HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS CME ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Rapid Responses: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services E-mail this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My File Cabinet Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hurwitz, S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hurwitz, S.

Erythema Multiforme: A Review of Its Characteristics, Diagnostic Criteria, and Management

Erythema multiforme is a distinctive hypersensitivity syndrome characterized by skin and mucous membrane lesions and, in its more severe forms, mucosal lesions with constitutional symptoms and, at times, visceral involvement.^1,2 It is usually considered acute and self-limiting, but recent observations indicate that it may also behave as a chronic recurrent disorder in many people.^1,3,4 The disorder may occur at any age, with its highest incidence in young adults 20 to 40 years of age; as many as 20% of cases are seen in children and adolescents.²

PATHOGENESIS

The pathogenesis of erythema multiforme remains unknown. It appears to represent the end result of a hypersensitivity reaction to a number of infectious and other agents: viral, bacterial, protozoal, fungal, or Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Eaton agent) infection; foods or drugs; immunizations; and a variety of other systemic diseases and physical agents. Whereas drug reactions and malignancies are important causes of erythema multiforme in older persons, infectious diseases are the most common precipitants in children and young adults. The most common cause of erythema multiforme appears to be the virus of herpes simplex; a history of cold sores precedes the development of other lesions by about 3 to 14 days. Recurrences are particularly common in this form of erythema multiforme.^4,5

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. R. Segal, K. M. Doherty, J. Leggott, and B. Zlotoff Cutaneous Reactions to Drugs in Children Pediatrics, October 1, 2007; 120(4): e1082 - e1096. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C Leaute-Labreze, T Lamireau, D Chawki, J Maleville, and A Taieb Diagnosis, classification, and management of erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome Arch. Dis. Child., October 1, 2000; 83(4): 347 - 352. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. M. COHEN and I. BHATTACHARYYA CINNAMON-INDUCED ORAL ERYTHEMA MULTIFORMELIKE SENSITIVITY REACTION J Am Dent Assoc, July 1, 2000; 131(7): 929 - 934. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]