How do you treat Stevens-Johnson syndrome?

Stevens-Johnson syndrome appears to be immunologically mediated and responds to systemic corticosteroids. Patients with severe symptoms, especially involvement of the oral mucosa, which interferes with eating and fluid intake, may be treated with a short trial of systemic corticosteroids. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is usually a self-limited disease with a 3-week course, and milder cases may not require systemic corticosteroids. Some authorities consider the use of systemic corticosteroids in this condition as controversial, because there are no good prospective, controlled studies evaluating this treatment. Therefore, an empirical 3- to 4-day trial of high-dose systemic steroids should be considered. If there is no clinical improvement at that time, the treatment should be discontinued.