Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a skin and mucous membrane disorder caused by an allergic reaction to a drug or infection. Mucous membranes are generally found in the inner parts of the respiratory tract, digestive tract, reproductive tract and other organs. Initially, this syndrome was first discovered in 1922 as a disease that could attack anyone and was a quite serious condition.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome occurs due to the body's hypersensitivity reaction to drugs or infections. This disease is an emergency condition that requires treatment and hospitalization in hospital. This condition can be cured by treating the underlying cause or immediately stopping the consumption of drugs that have the potential to cause Steven-Johnson Syndrome to prevent complications that may arise. Apart from that, the skin condition can completely heal in approximately weeks to months, depending on the severity. What are the causes, symptoms and treatment of Stevens Johnson Syndrome ?
Causes of Stevens Johnson Syndrome
In adults, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome can be caused by allergies to the following drugs:
- Febrifuge
- Gout medication
- Pain relievers
- Antibiotic medication
- Antiviral drugs
- Anti-seizure medication
- Herbal medicines such as slimming medicines
Meanwhile, in children, this syndrome is more often triggered by viral infections or drug allergies. However, in rare cases, this condition can also be caused by bacterial infection.
Some viral infections that can cause Stevens-Johnson Syndrome are:
- Pneumonia .
- HIV.
- Hepatitis A
- Mumps.
- Influenza.
- Bornholm disease.
- Herpes.
Symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome
The initial symptoms that appear in Stevens-Johnson Syndrome resemble flu symptoms, namely:
- Fever up to 38 degrees Celsius or more.
- The body feels tired.
- Stinging in the mouth and throat.
- Eyes feel hot.
- Cough.
- Joint pain.
- Headache .
As the symptoms worsen, signs and symptoms on the skin begin to appear along with the symptoms above, which are as follows:
- Widespread skin pain.
- A red or purple rash that spreads.
- Blisters on the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals.
- Skin changes within a few days after the skin blisters.
How is it treated?
Treatment for Stevens-Johnson Syndrome needs to be done in hospital until the burns and blisters that appear on the skin slowly disappear. Based on the severity, treatment can vary for each condition. Some common treatments include the use of antibiotics. Here are some ways to treat it:
- Stop Taking Drugs
The first step in treating Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is to stop using the drugs that are thought to be the trigger. The doctor will review the patient's medication history and discontinue any suspect medications. In some cases, a safe treatment alternative may be given to replace the drug that has been discontinued. - Providing Additional Nutrition and Fluids
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome patients often experience dehydration and loss of body fluids due to severe skin injuries. Providing additional fluids and nutrition can help with treatment and prevent complications. Therefore, administering additional fluids and nutrition via intravenous infusion or nasogastric tube is essential to maintain optimal fluid and nutritional balance. - Injury cure
Skin wounds resulting from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome require careful and targeted treatment. The doctor will treat the wound by applying a cold, wet compress to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation, as well as removing dead, peeling skin to prevent infection and applying a gentle moisturizer to help the healing process. - Eye Care
If the eyes are affected by Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, special treatment by an ophthalmologist is necessary. This may include the use of eye drops containing steroids to reduce inflammation and other medications to maintain eye moisture and prevent further damage. - Drug Use
Apart from hospital treatment, the use of certain medications can also help in treating Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Pain relievers such as analgesics can be used to reduce pain in skin wounds. Antibiotics can be given to control infections that can occur in skin wounds. Additionally, the use of oral corticosteroids or immune globulin via intravenous infusion or IV drip can help reduce inflammation and modulate the body's immune response.
With appropriate treatment and intensive hospital care, as well as ongoing medical support, patients with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome have hope of making a full recovery. However, it is important to remember that treatment of this condition must be carried out by a trained and experienced medical team, because Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a serious condition and requires serious medical attention as well. Awareness of symptoms and potential causes and prompt treatment are key to minimizing the risk of complications and speeding up the patient's recovery process.
Also read: Recognize Psoriasis, Chronic Skin Inflammation Due to Autoimmune
Article written by dr. Syahriani, Sp.DV, M.Kes., FINSDV (Specialist in Dermatology and Venereology at EMC Sentul Hospital).