Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare, serious disorder of your skin and mucous membranes. It's usually a reaction to a medication or an infection. Often, Stevens-Johnson syndrome begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful red or purplish rash that spreads and blisters. Then the top layer of the affected skin dies and sheds.
SJS usually begins with fever, sore throat, and fatigue, which is commonly misdiagnosed and therefore treated with antibiotics. Ulcers and other lesions begin to appear in the mucous membranes, almost always in the mouth and lips, but also in the genital and anal regions. Those in the mouth are usually extremely painful and reduce the patient's ability to eat or drink. Conjunctivitis of the eyes occurs in about 30% of children who develop SJS.[medical citation needed] A rash of round lesions about an inch across arises on the face, trunk, arms and legs, and soles of the feet, but usually not the scalp
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a medical emergency that usually requires hospitalization. Treatment focuses on eliminating the underlying cause, controlling symptoms and minimizing complications.
Recovery after Stevens-Johnson syndrome can take weeks to months, depending on the severity of your condition. If it was caused by a medication, you'll need to permanently avoid that drug and others closely related to it.
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CAUSES
SJS is thought to arise from a disorder of the immune system.
1. The immune reaction can be triggered by drugs or infections.
2. Genetic factors are associated with a predisposition to SJS.
The cause of SJS is unknown in one-quarter to one-half of cases.
You're more likely to get SJS if you have:
1. HIV or other problems with your immune system
2. Had SJS before
3. Certain genes you inherit from your parents
4. Radiation treatments
TREATMENT:
You'll be treated for SJS in the hospital by a special team of doctors and nurses. Some people are treated in a burn center or intensive care unit.
The first thing doctors will do is to stop the medication or treat the infection that made you sick. They'll also try to relieve your symptoms, prevent infections, and support your healing.
Replace fluids and nutrients. Your body needs to stay hydrated, and your skin needs protein to rebuild. You'll probably get fluids from an IV at first, then be fed through a tube that goes into your stomach through your nose.
Wound care: Hospital staff will keep your skin clean. They'll gently remove dead skin and cover bare patches with a special dressing.
Eye care: Your care team will clean your eyes and use special drops and creams to keep them from drying out.
You could be in the hospital from 2 to 4 weeks. It takes time to recover from SJS, and most people do.
Treatment of SJS doesnt come cheap and here in Nigeria we do not have very good medical hands to care for it.
A woman with SJS/TEN overlap who was has been in the hospital for 4months and exactly 1week and there was no significant recovery. Her Daughter met me and told me about the situation of her mum. I prescribed Trevo to her, although i told her that hers would be the first case with SJS. After using 12bottles of Trevo the woman was completely healed and was discharged yesterday the 11th Day of August 2015..
Mr Paul-09093200039.
