erythema multiforme

Erythema multiforme is a skin reaction that results in red, target-shaped patches on the skin.

 

Erythema multiforme is an hypersensitivity reaction commonly caused by an infection or a medication. The person's body responds to an organism or chemical with an exaggerated allergic response.

 

Erythema multiforme can be minor or more severe. The more severe form is also known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Severe reactions can involve the skin, lungs, kidneys, eyes, and other areas. Rarely, an exceptionally severe case may be fatal.

 

Signs and symptoms of erythema multiforme include the following:

 

Severe cases may cause skin peeling and serious eye inflammation, among other signs and symptoms.

 

Erythema multiforme is an exaggerated allergic reaction that may be triggered by the following: medications, such as some drugs used to treat diabetes, seizures, and tuberculosis, as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), some antibiotics, and barbituratesinfections with viruses, such as herpes simplex, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, chickenpox, or poliomyelitis infections with bacteria, such as tularemia, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, or certain types of pneumoniafungal infections, such as histoplasmosiscancer, such as leukemia, a type of blood cancerpregnancyradiation therapy

Prevention of erythema multiforme is only possible when the cause is known. If it is caused by a medication, the medication may need to be stopped. Medications used to treat herpes, such as acyclovir or valacyclovir, may prevent recurrence if the condition is caused by a herpes outbreak. Most cases are not preventable.

Erythema multiforme is usually diagnosed by its appearance. In some cases, a skin biopsy may be needed. This involves taking a small piece of skin with a special tool. This piece can then be analyzed under a microscope to make the diagnosis.