A person with erythema multiforme may also experience the following symptoms :

• a cough and difficulty breathing that are signs of the infection causing the condition.
• a fever or body temperature of 38°C or higher.
• a general feeling of being unwell, sometimes before the rash appears.
• joint pain and swelling.

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What is a characteristic of erythema?

erythema, any abnormal redness of the skin. Erythema is caused by dilation and irritation of the superficial capillaries; the augmented flow of blood through them imparts a reddish hue to the skin. Erythema may arise from a great variety of causes and disease conditions.

What is the most common cause of erythema multiforme?

What causes erythema multiforme? Most often, this skin problem is caused by the herpes simplex virus. Other causes are: Fungal and bacterial infections, such as mycoplasma pneumoniae.

How do you describe erythema multiforme?

Erythema multiforme is a skin condition considered to be a hypersensitivity reaction to infections or drugs. It consists of a polymorphous eruption of macules, papules, and characteristic “target” lesions that are symmetrically distributed with a propensity for the distal extremities.

What disease causes erythema multiforme?

A major cause of erythema multiforme is the herpes virus (HSV). In fact, recent or recurrent herpes has been reported as the principle risk factor for erythema multiforme. Herpes-associated erythema multiforme (HAEM) appears to represent the result of a cell-mediated immune reaction associated with HSV antigen.

How do you identify erythema and what causes it?

Erythema is a type of skin rash caused by injured or inflamed blood capillaries. It usually occurs in response to a drug, disease or infection. Rash severity ranges from mild to life threatening.

How do you Recognise erythema?

The rash:

1. starts as small red spots, which may become raised patches a few centimetres in size.
2. often has patches that look like a target or “bulls-eye”, with a dark red centre that may have a blister or crust, surrounded by a pale pink ring and a darker outermost ring.
3. may be slightly itchy or uncomfortable.

Which drug is most likely to be causing erythema multiforme?

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the second most common etiology, especially in children. 6,9 Although medications cause less than 10% of erythema multiforme cases, many drugs have been associated with erythema multiforme, most commonly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antiepileptics, and antibiotics.

What causes a target lesion?

Causes. Such lesions may be idiopathic or may follow infections, drug therapy, or immunodeficiency.

What medications can cause erythema multiforme?

Certain medications can also cause someone to develop erythema multiforme:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• antibacterial medications.
• penicillin and penicillin-based antibiotics.
• seizure medications.
• anesthesia drugs.
• barbiturates.

What are the key clinical signs and symptoms that are characteristic of the disease erythema multiforme?

Signs & Symptoms Onset of erythema multiforme is usually sudden in an otherwise healthy individual. Red spots (macules or papules), or ridges (wheals), and sometimes blisters appear on the tops of the hands and forearms. Other areas of involvement may include the face, neck, palms, soles of feet, legs, and trunk.

How do you describe a rash?

If the lesion is flat, then it will be either a macule or patch. A macule is a flat lesion smaller than 1 cm and a patch is a flat lesion larger than 1 cm. Elevated lesions are either solid or fluid-filled. Solid lesions can be described as either a papule, plaque, nodule, or wheal.

What does EM rash look like?

Erythema multiforme (air-uh-THEE-muh mul-teh-FOR-mee) starts with pink or red blotches. They grow over a few days into round spots that look like targets with red, pink, and pale rings. Often, the rash starts on the arms, hands, legs, and feet, then appears on the face, neck, diaper area, and body.

Is erythema nodosum and autoimmune disorder?

Erythema nodosum is a localized inflammatory lesion that forms nodules within adipose tissue and is sometimes associated with autoimmune disease, although many cases are idiopathic.

What medications can cause Steven Johnson Syndrome?

The medicines that most commonly cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome are:

• allopurinol.
• carbamazepine.
• lamotrigine.
• nevirapine.
• the “oxicam” class of anti-inflammatory drugs (including meloxicam and piroxicam)
• phenobarbital.
• phenytoin.
• sulfamethocazole and other sulfa antibiotics.

What causes erythema migrans?

What Causes Erythema Migrans? Erythema Migrans is often the first sign of Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. The bacteria are transmitted to humans through infected deer ticks.