SJS Awareness Day Date in the current year: August 18, 2025

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is characterized by skin blisters and peeling that can develop in response to certain medications, such as allopurinol, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, nevirapine, and sulfonamides, or infections, such as cytomegalovirus or Mycoplasma pneumoniae. In patients with a bacterial infection, it can be difficult to determine whether SJS was caused by the infection or the medications used to treat it. Sometimes the syndrome develops without a known cause.

A more severe form of the condition is toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), also known as Lyell’s syndrome. An intermediate form is SJS/TEN overlap syndrome. Diagnosis is usually based on the percentage of skin affected: less than 10% for SJS, 10–30% for SJS/TEN overlap, and more than 30% for TEN. SJS and TEN are extremely rare, affecting one to six people per million each year. SJS has a mortality rate of around 5%, whereas the mortality rate for TEN is 30% to 40%.

SJS typically begins with flu-like symptoms, including fever, fatigue, sore throat, cough, and burning eyes. Because of these symptoms, the condition is often misdiagnosed in the early stages. A few days later, the skin begins to blister and peel, causing pain. Mucous membranes are also affected; lesions almost always appear in the mouth and on the lips and sometimes in the genital and anal regions as well. SJS is considered a medical emergency because it can lead to sepsis and multiple organ failure if left untreated.

The key to successfully treating SJS is identifying and removing the cause, which can be done by discontinuing the offending drug or treating the underlying infection. Patients with SJS are treated similarly to patients with thermal burns in burn or intensive care units. Currently, there are no medications approved for treating SJS. Therefore, any further care is symptomatic or supportive, such as antihistamines, pain medication, IV fluids for dehydration, and nasogastric or intravenous feeding for patients who cannot eat due to moth ulcers. Patients also require a consultation with an ophthalmologist to prevent ocular complications. It usually takes two to three weeks for the affected skin to regrow, but complete recovery can take months.

SJS Awareness Day was created to raise global awareness of the syndrome, honor those who have lost their lives to SJS/TEN, and support survivors, their families, and caregivers. The day also aims to highlight the importance of timely diagnosis, educate healthcare professionals and the general public about prevention and early signs, and advocate for safer drug practices, informed healthcare decisions, and improved treatment protocols.

There are many ways to get involved with SJS Awareness Day. You can learn more about the syndrome and share what you’ve learned with others; join an in-person or virtual event organized by SJS advocacy groups around the world; donate to an organization that supports SJS/TEN survivors or funds research; wear a blue awareness ribbon to start conversations; and spread the word on social media using the hashtag #SJSAwarenessDay.