Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, also known as (TEN), is a rare disease which can be life threatening. It is a condition which effects the skin and is seen more in women than in men. Elderly people are much more likely to suffer from this disease due to the increased amounts of medication they take.
TEN is a much more severe form of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which is known as (SJS). While SJS only effects 10% of the skin on the body, TEN effects 90%. The patient will begin to receive blisters on the body which will soon begin fuse together, spreading across the body. The skin may also begin to peel or slightly hang off the surface.
The layers under the skin may appear to be a bright red, which indicates that it is being inflamed. The eyes, mouth, or throat will also severely be effected, and even though the condition is often found in the elderly, individuals of any age can suffer from this condition. The most common cause of this disease is due to taking certain types of medications.While medications themselves may not be the problem, some of them contain substances which will cause an allergic reaction in patients who are taking them. It is this allergic reaction which may lead to the development of TEN. Non steroidal drugs and other pharmaceutical medications can lead to this condition. TEN is a branch of three skin diseases which are rare, yet severe.
In the worst case scenario, TEN can lead to death. Patients will need to undergo considerable treatment in order to fight this condition. IV fluids and other skin inflammation treatments may need to be used. The disease itself is extremely rare, effecting only a maximum of 1.23 cases out of 100,000 patients. Despite this, the mortality rate is fairly high, with between 25-70% dying from this condition.
As of this writing, doctors are unable to explain why more women suffer from this disease than men. Even those who survive the disease often have to live with scars which disfigure their faces and bodies. The best way to avoid this disease is by being aware of the types of medications you are taking. If you are allergic to certain substances, it is best to try to avoid taking medicines which have them.
TEN is a condition which can be avoided to some extent if doctors take the time to review certain types of medications and the effects they will have on their patients. Doing a check on the medical history of the patient will give doctors a clue as to what medications could lead to the types of allergic reactions which lead to TEN.
Because of the rarity of the disease, some doctors and patients may be under the false impression that they will be able to take certain types of drugs without complications. This may not be the case, and it is important to review certain medications carefully before taking them.
TEN is condition which has hypersensitivity like symptoms. The faster that doctors administer treatments, the more likely they are of preventing the condition from taking the life of the patient.