Symptoms and Causes of Steven Johnson's Syndrome

Steven Johnson's Syndrome is an allergic skin condition which is even life endangering if not diagnosed and treated early. Being listed as one of the rarest diseases found in the world, the SJS is known to affect the skin, eyes and the mucous membrane. It is one of the most life endangering diseases of recent times. Let us understand the causes and symptoms of the rare disease called Steven Johnson Syndrome.

• Causes of Steven Johnson's Syndrome:

It is known to be an allergic reaction to certain medicines or certain allergic diseases. Medically the following situations are known to be the probable cause of the Syndrome:

Histoplasmosis, Barbiturates, Diltiazem, Ibritumomab tiuxetan, Staphylococcus aureus, Herpes virus 2, Thiabendazole, Penicillamine, Sulphonylureas, Ethotoin, Orf, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Phenobarbital, Nevirapine, Sulphonamides, Suramin, Thiacetazone, Carbamazepine, Lamotrigine, Leflunomide, Phenylbutazone, Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, Streptomycin, Sulphasalazine, Chlormezanone, Isoniazid, Herpes simplex, Primidone, Terbinafine, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Procainamide, Phenytoin, Clindamycin, etc. This is the most exhaustive medical list of the probable causes of SJS.

Other cause of Steven Johnson's Syndrome as per the ever evolving scientific researches are oral lesions, stomatitis, genital herpes, herpes simplex, oral infections, epidermal necrolysis, scalded skin, staphylococcal syndrome, patterned erythema, etc. Scientists and medical experts are always on the look out for finding the causes for it and in the process, even look out for the symptoms of similarly related, rare diseases. This helps them in better understanding the causes that trigger the SJ Syndrome.

The causes of it are majorly allergic reactions and these are borne out of the intake of certain drugs and medicines. Reactions to certain infectious diseases too trigger SJ Syndrome. Home allergy tests can even be conducted to diagnose the Steven Johnson's Syndrome.

• Symptoms of Steven Johnson's Syndrome:

Steven JS has been found to be more biased towards men. Females in comparison to men have lower chances of getting the SJ Syndrome. Children and young adults too are at a risk of getting infected with it.

Some of the major symptoms of Steven Johnson's Syndrome include painful Skin lesions, Skin blisters, Mucous membrane lesions, Mouth rash, Mouth blisters, Throat rash, Throat blisters, Anus rash, Anus blisters, Genital rash, Genital blisters, Conjunctival rash, Conjunctival blisters, Target shaped blisters on the eyes, Skin, Mouth or genitals, Tiredness, Fever, Malaise, Mild itching, Burning sensation, Joint pain, Muscle pain, Mucous membrane ulcer, Painful skin blisters, Painful conjunctivitis, etc. This is the complete list of all the probable symptoms of the syndrome.

Patients suffering from will have at least two to three of the above mentioned symptoms. Certain symptoms of SJS even cause serious complications like Conjunctivitis, Iritis, Corneal blisters, Corneal erosions, Corneal hole, Corneal scarring, Loss of vision, Genital ulcers, Keratitis, Nikolsky sign, Eosinophilia, Intra epidermal blistering, Dry eyes, Conjunctivitis, Vesiculo bullous rash, Oral ulceration and even may eventually lead to death.

Prevention is better than cure. In case of Steven Johnson's syndrome, it really is!