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What is erythema multiforme?

What causes erythema multiforme?

What are the symptoms of erythema multiforme?

How can doctors tell if I have erythema multiforme?

How do doctors treat erythema multiforme?

Hypersensitivity and Inflammatory Skin Disorders

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

Jaundice is a condition in which the skin and white parts of the eyes appear yellow. It occurs when there is too much bilirubin, a yellow waste product, in the blood. Which of the following is NOT a common cause of jaundice?

Alcoholic liver disease
Bile duct blockage
Consumption of large amounts of foods high in beta-carotene, such as carrots
Hepatitis

Erythema Multiforme

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The Manual's Editorial Staff

Last full review/revision Jan 2021| Content last modified Jan 2021

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Erythema Multiforme (Target Lesion)

"Erythema" means red-colored. "Multiforme" means different forms.

Erythema multiforme is a skin disorder that causes patches of red, raised skin.

You get red patches that suddenly appear on your palms, soles, arms, legs, and face, and may later spread to the rest of your body
The patches sometimes look like targets
You may also get mouth sores
You usually get better within 2 to 4 weeks
Doctors may have you use medicine to stop the itching
If you get erythema multiforme a lot, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine for you

Erythema multiforme is usually caused by a reaction to:

Herpesvirus infection

Erythema multiforme less often is caused by other infections or certain medicine or vaccines.

Symptoms include:

Red bumps on your palms, soles, arms, legs, and face that grow into circles that may look like targets
Red patches that have pale rings inside the patch, and purple centers with small blisters ("target" lesions)
Usually, itchiness
Painful blisters or sores on your lips and lining of your mouth

Rash may go away on its own after several weeks but may keep coming back.

Doctors can tell you have erythema multiforme by looking at the rash. They may watch you carefully to make sure it isn't a more serious condition that can look similar.

Erythema multiforme gets better without treatment. If your symptoms bother you, doctors may treat you with:

Creams for itching
Numbing medicine for mouth blisters if they cause eating and drinking problems
Sometimes, antiviral medicine if you keep getting erythema multiforme, or if your doctors think your erythema multiforme is caused by herpes

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Drug Rashes

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Erythema Nodosum

Hypersensitivity and Inflammatory Skin Disorders

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)

Erythema Multiforme

Coccidioidomycosis

Introduction to Hypersensitivity and Inflammatory Skin Disorders

Jaundice is a condition in which the skin and white parts of the eyes appear yellow. It occurs when there is too much bilirubin, a yellow waste product, in the blood. Which of the following is NOT a common cause of jaundice?

Alcoholic liver disease
Bile duct blockage
Consumption of large amounts of foods high in beta-carotene, such as carrots
Hepatitis

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