Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a very serious skin condition that can result in death in some cases. This disease can affect all age groups, even children, and is most commonly caused through medication, some of which are known to increase the risk of getting SJS. This skin disorder causes massive discomfort and pain, yet because of the non-specific early symptoms of the disease it can be difficult to realize that you have SJS until it gets into the latter stages. Some of the early symptoms include aching, coughing, fever, and headaches. As the disease progresses, a rash appears, and this can soon develop into blisters in and on various areas of the body.
With regards to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome in children, medication is usually the cause of the disease. However, this condition can stem from other causes, some of which are not even known. Some of the medications that have been linked to SJS in children include children’s Motrin, Advil, and other ibuprofen-based drugs. These drugs have hit the headlines on a number of occasions after being identified as the cause in a range of cases where children have become seriously ill with SJS.
Some of the other medications that have also been linked to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome include various antibiotics, penicillin, phenytoin, and Bextra, which has now been removed from the market. In some cases, the cause of SJS has been identified as a viral or bacterial infection, and even radiation therapy can result in this disorder. As with adults, there are times when medical experts are unable to pinpoint the cause of the onset of this disease in children.
In many cases, the drugs that can result in Stevens-Johnson Syndrome contain no warning about this potentially deadly side effect, although this is something that the Food and Drugs Administration has been cracking down on. This is also true of children’s medications. Drug manufacturers of various children’s drugs that have been linked to SJS have been told to add warnings to the packaging so that parents are fully aware of the risks of administering the medication to their child.
Any child that shows any of the symptoms of SJS should be taken to a doctor for medical attention immediately. If your child is taking any of the drugs and medications that have been associated with SJS, it is best to see a medical professional no matter how slight the chance of your child suffering from SJS. Because the early symptoms of SJS can be so generalized many parents might feel as though they are going over the top by seeing a doctor. However, if your child is taking high risk medication it is far better to be safe than sorry.
Treatment for a child with SJS
If your child is diagnosed with SJS, the doctor will first need to identify the cause of the disorder, as this will determine the treatment and steps required. If the disease has occurred as a reaction to medication, the child will need to stop taking the drug with immediately. Your child may be treated in the burn unit at the hospital depending on the severity of the symptoms. It is important that anyone with this type of disease is treated in the cleanest environment, as this is a disease that leaves both adults and children open to secondary infections. If the child has already contracted an infection on top of the SJS, the doctor may also need to administer antibiotics.
The treatment for a child with SJS can vary depending on the health of the child and the severity of the disease. Your child may need fluid replacement and topical steroids, and the doctor may also have to administer oral and eye exams and treatments.
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