When most people think about going to the dermatologist, they think about the standard conditions and procedures like acne treatment and mole removal that most people seek out a skin specialist for. However, there are many different dermatological conditions that a person can suffer from. One of the rarest skin conditions that you may suffer from is known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Get to know more about this rare skin condition so that you know what to look out for in case it affects you or someone that you love.
What Is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a very serious skin condition in which the skin begins to blister and peel off. This can be very serious as a great deal of the surface of the skin can be affected. This also affects the mucous membranes of the body. The top layers of the skin and the mucous membranes will essentially die and fall off. Suffering from Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a serious medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention to prevent the spread of this painful condition.
What Causes This Skin Condition?
Stevens-Johnson is not a skin condition that just develops out of nowhere. It generally has one of two causes. It can be a reaction to a medication or it can be a rare side effect of a viral infection.
When a person develops Stevens-Johnson syndrome as a reaction to a medication, it is often a medication that is an antibiotic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or anticonvulsant, among others. Viral causes can include HIV, herpes, and hepatitis.
What Are The Symptoms Of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?
When a person develops Stevens-Johnson syndrome, the first symptoms are likely much like a case of the flu. This can include a fever, exhaustion or fatigue, cough, and other such flu-like symptoms. Following the flu-like symptoms, the person will develop a red or purple rash that can spread very quickly.
The tongue and mouth as well as the throat can swell and blister will form on the skin as well as possibly inside the mouth. Skin shedding will also occur and all of these symptoms can be quite painful.
How Is Stevens-Johnson Treated?
If a person is diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, the first treatment step is to admit them to the hospital. The next is to try to identify the cause of the condition. Oftentimes, this is a new medication and the treatment for Stevens-Johnson syndrome begins with stopping the use of that medication.
On the other hand, a viral cause can be treated using antiviral medications to try to suppress the viral cells and get the virus under control. However, this is not a direct treatment for Stevens-Johnson syndrome, only a way to try to stop control the underlying cause. IV fluids as well as wound care and antibiotics are used to help prevent further infections and remain hydrated. Steroid creams, antihistamines, and pain medications can also help to relieve the inflammation and discomfort of the condition.
Now that you know more about Stevens-Johnson syndrome, you can be sure that you know what to look out for and you take the necessary steps to care for yourself if the condition affects you in the future. Visit http://ADCderm.com for more information.
Share17 May 2016
My name is Katie Langer. For a long time, I was bed ridden and I felt like I had no control over my life. I simply went along with what was instructed by my doctor and I didn't ask questions. It wasn't that my doctor wasn't willing to work with me, but I preferred to simply not think about the illness I was suffering from. I didn't realize that some of the symptoms I was suffering from were side effects of my medication and were not normal. After communicating more with my doctor, I was able to alleviate my symptoms. Since then, I've taken an interest in patient-doctor relationships and how to improve them.
