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Erythema multiforme
Osmosis
Related terms:
acantholysis
bulla
dermatitis herpetiformis
epidermolysis bullosa
erythema nodosum
pemphigoid gestationis
hydroa vacciniforme
bullous pemphigoid
pemphigus
Disease or Syndrome
erythema multiforme
Subclass of:
Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous; Erythema
Definitions related to erythema multiforme:
  • A hypersensitivity reaction characterized by the sudden appearance of symmetrical cutaneous and mucocutaneous macular or papular lesions which evolve into lesions with bright red borders (target lesions). The lesions usually appear in the hands, feet, extremities, and face. Symptoms include fever, malaise, sore throat, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, arthralgia, and myalgia. Causes include infections (most commonly herpes simplex virus), drugs (e.g., sulfonamides, anticonvulsants, and antibiotics), malignancies, and collagen vascular disorders.
    NCI Thesaurus
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • A skin and mucous membrane disease characterized by an eruption of macules, papules, nodules, vesicles, and/or bullae with characteristic "bull's-eye" lesions usually occurring on the dorsal aspect of the hands and forearms.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
  • Skin and mucous membrane disease characterized by an eruption of macules, papules, nodules, vesicles, and/or bullae with characteristic bull's-eye lesions usually occurring on the dorsal aspect of the hands and forearms.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
  • A disorder characterized by target lesions (a pink-red ring around a pale center).
    Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events
    U.S. National Institutes of Health, 2021
  • Erythema multiforme is an inflammatory reaction, characterized by target or iris skin lesions. Oral mucosa may be involved. Diagnosis is clinical. Lesions spontaneously resolve but frequently recur. Erythema multiforme usually occurs as a reaction to an infectious agent such as herpes simplex virus or mycoplasma but may be a reaction to...
    Merck Manuals
    Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
  • Erythema multiforme (EM) is an acute, self-limited, and sometimes recurring skin condition that is considered to be a type IV hypersensitivity reaction associated with certain infections, medications, and other various triggers. Erythema multiforme may be present within a wide spectrum of severity.
    Medscape
    WebMD, 2019
  • Erythema multiforme (EM) refers to a group of hypersensitivity disorders characterized by symmetric red, patchy lesions, primarily on the arms and legs. The cause is unknown, but EM frequently occurs in association with herpes simplex virus, suggesting an immunologic process initiated by the virus. In half of the cases, the triggering...
    NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases
    National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
  • Erythema multiforme (EM) is typically an acute, self-limited but often relapsing, mucocutaneous inflammatory condition. It is a hypersensitivity reaction associated with certain infections, vaccinations, and, less commonly, medications. The disease is characterized clinically by target lesions, which can be described as annular...
    Epocrates
    Athenahealth, Inc., 2019
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.

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