The skin is the largest organ in the body, so when it is affected by disease it can be quite worrisome.
Rashes may appear on the skin as a reaction to excessive heat, or an allergic reaction to any number of substances. However, some life-threatening diseases and conditions present with itchy, painful, or weepy rashes. Here are nine rare, yet dangerous, skin diseases that may cause painful and horrifying skin changes.
DRESS Syndrome
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a rare, yet painful reaction to a medication. This condition, also known as drug hypersensitivity syndrome, causes fever and organ damage in addition to a rash. Early symptoms of this condition include fever, lethargy, and upper respiratory symptoms. Exposure to medications such as certain anti-seizure drugs, antibiotics, and gout medications can result in symptoms of this rare condition within one to six weeks. Treatment begins with discontinuing the offending drug. Doctors may also recommend hospitalization, dialysis, fluid replacement, and corticosteroids to treat this condition.
Meningococcal Meningitis
This is caused by infection with the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Typical symptoms of meningitis include fever, headache, and a stiff neck. If meningitis infects the bloodstream, a patient may progress to meningococcal septicemia and bleeding beneath the skin. As the infection damages blood vessels, the patient may experience fever, chills, exhaustion, vomiting, muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, and a rash. This disease is fairly common in many parts of Africa, especially among infants. People living in crowded quarters such as hostels, and people who have had their spleens removed are also at risk of this disease.
Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS)
The symptoms of this condition include irritability, fatigue, fever, red skin, and painful, fluid-filled blisters.Also, the top layer of the affected child’s skin may peel away in large sheets. Treatment usually consists of antibiotics, IV fluids, tube feedings, pain medications, and wound care. SSSS is most commonly seen in children under the age of five. A weakened immune system or chronic kidney disease may also increase an individual’s risk of this rare condition.
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
This syndrome is caused by an infection with Staph. aureus bacteria. The skin rash of toxic shock syndrome may resemble that of a sunburn. Other symptoms of TSS may include fever, lightheadedness, nausea, headache, muscle aches, and diarrhea. Risk factors for TSS include cuts, burns, surgery, recent viral infections, and the use of superabsorbent tampons. It is critical to treat this infection in order to prevent complications such as shock, kidney failure, and death. Treatment for this infection may include antibiotics, IV fluids, and blood pressure medications.
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)
SJS is a rare skin condition resulting in a rash that forms blisters and then peels away. A more severe form of this condition is known as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). This condition is so severe that patients with this condition are often treated in the burn units of hospitals. SJS may occur as a reaction to medications. In other cases, SJS appears to be an inherited condition. When a medication triggers SJS, that medicine is discontinued. Treatment may then consist of IV fluids, wound care, tube feedings, and antibiotics. Complications of SJS can include pneumonia, sepsis, organ failure, shock, and death.
