In people suffering from erythema multiforme with coexisting HSV infection, treatment with oral acyclovir at an early stage may reduce the number as well as duration of lesions. In severe cases of erythema multiforme, intra-venous antibiotics or steroids may be administered at the hospital to ease symptoms. Sore or itchy rash can be treated using antihistamines, acetaminophen, or topical creams. Using a cold compress on the rash can be helpful. If the cause of the symptoms is a medicine, doctors usually replace the medication with another appropriate one. In most cases, treating the root cause such as a bacterial or viral infection with an antibiotic or antiviral is necessary. Assessing the association of COVID-19 and Immunoglobulin A vasculitis in childrenĮrythema multiforme in its mild form does not require any treatment.Large study of COVID vaccine side effects in Sweden.In kids, sometimes, erythema multiforme is seen as a reaction to certain vaccinations such as the hepatitis B and tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccines.
In some studies, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and many viral or fungal agents also appear to play a role in causing erythema multiforme. penicillin) seem to trigger erythema multiforme. barbiturates), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. In several other cases, medications such as seizure drugs (e.g. It is also proposed to be a reaction to an illness or infection, which causes damage to the skin cells. The exact cause of erythema multiforme is still unknown, but the condition is thought to be associated with herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in many cases. The rash caused by erythema multiforme cannot spread from one person to another as it is not contagious. Although the rash is mainly the only symptom, some kids may feel tired, develop mouth sores, run a mild fever, and experience mild joint and muscle aches. Kids affected by this condition may have itchy rashes that cause a burning sensation. Other symptoms may include itchy or red eyes, eye pain, and abnormalities in vision. In severe cases called erythema multiforme major, rashes can be found on the inside of the mouth and lips as well. The rash begins to appear in the hands, legs, and feet, but may spread to the face, neck, and other parts of the body. The lesions are target shaped, concentric circles on the skin that sometimes have scabs or blisters in the center. People affected by erythema multiforme present with symmetric red, patchy lesions mainly on their arms and legs. Erythema multiforme is a very rare condition affecting males more than females. The other two more severe disorders are Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Erythema multiforme is part of a group of 3 related skin disorders and it is the mildest of the three. Damien Jonas Wilson, MDĮrythema multiforme is a hypersensitivity disorder that mostly affects children and young adults, though it can affect people of any age.