Dermatological Emergencies in Critical Care

Abstract

Non-burn dermatologic emergencies are associated with high morbidity and mortality, which can be lowered by multidisciplinary care at a burn center. However, because of the sparse distribution of these institutions, intensivists at non-burn centers typically provide the initial management and triage of these patients. This can be particularly challenging because of the absence of standardized guidelines for triaging these patients. This Focused Review provides triage criteria and a framework for the clinical management of common non-burn dermatologic emergencies. It includes guidance on airway management, fluid resuscitation, nutrition, thermoregulation, and wound care, as well as an overview of the most frequently encountered non-burn related skin emergencies.

Keywords: dermatology; emergency treatment; intensive care units; skin diseases; triage.