Dermatologic emergencies

Abstract

Dermatologic emergencies represent about 8–20% of the diseases seen in the Emergency Department of hospitals. It is often a challenge for primary care physicians to differentiate mundane skin ailments from more serious, life threatening conditions that require immediate intervention. In this review we included the following conditions: Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrosis, pemphigus vulgaris, toxic shock syndrome, fasciitis necrotising, angioedema/urticaria, meningococcemia, Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Keywords

• Dermatologic emergencies
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrosis
• Pemphigus vulgaris
• Toxic shock syndrome
• Fasciitis necrotising
• Angioedema/urticaria
• Meningococcemia
• Lyme disease
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever