[Emergencies in dermatology : From gonorrhea to angioedema]

The spectrum of dermatological emergencies is diverse. Infections, in particular sexually transmitted infections, anaphylactic reactions, and cutaneous drug reactions are common causes for patients to present themselves to the dermatological emergency service. If a sexually transmitted infection is suspected, it is important for the physician to recognize which diseases need immediate treatment to avoid late complications. This requires a reliable diagnosis and knowledge of the appropriate therapy. Cutaneous drug reactions can take many forms. There is a spectrum of reactions that occur immediately after the administration of a medication (which manifest themselves as anaphylaxis), to those that can appear weeks after the initiation of a therapy. These reactions can be harmless and self-limiting, but also be life-threatening. It is essential for physicians in everyday clinical practice to recognize drug intolerances in time and to treat them appropriately.