Advances in Steven-Johnson Syndrome Treatment
Immediate medical attention is key to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome treatmentt. The illness is most often caused by an allergic reaction to a medication and can be deadly at worst, excruciatingly painful at best.
The illness has been linked to various over-the-counter and prescription drugs such as anti-gout medications, penicillin, anticonvulsants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. While medical personnel are unable to determine the root cause of the condition in up to 50 percent of cases, and certain viral infections have also been associated with the illness, medications are by far the most common known trigger.
At the onset of the illness, which can occur as much as two weeks after the patient ingested the offending drugs, the sufferer may experience flu-like symptoms like headaches, a cough, body aches and fever. In many cases, a dark red, painful rash develops and spreads within hours. Blisters on the mucous membranes and severe swelling of the eyelids are also distinct symptoms. If left untreated, large pieces of skin may ultimately separate from the body, giving the patient an appearance similar to that of a burn victim.