Which medication is applied to a specific skin surface or mucous membrane?
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Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a serious adverse reaction of the skin and mucous membranes. Signs and symptoms include blisters, rash and skin pain. Show
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a rare, serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. It's usually a reaction to medication that starts with flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful rash that spreads and blisters. Then the top layer of affected skin dies, sheds and begins to heal after several days. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a medical emergency that usually requires hospitalization. Treatment focuses on removing the cause, caring for wounds, controlling pain and minimizing complications as skin regrows. It can take weeks to months to recover. A more severe form of the condition is called toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). It involves more than 30% of the skin surface and extensive damage to the mucous membranes. If your condition was caused by a medication, you'll need to permanently avoid that drug and others like it. Products & Services
SymptomsOne to three days before a rash develops, you may show early signs of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, including:
As the condition develops, other signs and symptoms include:
When to see a doctorStevens-Johnson syndrome requires immediate medical attention. Seek emergency medical care if you experience signs and symptoms of this condition. Drug-induced reactions may occur during the use of a medication or up to two weeks after discontinuing it. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inboxSign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data.To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Medicine is any pharmaceutical product that is prepared in order to treat diseases. Furthermore, there are medicines which are formulated in such a way that they are administered directly to the body surface such as the skin, eyes, ears, or mucous membrane. These are referred to as topical medicines. Through the years, advances in drug development have made it possible to administer a specific dosage of a drug through the skin. This is called transdermal drug delivery. This type of drug delivery may be facilitated by semi-solids like creams, gels, lotions, and ointments or even by a patch that is medicated and placed on the affected area. Topical Medication Safety TipsThe following are safety tips that a patient needs to comply with while using topical medication: 1. Talk to a Medical ProfessionalConsult a qualified medical practitioner before using topical medicines. Many of these medications are over the counter and the chances of patients buying and using them without consultation are quite high. Through consultation, one will learn about the safety of the product and its possible side effects. 2. Only Apply to Affected AreasTopical medicine should only be applied to the affected areas. Extra precaution should be taken when applying to areas that rub together, for example the armpits or between the buttocks. Application should be done sparingly as these areas absorb more medication than other parts of the body. Eyes and the mucous membranes are very sensitive, hence unless indicated, must be avoided with these areas. 3. Clean & SanitizeThe affected area should be carefully cleaned with soap, and all traces of soap should be rinsed off and dried before application of any medicines. Hands should also be washed before and after application to avoid contamination or possible transmission of the infection. 4. Use as DirectedHow to Apply Topical MedicationWhen applying topical medication, always follow the directions as they are outlined on the medication's label. During application, take care to avoid coming into contact with the drug. Wearing gloves can help with this. Alternatively, some topical medications come in special, touch-free packaging that allows for the drug to be dispensed and applied without any contact. For example, the Snapplicator™ is a portable, unit-dose package that is easy to open and compatible with liquids, creams, gels, and ointments: 5. Never Apply to Broken or Irritated SkinUnless indicated, topical medicine should never be applied on broken or irritated skin. This is when the body tissues are exposed, and it will cause more harm than the actual healing. To reduce irritation during medication, the drug should not be rubbed in the skin, but applied gently. 6. Do Not Apply HeatUnless indicated, the patient should not apply heat to the skin after application of any topical medicine. This will result in absorption of more drug than is recommended, and also the possibility of getting burns since the skin is already weakened. 7. Avoid PLastic WrapsPlastic wraps should not be used to cover areas that the medicine is applied to, as this will lead to build up of heat. Bandages should also be avoided when using this form of medication. 8. Look for Signs of IrritationThe patient should watch for signs of prolonged skin irritation or blistering when using topical medications. Should this occur, the patient needs to immediately discontinue using the medication and consult a qualified medical practitioner. Topical Drug DisposalAs with any drug, follow any disposal directions outlined on the label. As a rule of thumb, discard any remaining or expired topical drug along with its packaging in a secure place where it will remain out of the reach of children and pets. Transdermal drug delivery systems have advantages in that they are less painful or pain free, self administered, generate less medical waste, and reduce unwanted side effects by avoiding the gastrointestinal tract and first pass metabolism. When drugs are applied to the skin or mucous membranes?Topical drug delivery is a route of administering drugs via the skin to provide topical therapeutic effects. As skin is one of the largest and most superficial organs in the human body, pharmacists utilise it to deliver various drugs. This system usually provides a local effect on certain positions of the body.
What medicine is applied to the surface of the body?Topical medicines
These are creams, lotions or ointments applied directly onto the skin.
What is the name for placing medication to the skin?Transdermal administration of drugs means placing a patch on the epidermis, or the outer layer of skin; the drug is then absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, without involving mucous membranes.
What type of medication is administered topically?Topical agents are used locally, where the medicine is applied on the area being treated. For example creams, ointment and lotions are applied topically on the skin. Eye drops are instilled directly into the eyes.
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