What is SJS

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are potentially fatal adverse reactions to medications such as antibiotics, anti-convulsants, anti-depressants and anti-inflammatory drugs (prescription and non prescription such as ibuprofen). Cocaine has recently been added to the list of causative agents and there have been reported cases related to herbal supplements containing ginseng. In rare cases the syndrome can be caused by infection or cancer.

SJS patients have severe blistering of the skin and mucus membranes including the mouth, eyes and genitals. When the involvement of the body is greater than 30% the classification is changed to TEN which literally means “toxic skin death”. The blisters progress so that “sheets” of skin are lost from large areas of the body. Huge amounts of fluids and salts seep from the raw, exposed tissues. It’s important to emphasize that the loss of skin externally, referred to as sloughing, is matched internally by shedding of the lining of mucosal membranes such as the mouth, throat, lungs and gastrointestinal tract. Both stages of involvement are life threatening.

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