Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis

Patients who survive SJS or TEN should avoid the use of the medication that initiated the illness. Ensure that information about drug allergy status (date of reaction; drug name [chemical and generic]; route of administration; time interval between first dose and event; and nature and severity of symptoms) is updated and included in hospital discharge letters and medical records. Patients should also be advised to wear a medical bracelet.

Patients should be alert to any mucosal erosions, ulcerations, or rash development, because SJS/TEN has been known to recur several times in the same individuals.

Because they may have a genetic predisposition, these patients should not self-medicate with antibiotics or over the counter drugs without their physician's approval.

Any new physician they visit for their health checkups or problems should be alerted to the fact that they survived either SJS or TEN.