Erythema multiforme (EM) is an inflammatory reaction, characterized by target or iris skin lesions. Oral mucosa may be involved. Diagnosis is clinical. Lesions spontaneously resolve but frequently recur. Erythema multiforme can occur as reaction to a drug or an infectious agent such as herpes simplex virus or mycoplasma. Suppressive antiviral therapy may be indicated for patients with frequent or symptomatic recurrence due to herpes simplex virus.

For years, EM was thought to represent the milder end of a spectrum of drug hypersensitivity disorders that included Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Recent evidence suggests that EM is different from these other disorders.

Etiology

The majority of cases are caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection (HSV-1 more so than HSV-2), although it is unclear whether EM lesions represent a specific or nonspecific reaction to the virus. Current thinking holds that EM is caused by a T-cell–mediated cytolytic reaction to HSV DNA fragments present in keratinocytes. A genetic disposition is presumed given that EM is such a rare clinical manifestation of HSV infection, and several HLA subtypes have been linked with the predisposition to develop lesions. Less commonly, cases are caused by drugs, vaccines, other viral diseases (especially hepatitis C), or possibly SLE. EM that occurs in patients with SLE is sometimes referred to as Rowell's syndrome.

Symptoms and Signs

EM manifests as the sudden onset of asymptomatic, erythematous macules, papules, wheals, vesicles, bullae, or a combination on the distal extremities (including palms and soles) and face. The classic lesion is annular, with a violaceous center and pink halo separated by a pale ring (target or iris lesion). Distribution is symmetric and centripetal; spread to the trunk is common. Some patients have itching. Oral lesions include target lesions on the lips and vesicles and erosions on the palate and gingivae.

Skin Lesion (Target)

Diagnosis

• Clinical evaluation

Diagnosis is by clinical appearance; biopsy is rarely necessary. Differential diagnosis includes essential urticaria, vasculitis, bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus, linear IgA dermatosis, acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, and dermatitis herpetiformis; oral lesions must be distinguished from aphthous stomatitis, pemphigus, herpetic stomatitis, and hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Patients with widely disseminated purpuric macules and blisters and prominent involvement of the trunk and face are likely to have Stevens-Johnson syndrome rather than EM.

Treatment

• Supportive care
• Sometimes prophylactic antivirals

EM spontaneously resolves, so treatment is usually unnecessary. Topical corticosteroids and anesthetics may ameliorate symptoms and reassure patients. Recurrences are common, and empiric oral maintenance therapy with acyclovirSome Trade Names
ZOVIRAX
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400 mg po q 12 h, famciclovirSome Trade Names
FAMVIR
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250 mg po q 12 h, or valacyclovirSome Trade Names
VALTREX
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1000 mg po q 24 h can be attempted if symptoms recur more than 5 times/yr and HSV association is suspected or if recurrent EM is consistently preceded by herpes flares.

Last full review/revision October 2009 by Wingfield E. Rehmus, MD, MPH

Content last modified February 2012