Stevens Johnson Syndrome Survivor Works to Raise Awareness

Menasha, WIA woman who survived Stevens Johnson Syndrome two years ago is now working to get the word out about the deadly disease that nearly took her life.

Kendra Schmidt developed a rash two weeks after taking a new prescription drug. The rash quickly blistered and Schmidt was admitted to the hospital in critical condition, according to the Appleton Post Crescent.

Schmidt was eventually transferred to St. Mary's Hospital Burn Unit in Milwaukee, where doctors worked to save her life.

"I was sedated for a good two to two and a half months," she told the news source. "I didn't have any viable skin for a skin graft. They used pig skin. That enabled my skin to grow back. I have all of my skin. It grew back before I left the hospital. It was really, really thin. It was like that for a long time."

Schmidt also lost the vision in her left eye because of her bout with Stevens Johnson Syndrome, but that hasn't stopped her from spreading awareness about the dangers of the disorder.

"The way I can get the word out is to talk about it," she told the news provider. "Anyone can get it through any medication at any time, even basic medications that we take. Ibuprofen is one."

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a rare and serious disorder that causes a victim's skin to blister off because of a reaction to a medication or infection.