Toddler suffered horrific allergic reaction to a routine injection – causing her skin to blister and fall off
Isabel, now eight, has been left almost completely blind and had to learn to walk and talk again
LITTLE Isabel Olesen has been left almost completely blind and had to learn to walk and talk again after an allergic reaction “burned” her skin off.
The then 18-month-old from Melbourne, Australia broke out in painful sores all over her body 48 hours after a routine childhood vaccination.
Her mum, Edwina first noticed there was something wrong with her daughter when Isabel's skin became hot to touch.
She started complaining that she was thirsty but it was a hot summers day so Edwina thought it was down to the heat.
But the next morning she noticed red spots had begun to show on her skin.
Edwina rushed her to hospital where she was diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a life-threatening condition that causes the skin's layers to separate.
She said Isabel, now eight, had the worst case her doctors had ever seen and, after being sedated, her skin started to blister and swell.
Edwina, 39, said just touching Isabel’s skin would cause it to fall off, adding: “I'd never seen anything like it, Isabel's skin was red raw, when I moved her head the skin from her eyebrows and cheek would fall into my hands.
“The smell of burning flesh was stuck to my hands for weeks, it was so traumatising to see her so unwell.”
Edwina was told to prepare for the worst, with doctors warning Isabel might not make it.
But three months later she was allowed home by doctors.
The side effects of her condition have been life-changing.
Isabel has lost the majority of her sight, and needed to learn to walk, eat and talk all over again.
Edwina, a self-employed product designer, said: “I was terrified and my heart was racing so fast that I could have passed out on the way to the hospital.
“SJS is such an awful disease but I'd never heard of it until Isabel was diagnosed.
“It wasn't until I saw images online that I realised what we had ahead of us.
“I was heartbroken but we took every day as it came and after three months Isabel was allowed home.
“She was barely recognisable and needed to learn everything all over again.”
Despite it all, Isabel is now riding a bike, enjoying her second grade at school and has taken part in three triathlons.
Edwina added: “Her eyes were the main concern and after recovering she was registered as blind.
What is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a rare but serious disorder that affects the skin, mucous membrane, genitals and eyes.
The mucous membrane is the soft layer of tissue that lines the digestive system from the mouth to the anus, as well as the reproductive organs and eyeballs.
It is usually caused by an unpredictable adverse reaction to certain medications. It can also sometimes be caused by an infection.
The syndrome often begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by a red or purple rash that spreads and forms blisters. The affected skin eventually dies and peels off.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a medical emergency that requires treatment in hospital, often in intensive or a burns unit.
Symptoms:
- feeling generally unwell
- high temperature
- joint pain
- a cough
- a rash that looks like a target
- facial swelling
- crusty sores and blistering
Treatment:
Hospital treatment is required immediately.
Treatment while in hospital may include:
- strong painkillers
- cold compress against the skin
- moisturising affected skin
- fluid replacement
- antibiotics
- eye drops and ointment
“She needs regular eye drops every day and had a cornea transplant in one eye so she could at least see some colours and movement.
“She's a little miracle and we're so lucky she survived.”
Edwina is hoping Isabel’s story will help raise awareness of SJS.
She said: “Isabel suffered an extremely bad reaction but every survivor is left with life changing affects.
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“SJS breaks down the membranes around the eyes and causes them to become extremely dry.
“To see her running triathlons now is incredible, she always has someone with her so she knows where she's going and she can't wait to do even more in the future.”
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