It's An Emergency
Stevens-Johnson
syndrome is an emergency medical condition. If you have signs and symptoms,
call 911 or emergency medical help, or go to an emergency room immediately.
If you have time
before you go:
Put in a plastic bag
all the medications you've taken in the last three weeks, including prescription and
over-the-counter (nonprescription) drugs. Take the bag with you, as it may help
the doctor figure out what triggered your condition.
Ask a family member or
a friend to come along, if
he or she is available immediately.
You may want to share
relevant health information about yourself with him or her, so this person can
help you when you talk with your doctor.
Questions your doctor
may ask include:
Have you had a
flu-like illness recently?
What other medical
conditions do you have?
What medications have
you taken in the last three weeks?
While you're in the
hospital, you'll likely have questions for your doctor.
It might help to keep
a list of questions you have, such as:
What caused my
condition?
How do I keep from
having this reaction again?
What restrictions do I
need to follow?
I have other medical
conditions. How do I manage them together?
How long will it take
my skin to heal?
Am I likely to have
any permanent damage?
Tests and Diagnosis
Tests and procedures
used to diagnose Stevens-Johnson syndrome include:
Physical exam. Doctors often can identify
Stevens-Johnson syndrome based on your medical history, a physical exam, and
the disorder's signs and symptoms.
Skin test. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor
may remove a sample of skin for laboratory testing (biopsy).
Treatments and Drugs
Stevens-Johnson
syndrome requires hospitalization, often in an intensive care unit or burn
unit.
Stopping nonessential
medications
The first and most
important step in treating Stevens-Johnson syndrome is to discontinue any
medications that may be causing it.
Because it's difficult
to determine exactly which drug may be causing the problem, your doctor may
recommend that you stop taking all nonessential medications.
Supportive care
Supportive care you're
likely to receive while hospitalized includes:
Fluid replacement and
nutrition. Because skin
loss can result in significant loss of fluid from your body, replacing fluids
is an important part of treatment. You may receive fluids and nutrients through
a tube placed through your nose and advanced into your stomach (nasogastric
tube).
Wound care. Cool, wet compresses will help soothe
blisters while they heal. Your health care team may gently remove any dead skin
and place a medicated dressing over the affected areas.
Eye care. You may also see an eye specialist
(ophthalmologist).
Medications
Medications commonly
used in the treatment of Stevens-Johnson syndrome include:
Pain medication to
reduce discomfort
Medication to relieve
itching (antihistamines)
Antibiotics to control
infection, when needed
Medication to reduce
skin inflammation (topical steroids)
If the underlying
cause of Stevens-Johnson syndrome can be eliminated and the skin reaction
stopped, new skin may begin to grow over the affected area within several days.
In severe cases, full recovery may take several months.
Continued in Part 4
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stevens-johnson-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20029623