A case of contact dermatitis, erythema multiforme, and toxic epidermal necrolysis

A young adult female patient, on prolonged corticosteroid therapy for nephrotic syndrome, developed erythema multiforme and toxic epidermal necrolysis following a double exposure to a locally applied perfume. We believe that this route of exposure should be re-emphasized. Toxic epidermal necrolysis, or the scalded skin syndrome, has become a well-recognized entity which may be divided into three distinct subgroups: the staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, nonstaphylococcal or drug-induced scalded skin syndrome, and idiopathic. We present a patient who developed a dermatitis on her chest and abdomen after using a spray cologne, which resulted in the development of erythema multiforme with progression to toxic epidermal necrolysis and, ultimately, her death.