Loyola Scientists Study Blindness in Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Three years ago, Brianna Thompson, then 9 years old, suffered a widespread rash and bloodshot eyes after she took 11/2 teaspoons of Tylenol.

To treat these ailments, she was given steroids, Benadryl and more Tylenol. But that caused her lips and tongue to blister, and her temperature hit 102 degrees.

After several hospital visits, Brianna, who lives with her family in Stickney, was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood and put in a chemical bath immediately. There she was diagnosed with toxic epidermal necrolysis, commonly known as TEN.

TEN is a potentially fatal allergic reaction to a common variety of medications; in Brianna's case, the culprit was acetaminophen, found in various over-the-counter medications like Tylenol. It can lead to skin and eye damage.  Click here to read more.