^

Health

A
A
A

Stevens-Johnson syndrome: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
 
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is an acute disease that has a severe course and causes blisters on the skin and mucous membranes. Stevens-Johnson syndrome occurs most often in young people, and men are more often affected than women.

What causes Stevens-Johnson syndrome?

The exact cause of Stevens-Johnson syndrome is unknown, but it is likely to be a perverted immune response. The most common and rapidly acting factor is hypersensitivity to drugs or viral infections. The main manifestation of Stevens-Johnson syndrome is acute vasculitis, which damages the skin and mucous membranes in all patients and the conjunctiva in 90% of patients. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a self-limiting process: after the acute stage is over, most patients recover, and the functions of the damaged tissues are restored.

Symptoms of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Stevens-Johnson syndrome presents with fever, malaise, sore throat, possible cough and arthralgia, which last up to 2 weeks. Scabbed eyelids and self-limiting papillary conjunctivitis are the most common symptoms of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Severe membranous or pseudomembranous conjunctivitis with the development of limited conjunctival infarcts and the appearance of areas of fibrosis is less common.

After the acute phase of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, scarring does not occur.

Complications of Stevens-Johnson syndrome

  • Symblepharon and keratinization.
  • Lacrimation caused by blockage of the lacrimal points.
  • "Dry" eye as a result of dysfunction of the lacrimal gland or blockage of the ducts.
  • Secondary keratopathy due to cicatricial inversion of the eyelid, abnormal growth of eyelashes or keratinization of the conjunctiva.

trusted-source[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ]

What do need to examine?

How to examine?

Treatment of Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Treatment of Stevens-Johnson syndrome involves the use of systemic corticosteroids. Acyclovir is prescribed if the cause of Stevens-Johnson syndrome is the herpes simplex virus.

Topical corticosteroids are started early and used throughout the disease to treat vasculitis and prevent the formation of areas of conjunctival necrosis.

A scleral ring, which consists of a large contact lens without a central zone, can be successfully used to prevent the development of symblepharon during the acute phase of the disease. Other treatments for Stevens-Johnson syndrome include topical retinoic acid to prevent the development of keratinization, tear substitutes, therapeutic contact lenses, as well as punctal occlusion and surgical correction of permanent deformities.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.