MEDICINE II
Investigations Question 3
Haemoglobin 14.3 g/litre (13.5e17.5) A 22-year old woman presented with a 2-day history of fever and
White cell count 10.1 109/litre (4.0e11.0) deterioration in her skin condition. She had severe atopic
Neutrophil count 6.5 109/litre (2.0e7.0) eczema.
Lymphocyte count 2.6 109/litre (1.0e3.5) On clinical examination, she had symmetrically distributed
Eosinophil count 2.1 109/litre (0.0e0.5) monomorphic vesicles over her face, trunk and limb flexures.
Sodium 143 mmol/litre (135e145) She had bilateral cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy. Her
Potassium 4.2 mmol/litre (3.5e5.0) temperature was 38.3 C, heart rate 88 beats/minute, and blood
Urea 7.2 mmol/litre (3.2e7.4) pressure 116/68 mmHg.
Creatinine 86 micromol/litre (49e90)
Bilirubin 19 micromol/litre (0e21) What is the most appropriate initial treatment?
Alanine aminotransferase 80 IU/litre (10e45) A. Co-amoxiclav intravenously
Alkaline phosphatase 140 IU/litre (30e130) B. Aciclovir orally
Albumin 34 g/litre (32e50) C. Ciclosporin orally
D. Prednisolone orally
E. Clobetasone butyrate ointment 0.05% w/w topically
What is the likely causative agent?
A. Amoxicillin
B. Ibuprofen
C. Lamotrigine
D. Paracetamol
E. Ramipril
Please cite this article as: Coltart G, Fityan A, Acute dermatological emergencies, Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpmed.2020.12.011
Descargado para Ronald Eduardo Lozano Acosta (loacro@yahoo.com) en Cayetano Heredia Pervuvian University de ClinicalKey.es por Elsevier en febrero 24, 2021.
Para uso personal exclusivamente. No se permiten otros usos sin autorización. Copyright ©2021. Elsevier Inc. Todos los derechos reservados.