ERYTHEMA MULTIFORME
Essentials of Diagnosis
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It is an acute inflammatory skin disease.
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It may follow outbreak of herpes simplex.
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It may present as recurring oral ulceration.
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There is sudden onset of symmatic erythematous skin
lesions with history of recurrence.
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Lesion may be macular, papular, urticarial or purpuric.
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Centre of lesion is clear with concentric
erythematous rings.
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In erythema multiforme major multiple
lacerations are present at two or more sites making eating food difficult.
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Skin biopsy is diagnostic.
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Tracheobronchial mucosa and conjunctiva may be involved.
Treatment
o
Corticosteroids are usually given although a few
patients don’t respond to it.
o
Oral acyclovir prophylaxis may be effective.
o
Antistreptophylococcal antibiotics are used in
secondary infection.
o
Tropical therapy is not effective.
