After taking antibiotics and paracetamol for earache, the blisters “foamed” and I remained looking like a monster

The traumatized woman claims to have been left “looking like a monster” after taking antibiotics and paracetamol for ear pain.

Rachel Carrie was suffering from an ear infection and was prescribed a drug-a drug she says she had taken many times before.

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Shortly after starting the drug course, the 38-year-old began to feel sick and the next morning her skin began to “foam.”

Rachel, who then lives in Dallas, Texas, returned home three times from the hospital, but her condition continued to deteriorate.

She was eventually admitted to the burn ward and spent 12 days being treated for Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

This condition is a rare and serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes that kills the top layers of the skin. This is usually caused by a response to medication.

The mother said the blisters were intolerable and she felt like she was being attacked by fire ants biting her whole body.

After that, blisters spread all over my face, distorting my lips and eyes.

When I looked in the mirror, I didn’t even recognize myself.I felt like a monster

Rachel Carrie

Teira’s mother, Rachel, 19, said she was traumatized when she saw herself in the mirror.

She states: “I got an ear infection and received emergency treatment.

“I was prescribed the antibiotic amoxicillin and the paracetamol Tylenol. I took them around 7 pm in the evening.

“Shortly afterwards, I began to feel itchy and noticed that the skin behind my neck was bubbling.

“I used to take these medicines, but for some reason my body refused them this time.”

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Rachel, who is involved in data management and analytics at the university, said:

“I finally stayed in the burn unit for 12 days.

“On the way, they did a biopsy of my skin, and that’s when they confirmed that it was Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

“It was very painful. I feel like I’m burning inside out. I felt like I was bitten by thousands of fire ants.

“It was traumatic and intense to see my face and skin look very different.

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“When I looked in the mirror, I didn’t even recognize myself. I felt like a monster.”

The first signs Rachel noticed were itching and discomfort, which eventually caused her skin to foam and her eyes to swell.

After her first trip to A & E in November 2019, Rachel managed to manage her condition, saying doctors needed to know more about her condition, and “four trips” to A & E to be taken seriously. I shouldn’t have done it. “

She states: “Education and awareness of this condition and a pharmacy label warning that SJS is a serious side effect are needed.

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“I shouldn’t have been to the hospital four times for them to recognize and acknowledge me.”

Rachel is currently in control of her condition, but she still suffers from mild skin discoloration. ]

She added that the experience was “terrible” and would be encouraged by family, friends, and faith to continue.

“I’ve had a lot of experience in my life, and I knew I could get over it.

“The doctors were surprised at how quickly I was healing.

“I thought it might look like that forever. I didn’t know how to get back to work, but I remained loyal.

“I still have some scars, but I know that one day I’ll be 100% healed, overcoming the worst.

“After experiencing this, I became very strong so that I could conquer anything.”

The BBC’s Diagnosis Detectives help men who have scraped off pigment because their skin condition is itchy