Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Acute Toxic Epidermolysis
Dermatitis Exfoliativa
Lyell Syndrome
Ritter Disease
Ritter-Lyell Syndrome
Scalded Skin Syndrome
Staphyloccal Scalded Skin Syndrome
TEN
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Lyelles Syndrome

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare, sometimes life-threatening unless properly treated, immunological disorder of the skin. It is characterized by blisters that meld into one another to cover a substantial portion of the body (30% and more), and extensive peeling or sloughing off of skin (exfoliation and denudation). The exposed under layer of skin (dermis) is red and suggests severe scalding. Often, the mucous membranes become involved, especially around the eyes (conjunctivitis), but also the mouth, throat, and bronchial tree.

Onset can occur at any age. The infantile form frequently follows an infection. In adults the disorder is usually caused by a reaction to taking a pharmaceutical drug, especially anticonvulsants, non-steroid anti-inflammatories, and/or some antibiotics.

TEN is thought to be an immunological disorder and to be one of a family of three skin disorders. TEN is considered to be the more serious, followed by Stevens-Johnson syndrome and erythema multiforme, in order of severity of disease.

Resources

Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association of America, Inc. (DEBRA)
5 West 36th St
Suite 404
New York, NY 10018
Tel: (212)868-1573
Fax: (212)868-9296
Tel: (866)332-7276
Email: scohen@debra.org
Internet: http://www.debra.org

NIH/National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
USA
Tel: 3014954484
Fax: 3017186366
Tel: 8772264267
TDD: 3015652966
Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.niams.nih.gov

University of Pennsylvania Dermatology Clinic
Dermatology Clinic
34th and Spruce Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Tel: (215)662-6535

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Foundation and Support Group
PO Box 350333
Westminster, CO 80035-0333
Tel: (303)635-1241
Fax: (303)635-1241
Email: sjsupport@aol.com
Internet: http://www.sjsupport.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 4/23/2004
Copyright 1987, 1989, 1996, 2004 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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