Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are rare, severe skin reactions, most often triggered by medications, that cause widespread skin and mucous membrane damage. They’re considered part of the same disease spectrum, distinguished mainly by how much of the body’s surface area is affected, with TEN being the more extensive and severe form. Combined annual incidence is estimated at around 1 to 6 cases per million people.¹</p>

<h2>Symptoms</h2>
<p>The condition often begins with flu like symptoms, followed by a painful red or purplish rash that spreads and blisters, causing the top layer of skin to die and shed.</p>
<p>Mucous membranes, the mouth, eyes, and genitals, are frequently affected as well, and the condition is considered a medical emergency requiring immediate hospital care.²</p>

<h2>Causes</h2>
<p>SJS/TEN is most commonly triggered by an adverse reaction to a medication, though infections can also be a trigger in some cases. The immune system’s reaction to the trigger, classified as a type IV hypersensitivity reaction, causes widespread cell death in the skin’s outer layer.²</p>

<h2>Risk Factors</h2>
<ul>
<li>Certain medications, including some antibiotics, anti-seizure drugs, and NSAIDs</li>
<li>Certain genetic markers that increase sensitivity to specific drugs</li>
<li>Weakened immune system</li>
<li>Underlying malignancy, associated with notably higher mortality if SJS/TEN develops³</li>
<li>Race, higher incidence reported among Asian and Black populations in some studies⁴</li>
</ul>

<h2>Complications</h2>
<p>Because SJS/TEN affects the skin’s barrier function over a large surface area, it carries a high risk of infection, fluid loss, and organ complications, and is treated similarly to a severe burn. Mortality rates differ significantly by severity, ranging from around 5% for SJS up to 30% or more for TEN.¹</p>

<h2>Why Visual Communication Matters for SJS/TEN</h2>
<p>Because SJS/TEN progresses quickly and can look similar to other skin reactions early on, a clear visualization of how the condition spreads across the body, and why it’s classified by surface area involvement, helps clinical teams communicate the urgency and severity to patients and families.</p>

<h2>How We Support SJS/TEN Communication</h2>
<p>We help translate this mechanism into clear, accurate visuals across several formats:</p>
<ul>
<li>Illustrations showing disease progression and surface area classification</li>
<li>Illustrations for scientific publications and conference materials</li>
<li>Patient and family education content explaining diagnosis and care</li>
<li>Sales and training materials for clinical teams</li>
</ul>

<h2>Have a Project in Mind?</h2>
<p>Whether you’re explaining a disease mechanism, developing patient education materials, or presenting clinical research, we create visuals that make complex science easier to understand.</p>
<p>Contact us at <a href=”mailto:info@biotic-artlab.com”>info@biotic-artlab.com</a> or reach out through our contact page to discuss your next SJS/TEN communication project.</p>

<h2>References</h2>
<ol>
<li>Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. <em>StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf</em>, 2026. <a href=”https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459323/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Available here</a>.</li>
<li>Incidence of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, Korea. <em>PMC</em>. <a href=”https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5106005/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Available here</a>.</li>
<li>The role of malignancy in the mortality of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. <em>PMC</em>. <a href=”https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4128311/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Available here</a>.</li>
<li>Epidemiology of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in the United States. <em>JAAD International</em>, 2023. <a href=”https://www.jaadinternational.org/article/S2666-3287(23)00106-2/fulltext” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Available here</a>.</li>
</ol>