Symptoms & Signs
- Fever
- General ill feeling
- Itching of the skin
- Joint aches
- Multiple skin lesions:
- Start quickly and may return
- May spread
- May appear as a nodule, papule, or macule
- Central lesion surrounded by pale red rings, also called a “target”, “iris”, or “bulls-eye”
- May have vesicles and blisters of various sizes (bullae)
- Located on the upper body, legs, arms, palms, hands, or feet
- May involve the face or lips
- Usually symmetrical
Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:
- Bloodshot eyes
- Dry eyes
- Eye burning, itching, and discharge
- Eye pain
- Mouth sores
- Vision abnormalities
Diagnosis & Tests
The diagnosis is based mainly on the appearance of the skin lesion, especially if there is a history of risk factors or related diseases.
Tests may include:
- Nikolsky’s sign
- Skin lesion biopsy and microscopic examination of the tissue
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Erythema multiforme : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Erythema multiforme : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
-
Erythema multiforme : Treatment
Review Date : 2/3/2010
Reviewed By : A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (10/28/2008).
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