By fypfeed | News | 13th August 2025
Pain Relief Turns Dangerous
Mom’s Skin Peeled Off After Severe Ibuprofen A Nebraska mother had to face the worst of her nightmare following what was supposed to have been an ordinary healing process following birth.
Aleshia Rogers 27, 27, was prescribed ibuprofen after the emergency C-section. The drug was used since she was a teenager to treat cramps during menstrual cycles and relied on it to relieve her cramps.
This time, the results were devastating. In the space of a few weeks her body was enraged which left her struggling to survive in a hospital.
From Recovery to Rash
After three weeks of recuperation, Rogers noticed her face becoming swollen. Then an itch of red appeared in her chest. The doctors initially denied her concerns and diagnosed her with common ailments like scarlet fever and pink eye.
She was told to continue taking Ibuprofen. Instead of getting better the symptoms, they got worse. The skin began to show signs of blisters as her eyes swelled and her body began to weaken.
Diagnosis: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
In an emergency hospital, doctors discovered her condition: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a rare and serious reaction to some drugs.
The illness can cause the eyes, skin and internal organs to become inflamed and breakdown. In the case of Aleshia, Ibuprofen was responsible for one of the most fatal reactions doctors have ever witnessed.
SJS rapidly progressed into the toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) which is the most severe type of the condition. At this point, nearly all of her skin began to peel off.
A Medically Induced Coma
Doctors put Rogers in a medically-induced condition known as a coma. Her body was closing down due to Sepsis, as well as multiple organs failing. Medical professionals informed her family she only had an five to 10 percent chance of surviving.
Family members endured weeks of anxiety and fear. In the span of three months, beloved ones were unable to even identify her. They observed as machines preserved her, but they were not sure whether she would ever see the eyes of her family again.
“My Skin Fell Off in Sheets”
As Aleshia finally woke and realized what she had experienced, it was shocking. Doctors informed her that 90 % to 85% of her body’s skin been sloughed off and left her body vulnerable to potentially dangerous infections.
“The doctors said the skin had died and detached,” she remembered. “It was ripped out in sheets. Because your skin is the largest organ of your body and the largest organ in your body, this led me to develop sepsis and the failure of multiple organs.”
Her recovery was a gruelling process that included complete skin removal as well as grafting and the amniotic membrane transfer to safeguard her vision.
The Emotional Toll
Beyond the physical injury beyond the physical, emotional damage was also grave.
Aleshia admitted she did not remember the birth of her child or the first days of her recuperation. She had lost precious memories of her life and her family.
“I did not realize that I had actually given birth. I went through so many painful images,” she shared. “My family told me it really was touch or go as to whether I’d make it through.”
The children of her, which included her baby were forced to watch their mother’s struggles from afar, uncertain whether they’d ever see her back.
A Life Changed Forever
Although she was able to return home after spending a month in hospital, her experience left lasting repercussions. She is still suffering from problems arising due to SJS and is afflicted knowing that it could happen at any time without warning.
“They don’t know why I had this reaction,” she said. “Doctors claimed that my body decided that it wasn’t happy with it after a while. It’s extremely confusing and upsetting.”
“There’s no cure when it’s started, and once it’s begun it’s impossible to prevent it from happening. There’s also an opportunity to have it happen again anytime.”
Warning for Others
Although Aleshia doesn’t want anyone to be scared of medicines Her story will help raise consciousness.
“Ibuprofen was my first choice for medication. I had been taking it since I was 14years old,” she told us. “I do not want people to be scared however I would like them to be cautious. Take note of dangers.”
Medical experts emphasize that even though SJS and TEN aren’t common but they can be life-threatening. Common medications like antibiotics, anticonvulsants, as well as anti-inflammatory medications may cause them.
Living With the Aftermath
In the present, Aleshia lives with scars–both visible and not. The food she eats is uncomfortable, and her eyes are fragile and her skin remains fragile. However, despite all this she is determined to remain optimistic.
“It’s always in the back of my mind, but I live like tomorrow isn’t promised,” she told me. “I try not to live in fear.”
Her survival, previously thought as almost impossible, is today described as nothing less than miraculous.
A Rare But Real Threat
The case highlights the unpredictability risks of prescription drugs. Ibuprofen is widely regarded as safe, may cause deadly immune reactions.
Doctors advise that any sudden swelling, rashes, or blisters that are not explained should be treated with care. The prompt medical attention can mean the difference between living or death.
Looking Forward
While she restructures her life with three children Aleshia continues to share her story. Her message is simple: Trust your intuition take note of your body, and don’t be apathetic about the reactions you may experience to medications.
Her experience is a reminder of how even the most well-known medications can cause unusual and damaging consequences.
