What is Erythema Multiforme

Erythema multiforme is a reaction in skin, due to which red round shaped patches develop over the skin surface.  Erythema multiforme basically happens due to hyper sensitivity of the skin. The reaction can get triggered due to medication or infection, the person’s body thus responds in allergic response and the severity can vary among different persons. The severe kind is termed as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Due to which the skin, kidneys, eyes, lungs can be affected, under extremities death can also happen.

The condition is acute, inflammatory skin eruption. The rashes may resemble welts which can be purplish with blisters in center. The mucus membranes, mouth and eyes can also be affected. It is so named because of its multiple forms and variety in clinical presentation. It has been noted that people under 20 mostly suffer from this and the males are more subjected to the skin condition the compared to the females. About 1/3 cases may reoccur. The toxic epidermal necrolysis is observed in older individuals. Lesions develop abruptly and may cover body surfaces. The lesions may be oral and can affect the labial and buccal mucosa.

Some of the prominent signs are in form of fever, cough, headache, malaise, sore throat; lymphadenopathy etc. over the skin the eruption may be red, popular and vesicular. Some of them may be bullous lesions. The skin lesions can be treated by dermatologists while in case of the oral lesions the intervention of dentists is also suggested. It is quite natural to develop scars and synechiae formation in the effected patients, especially from the bullous lesions.

The treatment is started by the identification and cause of the factor. The minor ones as asymptomatic and the lesions may get eradicated in 2-4 weeks of time. In some cases prednisone are also recommended but should be used for topical application only.