Question 25.1
a) What is this skin rash?
b) Give three causes
c) Apart from the skin, what other tissues are involved?
College Answer
a) What is this skin rash?
• Erythema multiforme
b) Give three causes
• Herpes simplex infection
• Mycoplasma pneumonia
• Streptococcal infections
• Drugs
• SLE
• Leukaemia
c) Apart from the skin, what other tissues are involved?
• Mucous membranes, especially oral mucosa
Discussion
That is a nice shot of erythema multiforme from Wikipedia.
How does one recognise it? Apparently, the lesions are typical. This is a disease of the skin and mucous membranes.
Approximately 50% of cases are associated with herpes simplex.
The rest of the causes can be classified as either infectious or drug-related:
Infectious causes:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Fungal infections eg. candida
Drugs which cause erythema multiforme:
- Phenytoin
- Barbiturates
- NSAIDs
- Penicillins
- Phenothiazines
- Sulfonamides
References
Clark Huff, J., William L. Weston, and Marciih G. Tonnesen. "Erythema multiforme: a critical review of characteristics, diagnostic criteria, and causes."Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 8.6 (1983): 763-775.
Leaute-Labreze, C., et al. "Diagnosis, classification, and management of erythema multiforme and Stevens–Johnson syndrome." Archives of disease in childhood 83.4 (2000): 347-352.