My Experience With Erythema Multiforme

As I mentioned in an article on Yahoo! Shine, I've been getting cold sores since I was a child. In fact, by the time I was a senior in high school, my condition had gotten so bad I needed to see a dermatologist. I was treated with three cortisone injections and Zovirax ointment. However, after I received my first cortisone shot, a bizarre red rash appeared on the back of my hands and forearms. The dermatologist said it was a skin disorder called erythema multiforme.

What is erythema multiforme?

Erythema multiforme or EM is a skin disorder caused by an allergic reaction. It looks like raised red bull's eyes on the skin. There are several variants of EM.

EM minor: These are the raised red swollen marks that appear on arms and legs. This was my experience with erythema multiforme.

EM major: Same as EM minor only with additional outbreaks on mucous membranes. This may be accompanied by such pre-breakout symptoms as cough, fever, and sore throat.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN): Rare and potentially deadly forms of EM with widespread blisters on the trunk, face, and mucous membranes. The rash can be reddish and itchy and may be accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, headache, and difficulty breathing.

What causes erythema multiforme?

Several things can trigger erythema multiforme: certain medications (like penicillin or corticosteroids), chemical exposure, and bacterias and viruses. According to a 2010 article on Medscape, researchers found the herpes simplex virus (which causes cold sores) is actually a major cause of erythema multiforme. It's difficult to say what caused my experience with erythema multiforme: the herpes simplex virus, the initial cortisone shot, or a combination of the two.

Is erythema multiforme painful?

My experience with erythema multiforme was not painful and that is the norm for EM minor. However, EM major and SJS/TEN can be painful depending on where the blisters are and what accompanying symptoms you have.

Is erythema multiforme contagious?

No it's not. But if your EM was caused by a bacterial or viral infection, that infection can be spread to others.

How do you treat erythema multiforme?

Mild cases of EM can be treated with aspirin, cold compresses, and oral treatments like gargling with saline solution or viscous lidocaine. The condition tends to clear up within two weeks. Mine cleared within a week with no extra treatments and I never had another experience with erythema multiforme. More serious cases of EM and SJS/TEN can be life-threatening and may require hospital treatment.

Sources:

Medscape Reference online, Erythema Multiforme, June 2010

Medscape Reference online, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, February 2010

Personal experience