What is Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)?

About Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN):

• TEN, also known as Lyell’s syndrome, is a rare, life-threatening skin condition.
• TEN is the most severe form of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). 
• Both conditions are caused by a reaction to medications-often antibiotics or anticonvulsives. 
• People with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop SJS or TEN.
• Symptoms may include:
  • A painful, red area that spreads quickly
  • The skin may peel without blistering
  • Raw areas of skin
  • Discomfort
  • Fever
  • Condition spread to eyes, mouth/throat, and genitals/urethra/anus 
• TEN causes large areas of blistering and peeling skinon at least 30% of your body, including mucous membranes like the mouth, eyes and genitals. 
• Because the skin normally acts as a protective barrier, extensive skin damage can lead to a dangerous loss of fluids and allow infections to develop.
• Serious complications can include pneumonia, overwhelming bacterial infections (sepsis), shock, multiple organ failure, and death. 
• It has a mortality rate of approximately 30 percent.
• Treatment:
  • TEN requires emergency medical treatment at a hospital.
  • If a medicine is causing the skin reaction, it is discontinued. 
  • While the skin heals, supportive care includes controlling pain, caring for wounds and making sure you’re getting enough fluids.

Q1: What are antibiotics?

Antibiotics are medicines that fight bacterial infections in people and animals. They work by killing the bacteria or by making it hard for the bacteria to grow and multiply. 

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