When do you suspect toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)? What should be done in the acute phase, and what can be done afterward? These are all questions that arise when a patient presents with severe skin detachment. The recently updated (November 2025) protocol for Steven Johnson Syndrome – Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis guides you through the care of a patient with severe skin detachment.

 

For peer consultation and expert consultation on SJS-TEN: contact the dermatologist on duty at the UMCG Expertise Center for Blister Diseases.

 

Literature:

• Diercks GFH, Meijer JM, Bolling MC, Scholtens-Jaegers SMHJ, Bremer J, Horváth B. Absence of epidermal antibodies in Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis patients but beware of single positive results. Dermatology research and practice. 2024, 5504462. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5504462

• Suspected toxic epidermal necrolysis: a guide to the protocol. Dutch Journal of Dermatology and Venereology, Volume 35, Issue 8, October 2025