Shocking photos show woman’s horrific reaction to ibuprofen that left her oozing yellow gunk from eyes & scales on skin
A WOMAN suffered a horrific reaction to ibuprofen after a single dose, breaking out in scales across her skin and oozing yellow gunk from her eyes.
The 45-year-old visited the emergency department with severely swollen face, red eyes oozing discharge, yellow-crusted lips and a rash covering her chest and limbs.
The woman, from Iraq, was diagnosed with Stevens–Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a severe and potentially life-threatening skin disorder associated with certain medications, including ibuprofen.
The rare condition is caused by the immune system over-reacting to a trigger like a mild infection or medication, leading to blistering and peeling of the skin and surfaces of the eyes, mouth and throat.
Sometimes called toxic epidermal necrolysis, it needs to be treated immediately in hospital.
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Doctors examining the woman observed that she had conjunctivitis and discharge leaking out of her eyes, blisters across her face and a yellowish gunk coating her swollen lips.
A rash resembling targets - with a purple or dark area of skin surrounded by a lighter area - also covered her arms and legs.
Though in "distress", the woman appeared fully conscious and tests to asses her heart health and breathing were "unremarkable".
Doctors also conducted a chest X-ray, blood tests and a skin biopsy - the latter confirmed their suspicions that she was suffering from SJS.
The 45-year-old was admitted in the hospital's intensive care unit, where she was put on an IV drip and given a seven day course of antibiotics and eye drops.
She also had a tube inserted down her throat to administer fluids and had the lesions around her mouth treated with mouthwashes and topical anaesthetics.
Yet the woman's rare case highlights the "potential peril" of a severe reaction like SJS caused by the "seemingly innocuous act of reaching for an over-the-counter pain reliever".
"SJS is more commonly linked to certain infections and other medications, such as antibiotics and anticonvulsants (epilepsy medicines), yet documented cases associated with ibuprofen use have been reported," doctors went on.
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The case "underscores the importance of vigilance, both on the part of healthcare providers and on the public, in recognising potential adverse reactions", they stated.
"Healthcare providers should exercise caution when prescribing ibuprofen, particularly in patients with a history of adverse drug reactions," doctors involved in the woman's care advised.