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</a><h1 class="with-also" itemprop="name">Erythema multiforme</h1>
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</noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>Erythema multiforme (EM) is an acute skin reaction that comes from an infection or another trigger. EM is a self-limiting disease. This means it usually resolves on its own without treatment. </p></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Causes</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>EM is a type of <a test="test" href="./000005.htm">allergic reaction</a>. In most cases, it occurs in response to an infection. In rare cases, it is caused by certain medicines or body-wide (systemic) illness.</p><p>Infections that may lead to EM include:</p><ul><li>Viruses, such as <a test="test" href="./000606.htm">herpes simplex</a> that cause cold sores and genital herpes (most common)</li><li>Bacteria, such as <em><a test="test" href="./000082.htm">Mycoplasma pneumoniae</a></em>that cause lung infection</li><li>Fungi, such as <em>Histoplasma capsulatum</em>, that cause <a test="test" href="./001082.htm">histoplasmosis</a></li></ul><p>Medicines that may cause EM include:</p><ul><li>NSAIDs</li><li>Allopurinol (treats gout)</li><li>Certain antibiotics, such as sulfonamides and aminopenicillins</li><li>Anti-seizure medicines</li></ul><p>Systemic illnesses that are associated with EM include:</p><ul><li>Inflammatory bowel disease, such as <a test="test" href="./000249.htm">Crohn disease</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./000435.htm">Systemic lupus erythematosus</a></li></ul><p>EM occurs mostly in adults 20 to 40 years old. People with EM may have family members who have had EM as well.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Symptoms</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>Symptoms of EM include:</p><ul><li>Low-grade <a test="test" href="./003090.htm">fever</a></li><li>Headache</li><li>Sore throat</li><li>Cough</li><li>Runny nose</li><li><a test="test" href="./003089.htm">General ill feeling</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003217.htm">Itchy</a> skin</li><li><a test="test" href="./003261.htm">Joint aches</a></li><li>Many <a test="test" href="./003220.htm">skin lesions</a> (sores or abnormal areas)  </li></ul><p>Skin sores may:</p><ul><li>Start quickly</li><li>Come back</li><li>Spread</li><li>Be raised or discolored</li><li>Look like hives</li><li>Have a central sore surrounded by pale red rings, also called a target, iris, or bulls-eye</li><li>Have liquid-filled bumps or blisters of various sizes</li><li>Be located on the upper body, legs, arms, palms, hands, or feet</li><li>Include the face or lips</li><li>Appear evenly on both sides of the body (symmetrical) </li></ul><p>Other symptoms may include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003031.htm">Bloodshot eyes</a></li><li>Dry eyes</li><li><a test="test" href="./003034.htm">Eye burning, itching, and discharge</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003032.htm">Eye pain</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003059.htm">Mouth sores</a></li><li>Vision problems </li></ul><p>There are two forms of EM:</p><ul><li>EM minor usually involves the skin and sometimes mouth sores.</li><li>EM major often starts with a fever and joint aches. Besides the skin sores and mouth sores, there may be sores in the eyes, genitals, lung airways, or gut. </li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Exams and Tests</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>Your health care provider will look at your skin to diagnose EM. You'll be asked about your medical history, such as recent infections or medicines you've taken.</p><p>Tests may include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003840.htm">Skin lesion biopsy</a></li><li>Examination of skin tissue under a microscope</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Treatment</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>EM usually goes away on its own with or without treatment.</p><p>Your provider will have you stop taking any medicines that may be causing the problem. But, don't stop taking medicines on your own without talking to your provider first.</p><p>Treatment may include:</p><ul><li>Medicines, such as antihistamines, to control itching</li><li>Moist compresses applied to the skin</li><li>Pain medicines to reduce fever and discomfort</li><li>Mouthwashes to ease discomfort of mouth sores that interferes with eating and drinking</li><li>Antibiotics for skin infections</li><li>Corticosteroids to control inflammation</li><li>Medicines for eye symptoms</li></ul><p>Good hygiene may help prevent <a test="test" href="./002300.htm">secondary infections</a> (infections that occur from treating the first infection).</p><p>Use of sunscreen, protective clothing, and avoiding excessive exposure to sun may prevent the recurrence of EM.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Outlook (Prognosis)</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p>Mild forms of EM usually get better in 2 to 6 weeks, but the problem may return.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Possible Complications</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>Complications of EM may include:</p><ul><li>Patchy skin color</li><li>Return of EM, especially with HSV infection</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>When to Contact a Medical Professional</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-7" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-7"><p>Contact your provider right away if you have symptoms of EM.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Alt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Alt"><p>EM; Erythema multiforme minor; Erythema multiforme major; Erythema multiforme minor - erythema multiforme von Hebra; Acute bullous disorder - erythema multiforme; Herpes simplex - erythema multiforme</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/1556t.jpg" alt="Erythema multiforme on the hands" title="Erythema multiforme on the hands" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/1556.htm">Erythema multiforme on the hands</a></li>
<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/1837t.jpg" alt="Erythema multiforme, circular lesions - hands" title="Erythema multiforme, circular lesions - hands" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/1837.htm">Erythema multiforme, circular lesions - hands</a></li>
<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/1856t.jpg" alt="Erythema multiforme, target lesions on the palm" title="Erythema multiforme, target lesions on the palm" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/1856.htm">Erythema multiforme, target lesions on the palm</a></li>
<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/2413t.jpg" alt="Erythema multiforme on the leg" title="Erythema multiforme on the leg" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/2413.htm">Erythema multiforme on the leg</a></li>
<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/2414t.jpg" alt="Erythema multiforme on the hand" title="Erythema multiforme on the hand" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/2414.htm">Erythema multiforme on the hand</a></li>
<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/2419t.jpg" alt="Exfoliation following erythroderma" title="Exfoliation following erythroderma" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/2419.htm">Exfoliation following erythroderma</a></li>
</ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>References</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Ref" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>Duvic M. Urticaria, drug hypersensitivity rashes, nodules and tumors, and atrophic diseases. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. <em>Goldman-Cecil Medicine</em>. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 411.</p><p>Holland KE. Acquired rashes in the older child. In: Kleigman RM, Toth H, Bordini BJ, Basel D, eds. <em>Nelson Pediatric Symptom-Based Diagnosis</em>. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 61.</p><p>Lalor L, Shah KN. Urticaria and erythema multiforme. In: Long SS, ed. <em>Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases</em>. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 71.</p><p>Rubenstein JB, Spektor T. Conjunctivitis: infectious and noninfectious. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. <em>Ophthalmology</em>. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 4.6.</p></div></div></section>
<section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 11/18/2022</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.</p>
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