Certain skin diseases, particularly those involving severe infections, can be life-threatening.
Deadly Skin Conditions
Based on the provided reference, skin conditions that can lead to death primarily involve infections causing serious complications. These include:
- Necrotising Fasciitis (NF): This is a severe bacterial infection that destroys tissue under the skin. The reference specifies that it is a common dermatological condition requiring admission and can lead to organ dysfunction, contributing to high mortality rates.
- Cutaneous Cellulitis: While cellulitis itself can be treated, severe cases can lead to complications such as sepsis or organ dysfunction if left untreated, making it a life-threatening condition. The reference identifies this as one of the common infections that require admission and can result in subsequent organ dysfunction.
How These Infections Become Deadly:
These infections can be deadly due to:
- Rapid progression: Necrotising fasciitis can spread very quickly, causing extensive tissue damage in a short amount of time.
- Systemic Effects: These severe infections can lead to sepsis, which is a life-threatening response by the body to infection that can cause organ failure.
- Organ dysfunction: Both infections can cause organ dysfunction, increasing the severity of the condition and raising the mortality risk.
Severity and Treatment
The reference highlights that patients admitted with primary dermatological conditions have a high mortality rate, underlining the seriousness of these diseases. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment (usually involving antibiotics and surgery for NF) are crucial for patient survival.
Table of Life-Threatening Skin Infections
| Condition | Description | Potential Deadly Complications |
|---|---|---|
| Necrotising Fasciitis | Severe bacterial infection destroying tissue under the skin. | Sepsis, organ dysfunction, death |
| Severe Cutaneous Cellulitis | Bacterial infection that extends into the skin layers and surrounding tissues. | Sepsis, organ dysfunction, death |
