Horrifying photos reveal the true dangers of ibuprofen after mum's skin ‘fell off' leaving her fighting for life
TERRIFYING ORDEAL Horrifying photos reveal the true dangers of ibuprofen after mum's skin 'fell off' leaving her fighting for life
AFTER giving birth to her third child, Jaxon, via C-section, Aleshia Rogers was taking ibuprofen twice a day to dull the pain.
But within three weeks of giving birth, her skin slowly started to fall off, and days later, doctors gave the mum-of-three a five per cent chance of survival.
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15
Aleshia Rogers had a severe reaction to ibuprofen which made her skin 'fall off' in 2020
Credit: Kennedy News
15
The mum was told to take ibuprofen after the birth of her baby boy, Jaxon
Credit: Kennedy News
15
Aleshia developed a rash - one of the first signs she was having a rare reaction to ibuprofen
Credit: Kennedy News
15
Mum Aleshia pictured in hospital, when she was given a five per cent chance of survival
Credit: Kennedy News
The mum-of-three welcomed her son into the world in August 2020.
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But the 27-year-old began developing flu-like symptoms, including a high fever, swollen face and rash on her chest.
She also had a burning sensation when she swallowed.
Despite going to the hospital twice for medical advice, Aleshia was told she had pink eye (conjunctivitis) or scarlet fever and to continue taking ibuprofen to ease her pain and reduce the swelling.
But just hours later, her face was engulfed in painful blisters and peeling skin, leaving the mum unrecognisable to loved ones.
Harrowing pictures showed Aleshia lying in a hospital bed, her skin completely covered in bleeding sores after what doctors believed was an extreme reaction to painkillers, Ibuprofen.
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Aleshia, who lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, tells Sun Health. 'My eyes started swelling.
'They were bloodshot and burning, and I got a small rash on my chest, so I went to A&E and they told me I had pink eye and sent me home.
'The next day, my whole face was swollen, and both eyes were swollen shut.
'I went back to A&E and they told me I had scarlet fever and to go home.'
What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome
Hours later, her symptoms had progressed so drastically that her entire face and chest were covered in blisters.
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She returned to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) - a rare and serious disorder where the immune system sparks widespread inflammation in response to medication.
She was later told she had Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis - a severe form of SJS - that was likely triggered by taking ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen was my go-to med. It's very upsetting and confusing. Once it starts, there's nothing you can do to stop it.
Aleshia Rogers
Aleshia, a child and education technician, says: 'The doctors said the skin had died and detached.
'They called it sloughing. It fell off in sheets.
'The doctors said 90 to 95 per cent of the skin came off my body.
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'Since your skin is your biggest organ, this caused me to get sepsis and multi-organ failure.'
'It was touch and go'
She was transferred to an intensive care unit for burns and placed in a coma for three weeks.
Aleshia underwent a full-body skin excision (removal) and grafting, as well as an amniotic membrane transplant on her eyes.
During this time, Aleshia's heartbroken family were told she had a five to 10 per cent chance of survival.
Miraculously, she was discharged after a month.
Advertisement
15
Aleshia's back when her worrying rash started to develop
Credit: Kennedy News
15
Aleshia was told she had pink eye (conjunctivitis) or scarlet fever - and was even told to continue taking the pills
Credit: Kennedy News
15
Her condition rapidly progressed until 90 to 95 per cent of her skin fell off her body
Credit: Kennedy News
15
Aleisha's black legs, which may be because she had sepsis. This can prevent proper blood flow
Credit: Kennedy News
15
The 27-year-old was later diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Credit: Kennedy News
Advertisement
15
'My family told me it really was touch or go as to whether I'd make it through,' says Aleisha
Credit: Kennedy News
'I had absolutely no idea what had happened to me,' Aleshia says.
'I forgot that I had given birth. I lost a lot of memories.
'My family told me it really was touch-and-go as to whether I'd make it through.
'I've been told so many times that I'm a 'miracle'.
Advertisement
'It's always a thought, but I live my life like tomorrow isn't promised and try not to live in fear.
'I don't want people to be afraid of medicines, but I want people to be aware and mindful of what can happen.'
What is Stevens-Johnson syndrome?
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare but serious skin reaction, usually caused by taking certain medicines - often epilepsy drugs, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory painkillers.
It is named after the two doctors who described it in the early 20th century.
It can be life-threatening so it requires immediate hospital treatment.
Symptoms usually start with flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, sore throat, cough and joint pain.
A rash usually then appears a few days later - spreading from the upper body to the face, arms, legs and genitals.
You can also get blisters and sores on your lips, inside your mouth and on your eyes.
Hospital treatment usually involves fluids to prevent dehydration, creams and dressings to moisturise the skin, strong painkillers to ease discomfort and medicines to control inflammation and prevent infection.
It can take several weeks or months to fully recover.
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) is diagnosed when more than 30 per cent of the skin surface is affected and the moist linings of the body (mucous membranes) have extensive damage.
SJS and TEN are rare. There is thought to be about one TEN case per one million patients - about 60 every year, according to the University of Liverpool.
SJS is more common, with an incidence rate of about one in 10,000.
Source: NHS
Five years on, Aleshia is still recovering from long-term complications associated with SJS but is determined to raise awareness of this life-altering disorder.
She says: 'We believe it was all triggered by taking ibuprofen.
'I took it twice a day for the C-section recovery pain, then continued taking it to ease my pain and swelling [when I developed flu-like symptoms].
Advertisement
'Ibuprofen was my go-to med. I'd basically taken it my whole life since I was 14 to help with period pains.
'They don't know why I had this reaction to it. Doctors don't really have an explanation for it.
'They just said my body decided it didn't like it one day. It's very upsetting and confusing.
'There's no prevention, and once it starts, there's nothing you can do to stop it.
'And there's definitely a chance I can get it again at any time.'
Advertisement
15
Aleisha was treated for sepsis and multi organ failure
Credit: Kennedy News
15
Aleisha's whole body blistered before her skin peeled off. She is pictured as her wounds heal
Credit: Kennedy News
15
The mum's skin was left discoloured following the ordeal
Credit: Kennedy News
15
Aleisha even had blisters in her mouth
Credit: Kennedy News
15
Five years on, Aleshia is still recovering from long-term complications associated with SJS
Credit: Kennedy News
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Horrifying photos reveal the true dangers of ibuprofen after mum's skin ‘fell off' leaving her fighting for life
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Advertisement 15 Aleshia Rogers had a severe reaction to ibuprofen which made her skin 'fall off' in 2020 Credit: Kennedy News 15 The mum was told to take ibuprofen after the birth of her baby boy, Jaxon Credit: Kennedy News 15 Aleshia developed a rash - one of the first signs she was having a rare reaction to ibuprofen Credit: Kennedy News 15 Mum Aleshia pictured in hospital, when she was given a five per cent chance of survival Credit: Kennedy News The mum-of-three welcomed her son into the world in August 2020. Advertisement But the 27-year-old began developing flu-like symptoms, including a high fever, swollen face and rash on her chest. She also had a burning sensation when she swallowed. Despite going to the hospital twice for medical advice, Aleshia was told she had pink eye (conjunctivitis) or scarlet fever and to continue taking ibuprofen to ease her pain and reduce the swelling. 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