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disease epidermal_necrolysisToxic epidermal necrolysis is a life-threatening skin disorder characterized by a blistering and peeling of the top layer of skin. Most instances of the disease are caused by a reaction to a drug. Usually beginning with fever, headache, cough and body aches, symptoms of toxic epidermal necrolysis can sometimes resemble other dermatologic conditions, though it can quickly progress.
Within three days, the symptoms of toxic epidermal necrolysis can become severe, usually including hospitalization in the burn unit. Toxic epidermal necrolysis can cause the skin to peel off in sheets, leaving large areas that appear scalded. The affected areas are painful, and symptoms of toxic epidermal necrolysis will often cause the person to feel ill, accompanied with chills and fever.
In some cases, the symptoms of toxic epidermal necrolysis will cause people’s hair and nails to fall out. The symptoms of toxic epidermal necrolysis are so severe that in many people, 30 percent or more of the body surface peels away. Because such large areas of skin have been lost, causing salts and fluids to leak out, the disease becomes easily open to infection. In the majority of cases, infection is what ends up leading to the person’s death.
The most common symptoms of toxic epidermal necrolysis include painful, red areas that quickly spread and the peeling of the top layer of skin without blistering, which spreads the condition to the eyes, mouth and genitals, and causes fever and discomfort, among other symptoms. If the symptoms of toxic epidermal necrolysis occur after a drug was started, the medication causing the skin reaction should be immediately discontinued.
In order to treat the symptoms of toxic epidermal necrolysis a physician will examine each patient, considering the severity of the condition, overall health, age and medical history and available treatment options. Symptoms of toxic epidermal necrolysis can cause blisters to break out on the mucous membranes lining the mouth, throat, anus, genitals and eyes.
When damage to the lining of the mouth has been suffered, eating and even closing the mouth can be difficult and painful. They eyes can become so full of fluid that they become swollen and sealed shut, and sometimes, the corneas can become scarred. Even urinating can be difficult since symptoms of toxic epidermal necrolysis can cause the urethra to be affected. If the mucous membranes of the digestive and respiratory tracts become affected, symptoms of toxic epidermal necrolysis can also include diarrhea and difficulty breathing.
In February 2005, a group of doctors and families called on federal regulators to warn the public that ibuprofen can cause rare but potentially fatal skin reactions like toxic epidermal necrolysis. The group filed a petition with the FDA asking the agency to require ibuprofen labels to carry warnings highlighting the risk of disorders Stevens Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, alerting consumers to stop the drug immediately if a rash appears.
The makers of both Motrin and Advil have been the targets of lawsuits, alleging the children’s formulas do not carry warnings of symptoms of toxic epidermal necrolysis leading to suffering and death in some cases. According to petitioners, nearly no consumers and few U.S. doctors are even aware of the necessity in immediately stopping ibuprofen if a rash appears after beginning its use.