Erythema multiforme |
Erythema multiforme minor of the hands (note the blanching centers of the lesion)
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Classification and external resources |
Specialty |
Dermatology |
ICD-10 |
L51 |
ICD-9-CM |
695.1 |
DiseasesDB |
4450 |
MedlinePlus |
000851 |
eMedicine |
derm/137 |
MeSH |
D004892 |
[edit on Wikidata]
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Erythema multiforme is a skin condition of unknown cause; it is a type of erythema possibly mediated by deposition of immune complexes (mostly IgM-bound complexes) in the superficial microvasculature of the skin and oral mucous membrane that usually follows an infection or drug exposure. It is an uncommon disorder, with peak incidence in the second and third decades of life. The disorder has various forms or presentations, which its name reflects (multiforme, "multiform", from multi- + formis). Target lesions are a typical manifestation. Two types, one mild to moderate and one severe, are recognized (erythema multiforme minor and erythema multiforme major).
Contents
- 1 Signs and symptoms
- 2 Causes
- 3 Treatment
- 4 See also
- 5 References
Signs and symptoms
The condition varies from a mild, self-limited rash (E. multiforme minor)[1] to a severe, life-threatening form known as erythema multiforme major (or erythema multiforme majus) that also involves mucous membranes.[citation needed]
Consensus classification:[2]
- Erythema multiforme minor—typical targets or raised, edematous papules distributed acrally
- Erythema multiforme major—typical targets or raised, edematous papules distributed acrally with involvement of one or more mucous membranes; epidermal detachment involves less than 10% of total body surface area (TBSA)
- SJS/TEN—widespread blisters predominant on the trunk and face, presenting with erythematous or pruritic macules and one or more mucous membrane erosions; epidermal detachment is less than 10% TBSA for Stevens-Johnson syndrome and 30% or more for toxic epidermal necrolysis.
The mild form usually presents with mildly itchy (but itching can be very severe), pink-red blotches, symmetrically arranged and starting on the extremities. It often takes on the classical "target lesion" appearance,[3] with a pink-red ring around a pale center. Resolution within 7–10 days is the norm.
Individuals with persistent (chronic) erythema multiforme will often have a lesion form at an injury site, e.g. a minor scratch or abrasion, within a week. Irritation or even pressure from clothing will cause the erythema sore to continue to expand along its margins for weeks or months, long after the original sore at the center heals.[citation needed]
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Erythema multiforme reaction to an antibiotic
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"Erythema multiforme major" (Stevens–Johnson syndrome); which resembles "erythema multiforme"
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Erythema Multiforme target lesions on the leg
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Causes
See also: List of human leukocyte antigen alleles associated with cutaneous conditions
Many suspected aetiologic factors have been reported to cause EM.[4]
- Infections: Bacterial (including Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination, haemolytic Streptococci, legionellosis, leprosy, Neisseria meningitidis, Mycobacterium, Pneumococcus, Salmonella species, Staphylococcus species, Mycoplasma pneumoniae), Chlamydial.
- Fungal (Coccidioides immitis)
- Parasitic (Trichomonas species, Toxoplasma gondii),
- Viral (especially Herpes simplex)
- Drug reactions, most commonly to: antibiotics (including, sulphonamides, penicillin), anticonvulsants (phenytoin, barbiturates), aspirin, antituberculoids, and allopurinol and many others.
- Physical factors: radiotherapy, cold, sunlight
- Others: collagen diseases, vasculitides, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukaemia, multiple myeloma, myeloid metaplasia, polycythemia
EM minor is regarded as being triggered by HSV in almost all cases.[3] A herpetic aetiology also accounts for 55% of cases of EM major.[3] Among the other infections, Mycoplasma infection appears to be a common cause.
Herpes simplex virus suppression and even prophylaxis (with acyclovir) has been shown to prevent recurrent erythema multiforme eruption.[citation needed]
Treatment
Erythema multiforme is frequently self-limiting and requires no treatment. The appropriateness of glucocorticoid therapy can be uncertain, because it is difficult to determine if the course will be a resolving one.[5]
See also
- Erythema multiforme major
- Erythema multiforme minor
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis
- Stevens–Johnson syndrome
References
- ^ "erythema multiforme" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
- ^ Erythema Multiforme at eMedicine
- ^ a b c Lamoreux MR, Sternbach MR, Hsu WT (December 2006). "Erythema multiforme". Am Fam Physician 74 (11): 1883–8. PMID 17168345.
- ^ "Erythema Multiforme". Pubmed Health. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
- ^ Yeung AK, Goldman RD (November 2005). "Use of steroids for erythema multiforme in children". Can Fam Physician 51 (11): 1481–3. PMC 1479482. PMID 16353829.
Urticaria and erythema (L50–L54, 695, 708)
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Urticaria
(acute/chronic) |
Allergic urticaria |
- Urticarial allergic eruption
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Physical urticaria |
- Cold urticaria
- Primary cold contact urticaria
- Secondary cold contact urticaria
- Reflex cold urticaria
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- Heat urticaria
- Localized heat contact urticaria
- Solar urticaria
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- Dermatographic urticaria
- Vibratory angioedema
- Pressure urticaria
- Cholinergic urticaria
- Aquagenic urticaria
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Other urticaria |
- Acquired C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency
- Adrenergic urticaria
- Exercise urticaria
- Galvanic urticaria
- Schnitzler syndrome
- Urticaria-like follicular mucinosis
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Angioedema |
- Episodic angioedema with eosinophilia
- Hereditary angioedema
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Erythema |
Erythema multiforme/
drug eruption |
- Erythema multiforme minor
- Erythema multiforme major (Stevens–Johnson syndrome, Toxic epidermal necrolysis)
- panniculitis (Erythema nodosum)
- Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis
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Figurate erythema |
- Erythema annulare centrifugum
- Erythema marginatum
- Erythema migrans
- Erythema gyratum repens
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Other erythema |
- Necrolytic migratory erythema
- Erythema toxicum
- Erythroderma
- Palmar erythema
- Generalized erythema
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