Stevens-Johnson syndrome: etiology, clinical picture, treatment

Recognizing the signs of skin emergencies and knowing how to act if they are detected can save lives.

There are not many truly life-threatening conditions in dermatology, timely diagnosis of which is critical to patient survival.

Usually, in such cases, the dermatologist only makes or confirms the diagnosis, and treatment is carried out in the intensive care unit, since "death breathes in the face" of such patients.

On estet-portal.com read about a serious emergency in the practice of a dermatologist &ndash ; Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

• Stevens Syndrome – Johnson: disease prevalence
• Clinical picture of Stevens syndrome – Johnson
• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Treatment Rulesа

Stevens Syndrome – Johnson: disease prevalence

When a dermatologist hears that a patient with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is coming in, his heart starts beating faster.

This is due to the fact that despite the correct treatment, the disease often ends in death, which is often due to an attached infection.

The cause of this syndrome is the use of antibiotics, especially penicillins, fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins, medicines that contain sulfo group, antiepileptic drugs and other drugs .

The prevalence of this disease, as well as mortality in Stevens-Johnson syndrome can be quite high.

Treatment of this syndrome requires mandatory hospitalization and depending on the severity, hospitalization in an intensive care unit or a burns unitare required.

Causes of toxic skin reactions

Clinical picture of Stevens syndrome – Johnson

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis is manifested by patchy rashes that rapidly spread and coalesce, followed by the formation of epidermal vesicles, necrosis and shedding of the superficial layers of the skin. 

In adults, Stevens-Johnson syndrome usually develops in response to medications started in the previous 3 weeks.

Basically, in Stevens-Johnson syndrome the skin simply flakes off, leaving a bare dermis.

This is accompanied by incredible pain, so most patients stay in the hospital for a week to a month, as they need not only care, but also constant pain relief.

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Stevens-Johnson syndrome treatment guidelines

The most important point in the treatment of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is proper wound care, as most deaths from this disease are associated with the development of sepsis due to the spread of infection.

Infusions of fluids, electrolytes, blood products are also provided.

Cyclosporin may be used, which suppresses CD8 cells and reduces mortality in Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Daily care of wounds, as in burns, is the main rule in the treatment of Stevens syndrome – Johnson.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome may be associated with long-term effects, especially mucosal lesions.

This syndrome can cause scarring in the esophagus, vaginal mucosa and urethra, so timely treatment is very important.

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