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Warning-sign checks

Toxic epidermal necrolysis: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency medical care now for a painful or rapidly spreading rash with blisters, peeling skin, or sores involving the mouth, eyes, or genitals.

    This is especially important after starting a medicine within the previous several weeks.

    Fever combined with skin pain, facial swelling, blistering, or a spreading dark-red rash also needs emergency assessment.

    Do not drive yourself if you are severely unwell.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    If TEN has already been diagnosed, hospital staff should be told immediately about trouble breathing, worsening confusion, reduced urination, new eye pain, or sudden changes in vision.

    Contact your follow-up team sooner for increasing pain, pus, unpleasant wound odour, fever, worsening redness, or new vision symptoms.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    After discharge, routine follow-up is used to monitor healing, review the suspected medicine, and check for lasting eye, skin, mouth, or genital problems.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Toxic epidermal necrolysis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.