I have a friend who is suffering from erythema multiforme....any info about this skin allergy?

any info on how to prevent erythema multiforme

I have a friend who is suffering from erythema multiforme....any info about this skin allergy?
My friend's son had this when he was about 2 YOA. It can be very scary and very scary looking. He (my friend's son) literally woke one morning with circular patches that looked like bruises-all over his body.





She flipped out when she saw him-when he woke up. (It looked like he had been beaten severely) She then brought him over to my house and asked what to do. I told her if she didn't bring him to the ER asap-I was gonna call 911.





She brought him to the hospital and he wound up having Erythema multiforme.





This condition can be brought on by a number of different things. Infections can bring it on. So can allergies to different things.





What I imagine your friend's DR would do-is give your friend Benadryl to help with the itching and help the immune system calm down, oral steroids to help the immune system and to help swelling, and anitbiotics to prevent any infections associated with this.





The severity of this condition can vary largely. It can be mild and your friend can stay at home and take the medications for it and be fine. It can also be very, very serious requiring some people to go to burn units for treatment.





Hope this helps. God Bless you and your friend.





Here's what Medline has to say about this.....


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++...


Alternative names





Lyell's syndrome; Stevens-Johnson syndrome; Toxic epidermal necrolysis





Definition:





Erythema multiforme is a skin disorder resulting from an allergic reaction.





Causes, incidence, and risk factors:





Erythema multiforme is a type of hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction that occurs in response to medications, infections, or illness. Medications associated with erythema multiforme include sulfonamides, penicillins, barbiturates, and phenytoin. Associated infections include herpes simplex and mycoplasma infections.





The exact cause is unknown. The disorder is believed to involve damage to the blood vessels of the skin with subsequent damage to skin tissues. Approximately 90% of erythema multiforme cases are associated with herpes simplex or mycoplasma infections. The disorder occurs primarily in children and young adults.





Erythema multiforme may become noticeable with a classic skin lesion, with or without systemic (whole body) symptoms. In Stevens-Johnson syndrome, the systemic symptoms are severe and the lesions are extensive, involving multiple body areas, especially the mucous membranes. Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN syndrome, or Lyell's syndrome) involves multiple large blisters (bullae) that coalesce, followed by sloughing of all or most of the skin and mucous membranes.





Symptoms:





Multiple skin lesions:


With sudden onset, which may recur


That may spread


That may appear as nodule, papule, or macule


Central lesion surrounded by concentric rings of paleness and redness, also called "target", "iris", or "bull's eye"


May have vesicles and bullae (blisters of various sizes)


Located on the legs, arms, palms, hands, or feet


May involve the face or lips


Trunk is usually not involved


Usually symmetrical


Itching of the skin may be present


Fever


General ill feeling


Joint aches


Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:


Vision abnormalities


Dry eyes


Bloodshot eyes


Eye pain


Eye burning, itching and discharge


Mouth sores





Signs and tests:





The diagnosis is primarily based on the appearance of the skin lesion and its typical symmetrical distribution, especially if there is a history of risk factors or associated diseases.





There may be a positive Nikolsky's sign.





A skin lesion biopsy and microscopic examination may be helpful to differentiate erythema multiforme from other disorders. Erythema multiforme may show tissue death and other changes. Microscopic examination of the tissue may also show antibody deposits.





Treatment:





Treatment goals include control of the underlying causes or illnesses, treatment of the symptoms, and prevention of infection. Suspected medications should be discontinued.





Treatment of mild symptoms may include:





Moist compresses applied to skin lesions


Medications such as antihistamines to control itching


Over-the-counter medications (such as acetaminophen) to reduce fever and discomfort


Topical anesthetics (especially for mouth lesions) to ease discomfort that interferes with eating and drinking


Treatment of severe symptoms may include:





Hospitalization and treatment in an intensive care or burn care unit for severe cases, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis


Systemic corticosteroids to control inflammation


Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) to stop the process


Antibiotics to control secondary skin infections


Good hygiene and isolation from others may be required to prevent secondary infections.





Extensive skin involvement may cause the loss of large quantities of body fluids, causing shock in addition to the risk of infection. Intensive care with support of body systems may be required.





Skin grafting may be helpful in cases in which large areas of the body are affected.





In cases that are caused by the herpes virus, daily antiviral medications may be prescribed to prevent recurrences of erythema multiforme.





Expectations (prognosis):





Mild forms of erythema multiforme usually resolve without difficulty in 2 - 6 weeks, but they may recur. More severe forms may be difficult to treat. Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are associated with high death rates.





Complications:


Permanent skin damage and scarring


Occasionally, lesions on internal organs causing:


Pneumonitis (lung inflammation)


Myocarditis (heart inflammation)


Nephritis (kidney inflammation)


Hepatitis (liver inflammation)


Secondary skin infection (cellulitis)


Systemic infection, sepsis


Loss of body fluids, shock





Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms indicate erythema multiforme. Involvement of a large area of the body is an emergency situation.





http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/...