Education

What Is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/TEN?

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a serious skin condition in which the body's own immune system attacks the skin.  As this process happens the skin begins to blister and die, after which it sloughs off. A distinguishing characteristic of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome from other skin disorders is the presence of mucosal involvement, including mouth, eyes, and other mucosal openings that blister and slough skin.  SJS is characterized by 10% or less of the total body surface area being involved.  In contrast, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) is characterized by 30% or more of the patient's body surface area being affected.
SJS/TEN is often caused by medications (most commonly medications for seizures, gout, and infection).  Once the cause is identified, the medication is stopped immediately.
SJS/TEN is a medical emergency, and patients should be treated ideally, in a hospital with a burn center or where providers have expertise in dealing with this condition. Below is a hyperlink to a Journal of the American Medical Association Dermatology Patient Page reviewing what SJS/TEN is and a basic overview of diagnosis and treatment.