Medical Questions » Skin Questions » Question No. 887
Question:My husband has a skin problem which a dermatologist has diagnosed as erythema multiform. Could you explain what this condition is?
Answer:Erythema multiform is an acute inflammation (redness) of the skin, that may be triggered by drugs, bacterial or viral infections, cold sores and other herpes infections; or it may appear for no apparent reason. 75% of cases occur after a herpes or cold sore infection, and half the remainder are caused by drugs— particularly sulpha antibiotics. The attacks that are caused by cold sores and other infections tend to be mild, but those that occur as a result of drug sensitivity can be very severe. Patients with erythema multiform suddenly develop several types of rash simultaneously. This gives the disease its name, which can be loosely translated as ' red spots of many shapes' . Almost any imaginable skin problem can occur. The inside of the mouth and vagina, and the eyes may also be involved. The rash may occur anywhere on the body, but is most common on the front of the leg, over the shoulders, and above and below the elbow on the outside of the arm. The soles and palms are other areas that are commonly attacked. In most cases, the rash is evenly distributed on both sides of the body. Most patients have only a mild fever, but severely affected victims may be acutely ill with a very high fever and generalised weakness. There is no cure for this condition, but the vast majority of cases are mild, and settle in two to four weeks. Severe cases may persist for up to six weeks, and rarely, with lung involvement in the elderly or chronically ill, it may be very severe. Treatment is aimed at minimising the symptoms and discomfort with painkillers such as paracetamol and aspirin; and creams, lotions and dressings to ease the irritation of the rash. Steroids may be prescribed in severe cases. Recurrent attacks of erythema multiform are quite common.
       
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