Identifying Life-Threatening Skin Rashes

If you notice any of the following symptoms, it's crucial to recognize life-threatening skin rashes early and seek immediate medical attention:

Rash

• Any sudden onset rash covering a large part of the body.
• Rash occurring shortly after starting a new medication.
• Rash starting either after the onset or resolution of a flu-like illness.

Mouth sores: Seek medical attention if mouth sores make it difficult to drink clear liquids.

Red eyes: If you experience a sudden onset of red, inflamed eyes along with a rash or other illness, seek medical help.

Dizziness or lightheadedness when standing.

If you experience the following symptoms, go to the hospital's emergency department:

• Rashes that begin to blister over large portions of the body surface or when large portions of skin start to peel.
• Fainting or passing out.
• Mouth sores that are too painful to drink even small sips of liquids.

Self-Care at Home

Since these disorders are life-threatening, home care is limited. Early recognition of symptoms and prompt medical attention are essential. However, while en route to the doctor, you can take the following measures for symptom relief:

Blisters

• Do not break intact blisters.
• As blisters break, avoid peeling away loose skin.
• Cover blisters with sterile gauze or clean sheets.
• Do not apply ointments or creams to blistered or raw skin.

Fever

• You can give acetaminophen (Tylenol) to control fever and alleviate some pain and discomfort.
• Do not attempt to lower fever with cold-water soaks or baths, as it may increase internal temperature.
• If the fever is severe, you may use lukewarm water-soaked towels to wipe down areas of the body without blisters.

Red eyes

• Do not attempt to treat any rash affecting the eyes without seeking medical attention.
• Do not use eye drops of any kind.

Mouth ulcers or sores

• Do not use mouthwash or oral rinses to treat mouth sores at home.
• Dehydration can occur if mouth sores are severe and pain limits fluid intake.
• Encourage frequent small sips of water or a sports drink to prevent or limit dehydration.

Follow-up

Each case and disorder require different follow-up care. Your hospital care provider will determine the most suitable follow-up plan for you. Some considerations include:

• Wound care: Keep all healing wounds clean and dry. Use prescribed medications or ointments as instructed by your doctor.
• Antibiotics: If prescribed upon hospital discharge, complete the full course even if you feel better to avoid complications.
• Steroids: Follow the doctor's instructions regarding the duration and tapering of steroid use. Abruptly stopping steroids can have serious side effects and may require rehospitalization.

Prevention

Prevention can be challenging as the causes of these disorders are often unclear. However, consider the following guidelines:

• Avoid medications to which you have known allergies, but serious medication allergies are rare.
• Many infections associated with these disorders are typically harmless and hard to avoid.
• Prevent toxic shock syndrome (TSS) by changing tampons frequently. Super-absorbent tampons are no longer available in the US, and current tampons are considered safe.

Outlook

These disorders carry a serious risk of death if left untreated. Early treatment and care in a hospital or intensive care unit significantly improve the chances of survival. Here is the outlook for specific conditions:

Pemphigus vulgaris: With early treatment, 5-15% may still succumb. Delayed treatment increases the risk. Long-term steroid use may be required for control.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome: With treatment, there's a 90% chance of survival.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis: Even with treatment, 30-50% may have a poor outcome and may not survive.

Toxic shock syndrome: With medical treatment, 92-95% of individuals recover.

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome: This condition has a more favorable recovery rate, with only a small percentage resulting in death.