Boy loses two-thirds of skin after allergic reaction to ibuprofen

A boy who suffered an allergic reaction to ibuprofen has developed a rare condition that makes him shed his skin like a snake, The Sun reported.

Calvin Lock, 11, almost died after taking a small dose of the painkiller September 26 - which caused the extremely rare reaction.

His entire body burst into blisters before his hair and fingernails fell out leaving him looking like he had been burnt alive.

The bizarre condition is known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) which causes the cells in skin to die before shedding like a snake.

The severe reaction caused Calvin to lose 65 percent of his skin.

Calvin was so ill his parents were told he had little chance of survival after he was put on life support for three days.

But Calvin made a miraculous recovery after having to teach himself to walk again.

Calvin’s mom Robyn Moult, 38, and dad Daryn Chambers, 47, plan to launch their own charity to help raise awareness about SJS and warn the dangers of Ibuprofen.

“It looked like someone had poured petrol all over him and then set him alight,” Moult told the Sun. “It’s been a tough time for us all, especially Calvin. We just feel so lucky to have him here with us as we were warned to expect the worse when they put him on the life support machine...His vision has been affected as his eyes were so badly blistered, and he even had to teach himself how to walk again.”

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/10/31/boy-loses-two-thirds-skin-after-allergic-reaction-to-ibuprofen/#ixzz2AuSLOeA2

PAINKILLERS taken by millions of people in Britain every day can dramatically increase the risk of a condition which causes heart attacks and strokes.

Patients regularly taking ibuprofen to ease crippling ailments including arthritis can see their chances of an irregular heart rhythm soaring by as much as 40 per cent.

Ibuprofen is the most commonly used type of medication known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

A study of more than 30,000 patients found users were 40 per cent more likely to develop an irregular heart rhythm – atrial fibrillation or flutter – which can lead to a stroke, heart failure and death.

Of the nine million people in Britain who take ibuprofen each day – and at least 1.5 million who use a new class of pain reliever – more than 700,000 suffer with the condition.

Natasha Stewart, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: “This study suggests a link between common pain relief medicines and an increased risk of developing particular abnormal heart rhythms. However, it’s important to note that the overall risk from these drugs and abnormal heart rhythms is still small.”

She added: “Those most at risk were the elderly or people with other illnesses, such as chronickidney disease or rheumatoid arthritis.”

The 40 per cent risk for users of non-steroidal drugs (NSAID) is against 70 per cent for patientswho take the new class of pain reliever COX-2 inhibitors or coxibs.

She said: “Doctors are rightly already cautious about prescribing COX-2 inhibitors for people with heart and circulatory disease or at high risk of developing it.

“As with any drug, there are risks and benefits to be had. Talking these through with your GP will help ensure the benefits outweigh any risks.”

The statistics mean that seven cases per 1,000 patients on coxibs and four cases per 1,000 taking NSAIDs will develop atrial fibrillation within two months of using them. It is the latest research to highlight the dangers of the everyday painkillers.

Another widely used NSAID is diclofenac while coxibs include rofecoxib and celecoxib.

Widespread side effects include kidney damage, gastro-intestinal complications and heart damage.

Although they have already been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, no study has examined whether they increase the risk of atrial fibrillation. In May, experts revealed that taking high-dose NSAIDs for as little as a week can increase the risk of dying or recurrent heart attack by 45 per cent. The risk rose to 55 per cent if treatment was extended to three months.

And a study earlier this year found that heart patients using the painkillers every day for a year could triple their risk of suffering a stroke.