Serious Symptoms Of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a serious disorder that affects the mucous membranes and skin. Most cases involve an individual reacting to a new medication or an increased dose of medication they are already taking. It may occur while an individual is taking a medication or up to two weeks after stopping one. Medications that may cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome include anticonvulsants, anti-gout medicines, antipsychotics, and antibacterial sulfonamides. Some pain medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, may also trigger this condition. Infections like pneumonia and HIV can also result in Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome treatment typically requires emergency hospitalization. Patients will also need to stop taking nonessential medication. Fluid replacement for Stevens-Johnson syndrome is common, as is additional nutrition. Many patients will need medication for Stevens-Johnson syndrome. This can include pain medication, topical steroids, and antibiotics. Individuals will also need to develop some new habits as a natural remedy for Stevens-Johnson syndrome and to prevent future occurrences.

Skin Rash

The skin rash does not tend to be the first symptom, but it is the most characteristic one. It is also one of the most serious symptoms because of how the skin becomes damaged. Patients might notice that their skin has become reddened in one or more areas. They might also see raised and reddened spots, called macules. Unlike most harmless rashes, the rash associated with Stevens-Johnson syndrome will rapidly spread across the skin. The patches of redness will form into a rash and then continue attacking other parts of the skin.

Some patients have presented with rashes that look like a target or bullseye. The most common location for the rash to develop is on the face and upper chest, along with the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands. Some patients have limited symptoms that are contained to these parts of the body. Other patients have rashes that spread over hours or days to cover a large part of the body. The condition may be painful or itchy.

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Fever

A fever is often the first symptom to appear. However, patients are unlikely to know that the fever is connected to Stevens-Johnson syndrome until the rash begins. The fever usually sets in anywhere from one to three days before the development of the rash. Other flu-like symptoms may accompany it. Fevers are temporary increases in the body's internal temperature and often indicate that an individual has an illness. However, because so many conditions can cause a fever, it is hard to pinpoint a diagnosis based on that symptom alone.

Some individuals have fevers fairly often. Thus, they may not think anything of it when the Stevens-Johnson syndrome fever develops. Others might believe that the temperature is concerning, since it indicates that something is awry within the body. Most doctors will recommend that patients stay at home and rest when they have a fever, unless they develop other serious symptoms. The exception is if the fever climbs to a height of 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. This indicates that something is sending a patient's immune system into overdrive, and a doctor should evaluate them.

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Blisters

After the initial skin rash appears, the skin will begin to develop blisters. Blisters form on top of the rash where it has erupted over the skin. This causes the skin to become detached and leads to erosion. One serious note is that the blisters associated with this condition are not limited to the skin. They also tend to form on the mucous membranes found throughout the body. Stevens-Johnson syndrome patients might develop blisters on their genitals, nose, or the lining of their mouth. Some of the blisters may erupt and bleed.

Many patients experience blisters and lesions on their lips, which tend to cause severe pain. It is difficult to eat when the blisters affect the lips and the interior of the mouth. Lesions might also form within the urinary tract. When this happens, patients may become unable to urinate because of pain. They may also experience a diminished flow of urine. The mucous membranes of the body might become involved before the skin. Alternatively, they may develop symptoms after the rash has already spread.

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Widespread Skin Pain

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is an incredibly painful condition. The rash might itch at first, but it will often escalate into stinging or burning pain. The blisters themselves are also extremely painful, as they cause massive open wounds on the skin. Open blisters are susceptible to infection. With Stevens-Johnson syndrome, around ten percent of a patient's skin will be affected by blisters and rashes. This means that patients might contend with open wounds on ten percent of their body. Another condition adjacent to Stevens-Johnson syndrome is toxic epidermal necrolysis. Toxic epidermal necrolysis presents the same way but affects at least thirty percent of a patient's skin.

Much of the hospital treatment will focus on reducing the pain from the raw and wounded skin. Patients will typically be prescribed heavy pain medication. A cold and moist compress can be used to remove dead skin and clean injured areas. When patients have blisters on their lips or their mouths, they may be treated with anesthetic mouthwash to numb the pain. Managing the pain of the condition is one of the biggest concerns.

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Sore Throat And Mouth

Along with the fever and a general feeling of unwellness, patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome may develop a sore throat and mouth before the more serious symptoms. The mouth and throat may also become sore and painful when the mucous membranes become involved. It is common for the inner lining of the patient's mouth and lips to be affected by sores and open wounds. The level of mucous membrane involvement varies from person to person. Some patients do not have many mucous-related symptoms, but they have severe skin rashes.

Patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome may notice mild mucous-related symptoms in their throat and mouth. These symptoms stay mild for some patients, but for others, the symptoms progress rapidly and become extremely painful and severe. The progression tends to be as rapid as the progression of the rash and skin symptoms. The patient's mouth may be sore before the rash develops, or it might become sore afterward.