Erythema multiforme

Erythema multiforme is an acute, self-limited inflammatory disorder of skin and mucous membranes characterized by distinctive iris or target lesions, usually acrally distributed and often associated with sore throat, mucosal lesions, and malaise.

Bullous disease secondary to the ingestion of drugs can take one of several forms, including phototoxic eruptions, isolated bullae, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and erythema multiforme.

Causes of Erythema multiforme

Drugs can induce EM, in particular sulfonamides, phenytoin, barbiturates, penicillins, and carbamazepine, but they do not cause the majority of cases, especially in young adults.

Symptoms of Erythema multiforme

In erythema multiforme (EM), the primary lesions are pink-red macules and edematous papules, the centers of which may become vesicular. The lesions of EM usually resolve over 3 to 6 weeks but may be recurrent.

Diagnosis of Erythema multiforme

The clue to the diagnosis of EM, as opposed to a drug-induced morbilliform exanthem, is the development of a "dusky" violet color or petechiae in the center of the lesions. Target or iris lesions are also characteristic of EM and arise as a result of active centers and borders in combination with centrifugal spread. Fever, malaise, myalgias, sore throat, and cough may precede or accompany the eruption.

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Ehler's Danlos syndrome
Elastosis perforans serpiginosa
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Lipodystrophy
Lipoma
Mastocytoma
Neurofibroma
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum
Reactive perforating collagenosis
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Eosinophilic fasciitis
Erythema multiforme
Histiocytoses
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Lymphocytoma cutis
Lymphomatoid papulosis
Mastocytosis
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Sweet's disease
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Atypical mycobacterial infection
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Cutaneous tuberculosis
Leprosy
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Sarcoidosis

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