Teddi Mellencamp is bringing awareness to Stevens-Johnson syndrome after experiencing an unexpected hospital visit.
“I thought I had the flu, and then I woke up one day and my whole body was just covered in, like, this terrible rash,” Mellencamp revealed on a March 2026 episode of iHeartRadio’s “Two Ts in a Pod” podcast. “Like, you can’t even say it’s a rash because it’s almost like sores all over my entire body.”
Luckily, Mellencamp’s doctors caught the skin condition in time and she was treated with “injectable steroids and antibiotics” during her hospital stay.
“The reason they were like, ‘You have to stay in [the hospital],’ is because they can start to get better and then shift right back up,” she revealed to podcast cohost Tamra Judge. “I was so happy [to get out].”
Keep reading to learn more about Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Mellencamp’s health scare:
What Is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?
According to the Mayo Clinic, Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a “rare, serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes.”
It’s usually a reaction to a medication that starts with flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful rash that spreads and blisters. The top layer of affected skin dies, sheds and begins to heal after several days.
In her podcast episode, Mellencamp said she went to Tarzana Hospital in Southern California and was told that she was “given a medication and I was allergic to it and it caused Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.”
What Are the Symptoms of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?One to three days before a rash develops, some patients may show early signs of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, including fever, a sore throat, fatigue and burning eyes.
As the condition develops, other signs and symptoms include unexplained widespread skin pain. Blisters on your skin and the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals can also appear.
Was Teddi Mellencamp Able to Recover?
After a few days in the hospital and being treated with injectable steroids and antibiotics, Teddi Mellencamp was able to be released and attend one of her children’s birthday parties.
“I was so concerned because the doctor hadn’t come in that day yet. I had already asked like a thousand times,” Mellencamp shared on her podcast. “I’m like, ‘Please, I need to leave by 11 a.m. on Sunday.’”
She was ultimately able to get released even though she wasn’t “feeling great.” At the same time, she was “happy” to be with family outside of the hospital.
How Is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Treated?The first and most important step in treating Stevens-Johnson syndrome is to stop taking any medications that may be causing it, the Mayo Clinic claims.
Supportive care includes fluid replacement and nutrition, wound care and pain medication.
Teddi Mellencamp has been open about her health struggles on her iHeartRadio podcast.
The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star was first diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma in 2022. In April 2025, Mellencamp shared the news that it had metastasized to her brain and lungs.
In October 2025, the reality star shared the good news that doctors found “no trace of cancer” in her scans. She’s still considered stage four and is being treated with ongoing immunotherapy.
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