Symptoms
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Syndrome Manifestations
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome manifests in one of four ways: eruptions of the skin, eruptions of the mucous membranes, eruptions of both, and/or peeling of the skin in sheets. Skin lesions appear as a severe rash, with fluid-filled bubbles and blisters that are often round, bubble-shaped or target-shaped. In the TEN form of the disease (Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis), large areas of the epidermis (skin) peel off in sheets.
When mucous membranes are involved, the eyes and mouth are almost always seriously affected. The membrane lining the eyes (known as the conjunctiva) is usually severely affected. The throat, nostrils and the anal and genital areas may also be involved, with or without skin lesions elsewhere on the body. Mouth and throat lesions may be so painful as to prevent eating. The intestinal tract may also be affected.
Lesions of the skin and mucous membranes are purplish or red in color, and may be flat or raised. In some cases, the lesions may develop raised fluid-filled centers (bullae/bubble shaped or blisters). Blisters and/or bleeding in the mucous membranes affect the lips, eyes, mouth, nasal passage, and genitals.
Eye involvement, which is present in at least 50% of the cases, includes infection of the membrane of the eye and eyelids (conjunctiva) and abnormal discharge from the conjunctiva (purulent conjunctivitis). Often permanent visual impairment results, including corneal scarring and loss of vision.
Approximately one-third of patients have pulmonary involvement with cough. Often material from the disease that has infiltrated into the lungs shows up on chest x-rays. In fatal cases, renal (kidney) failure and even pneumonia can occur.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome vary with the form of the disease and with individual reactions.
The condition can start with vague feelings on unwellness, headache, joint pain, fever, sore throat. Usually a rash will then begin to form, often having lesions with concentric rings that look like a bulls-eye or target, with a fluid-filled blister or bubble in the center. This painful, blistering/burning rash is usually seen on the extremities, such as the hands, palms, legs, feet and arms rather than on the trunk.
The disease then progresses to blistering of the mucous membranes, including the mouth, lips, eyes, nostrils, throat, and anal and genital areas.
Eye involvement (swelling, peeling, oozing, pus, damaged corneas) can be permanent and can result in vision impairment or blindness.
Mouth and throat involvement can make swallowing or eating almost impossible.
The TEN form of SJS mimics a severe burn with intense pain and peeling of large sheets of skin, as well as serious risk of secondary infection. Hosptilization is required, usually in intensive care or burn units.
Some of the symptoms to watch for include:
- Painful and/or itching skin lesions (flat, raised and/or fluid-filled)Skin blisters and/or bubbles (also known as bullae or vesicles)
- Target-shaped lesions in a circle, bulls-eye or target pattern
- Skin condition usually located on legs, arms, hands, palms and feet, usually not on the torso
- Mucous membrane lesions, bumps, blisters, swelling
- Mouth rash & blisters
- Throat rash & blisters
- Anal rash & blisters
- Genital rash & blisters
- Swollen, oozing, blistered eyes (Conjunctival rash and blisters)
- Bloodshot eyes
- Corneal blisters, erosions or holes
- Eye pain
- Vision loss
- Fever
- General feeling of illness, malaise or exhaustion with flu-like symptoms
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Cough and lung involvement
Complications from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome may include:
- Shock
- Loss of body fluids
- Permanent skin damage and scarring
- Lung damage (pneumonitis)
- Heart damage (myocarditis)
- Liver damage (hepatitis)
- Kidney damage (nephritis)
- On-going or secondary skin infections
- Systemic infections and sepsis (systemic toxicity or poisoning)
SJS is a very serious conditon and should be treated as an emergency situation at first onset. The disease can have life altering consequences for those who survive it, and many do not survive.
If you or a loved one has been afflicted with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, please e-mail or call us today and we will evaluate your Stevens-Johnson claim for free.
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