Abstract
Erythema multiforme (EM) is an acute, immune-mediated dermatological condition affecting the skin and mucous membranes. It develops as a type IV hypersensitivity reaction to infections, medications, or other stimuli. The clinical presentation with target lesions and/or mucosal erosions with a history of exposure to a known trigger is usually sufficient for the diagnosis. Albeit self-limited in most cases, severe or recurrent forms of EM require systemic therapy.
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Abbreviations
- CMV:
-
Cytomegalovirus
- DIF:
-
Immunofluorescence
- DNA (pol):
-
DNA polymerase
- EBV:
-
Epstein-Barr virus
- EM:
-
Erythema multiforme
- GVHD:
-
Graft-versus-host disease
- HSV:
-
Human herpesvirus
- IBD:
-
Inflammatory bowel disease
- IFN-γ:
-
Interferon-γ
- PMLE:
-
Polymorphous light eruption
- SJS:
-
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- SLE:
-
Systemic lupus erythematosus
- TEN:
-
Toxic epidermal necrolysis
- VZV:
-
Varicella-zoster virus
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Further Reading
Auquier-Dunant A, Mockenhaupt M, Naldi L, et al. Correlations between clinical patterns and causes of erythema multiforme majus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis: results of an international prospective study. Arch Dermatol. 2002;138(8):1019–24.
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Semkova, K., Kazandjieva, J. (2015). Erythema Multiforme. In: Katsambas, A.D., Lotti, T.M., Dessinioti, C., D’Erme, A.M. (eds) European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-45139-7_26
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-45139-7_26
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