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Dermatologic Emergencies

»	“Dermatologic emergencies” sounds like an oxymoron. Are there dermatologic emergencies?
»	What are the major groups of dermatologic emergencies?
Vesiculobullous Disorders and Drug Reactions
»	How does toxic epidermal necrolysis differ from the Stevens-Johnson syndrome or erythema multiforme major?
»	How do you treat TEN?
»	How do you treat Stevens-Johnson syndrome?
»	What is pemphigus vulgaris?
»	Describe Nikolsky’s sign and its relationship to pemphigus vulgaris.
»	How is pemphigus vulgaris treated?
»	What is the DRESS syndrome?
Infectious Diseases
»	Are any dermatologic emergencies infectious in origin?
»	Can emergent infections be differentiated by their cutaneous presentations?
»	What is the differential to consider in hemorrhagic lesions other than infection?
»	What causes necrotizing fasciitis?
»	Describe the clinical presentation of necrotizing fasciitis.
»	Can other cutaneous infections look like necrotizing fasciitis?
»	Are there any parasitic disease “emergencies” that have cutaneous manifestations?
»	Are there any other parasitic disease emergencies?
»	Do mycobacterial infections cause any dermatologic emergencies?
Autoimmune Disorders
»	What collagen vascular diseases may become dermatologic emergencies?
»	What are the cutaneous findings in acute and bullous SLE?
»	How does neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) present?
»	Why are prompt recognition and treatment of NLE important?
»	Why is dermatomyositis considered an emergency?
»	What is leukocytoclastic vasculitis?
»	What are the skin signs of Still’s disease?
Inflammatory Cutaneous Disorders
»	Why is pyoderma gangrenosum a dermatologic emergency?
»	How does pyoderma gangrenosum present?
»	Under what circumstances do childhood vascular anomalies become dermatologic emergencies?
»	How are hemangiomas treated?
»	Is acne fulminans a dermatologic emergency?
»	What is the treatment for acne fulminans?
»	Are there drug eruptions that are dermatologic emergencies?
»	What are the mucocutaneous findings in Kawasaki’s disease?
»	How do you treat Kawasaki’s syndrome?
Environmental Disorders
»	Is heatstroke considered a dermatologic emergency?
»	What are the cutaneous signs of child abuse?
»	What are the skin signs of a lightning strike?
»	What is scleredema neonatorum?
»	What are the cutaneous findings in cholesterol emboli?
»	How are cholesterol emboli diagnosed?

What is the treatment for acne fulminans?

The treatment for this condition is high-dose oral steroids (e.g., prednisone) and early institution of oral retinoids such as 13-cis-retinoic acid. Paradoxically, oral retinoic acid can also induce acne fulminans in the first month of treatment. Physicians who use this medication should be aware of this potential side effect.