Monday 19/January/2026 – 11:39 PM
An American mother recounted her painful suffering after suffering a rare and serious allergic reaction to a common drug, which led to her losing approximately 87% of her skin and becoming permanently blind, in one of the most severe medical conditions known as… Syndrome Stevens Johnson.
A shocking story with Stevens Johnson Syndrome
Emily McCallister, 30, from Chicago, in September 2022 began taking Lamotrigine, an anti-seizure drug, on a prescription, and just 16 days after starting treatment, she developed serious symptoms that began with severe dry eyes and facial swelling, before her condition quickly deteriorated.
The next day, Emily suffered from mental confusion and difficulty speaking, then a violent rash appeared on her face and spread to the rest of her body, which required her to be urgently transferred to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed her condition as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, and she was immediately admitted to intensive care.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare, life-threatening condition in which the immune system attacks healthy skin and mucous membranes, including the mouth, eyes and genitals. It often begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by a red or purple rash that develops into blisters and severe peeling of the skin.
In Emily’s case, the skin on her face began to peel and rot, leaving the flesh exposed and vulnerable to infection, while doctors made intense efforts to save as much healthy skin as possible.
Since her injury, Emily has lost most of her skin and has undergone six eye surgeries, along with stem cell transplants, salivary gland transplants, and three other surgeries, without attempts to restore her sight succeeding.
