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Stevens Johnsons Syndrome is a serious skin problem. It is due to hypersensitivity of the skin and affects the mucous membranes. Stevens Johnsons Syndrome is a disorder related with the immune system of the body. It could be caused due to reaction of some drugs, viral infections or malignancies. It could be fatal. However, it does not lead to cancer. The leading cause of Stevens Johnsons Syndrome is use of antibiotics and sulfa drugs. Around 15% of the people infected with Stevens Johnsons Syndrome die.
Initially, it starts with symptoms similar to flu. Later, red or purplish rashes accompany it. These rashes spread to other parts of body and blisters may be formed. And, in still later stage, outer layer of the dies and sheds itself.
Rashes are developed on the skin. It comprises of erythematous (red) papules, vesicles, bullae. There may also be scars or the iris lesions. When the Stevens Johnsons Syndrome contains mucosal lesions, the patient may contact conjunctivitis or mouth ulcers and genital ulcers. If the Stevens Johnsons Syndrome is severe, it may lead to blindness. However, Stevens Johnsons Syndrome occurs rarely and has an incidence of one in a million case per year. The infected person experiences severe pain and anxiety.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a critical condition and requires hospitalization. The underlying factors are removed to cure and reduce the complications of the Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Treatment of the Stevens-Johnson syndrome can last from several weeks to months, based on the complications in the patient. If the disease was a result of some medication, then that drug should be avoided for life.
The symptoms of Stevens-Johnson syndrome are listed below -
- Swelling of the face
- Swelling in the tongue or heaviness in the tongue
- Pain in the Skin
- A red or purple skin rash that is very quick to spread
- Formation of blisters or ulcers in the mouth, nose, eyes
- Skin Shedding
If case one has Stevens-Johnson syndrome, one may feel feverish, have soar throat and irritation in throat, cough and cold and burning sensation in the eyes. These symptoms are experienced much before the rashes appear on the skin.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome may lead to the following complications
- Secondary skin infection (cellulitis): This skin infection can cause meningitis and paralyze one or more parts of the body.
- Sepsis. When a bacteria containing infection spreads in the body through the bloodstream. Sepsis is a spreads quickly and can result in failure of some organs and can prove fatal.
- Eye problems: There could be swelling in the eyes. The patient can experience dryness and irritation in the eyes. If the infection is severe, there could be visual impairment.
- Internal organs: Stevens-Johnson syndrome can cause soars in our internal organs, which can result pneumonitis, myocarditis, nephritis and hepatitis.
- There could be permanent skin problems even after the new skin grows. The skin could be uneven or there may be scars left even on the new skin. The fingernails and toenails can become brittle.
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