Demystifying Erythema Multiforme

Abstract or Introduction

Erythema multiforme is one of the rare dermatological disorders, and it is believed to be an hypersensitivity reaction to certain medications and infections. Lamoreux, Sternbach and Teresa (2006) describe the disorder as an acute, self-limited, as well as a recurring dermatological condition. This description is reaffirmed by Sokumbi and Wetter (2012) who cite certain medications, infections and other factors as triggers for type IV hypersensitivity reactions leading to the development of the main clinical features of erythema multiforme. In principle, this disorder derives its name from the characteristic appearance of the rash; ‘erythema’ redness; ‘multi’-many; and ‘forme’-shape (NHS, 2014). Initially, Erythema multiforme was considered to belong to a clinical spectrum of disorder that comprised of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), erythema minor, and erythema major. However, advanced clinical descriptions of these conditions have been developed based on nature of the skin lesions, as well as the extent of epidermis detachment in which erythema multiforme and SJS are classified as different entities. Erythema multiforme spectrum comprises of erythema multiforme minor which is described as raised edematous papules exhibiting acral distribution, and erythema major which is characterized by acrally distributed edematous papules involving one or more mucous membranes (Bastuji-Garin et al., 1993). Overall, this paper provides a comprehensive overview on erythema multiforme.