| ENCYCLOPEDIA INDEX |
|
Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test |
| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Erythema multiforme |
| Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention |
| Alternative Names: |
| Lyell's syndrome; Stevens-Johnson syndrome; Toxic epidermal necrolysis |
| 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:
Treatment of severe symptoms may include:
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 to 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: |
|
| Calling your health care provider: |
| 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. |
|