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Lasting skin problems may cause your hair to fall out, and your fingernails and toenails may not grow as well as they did before. When your skin grows back following Stevens-Johnson syndrome, it may have bumps and unusual coloring (dyspigmentation). The condition may lead to an emergency situation in which the lungs can't get enough oxygen into the blood (acute respiratory failure). In severe cases, it can lead to visual impairment and, rarely, blindness.
The rash caused by Stevens-Johnson syndrome can lead to eye inflammation, dry eye and light sensitivity. Sepsis is a rapidly progressing, life-threatening condition that can cause shock and organ failure. Sepsis occurs when bacteria from an infection enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.
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And sores in the mouth and throat can make fluid intake difficult, resulting in dehydration. Areas where the skin has shed lose fluids. Stevens-Johnson syndrome complications include: Having certain genetic variations puts you at increased risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, especially if you're also taking drugs for seizures, gout or mental illness. If an immediate blood relative has had Stevens-Johnson syndrome, you may be at increased risk of getting it too. A family history of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.If you've had a medication-related form of this condition, you are at risk of a recurrence if you use that drug again. A history of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.People with cancer, particularly blood cancer, are at increased risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The immune system can be affected by an organ transplant, HIV/AIDS and autoimmune diseases. Among people with HIV, the incidence of Stevens-Johnson syndrome is about 100 times greater than among the general population. Risk factorsįactors that increase your risk of developing Stevens-Johnson syndrome include: Infections that can cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome include pneumonia and HIV. Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).Antibacterial sulfonamides (including sulfasalazine).Medications to treat seizures and mental illness (anticonvulsants and antipsychotics).Anti-gout medications, such as allopurinol.You may react to medication while you're using it or up to two weeks after you've stopped using it.ĭrugs that can cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome include: Your health care provider may not be able to identify its exact cause, but usually the condition is triggered by medication, an infection or both. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare and unpredictable illness.
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