- CDC News
- Adult Immunization
- Hepatology
- Rare Disorders
- Pediatric Immunization
- Weight Management
- Screening
- Psychiatry
- Allergy
- Women's Health
- Cardiology
- Pediatrics
- Kidney Disease
- Dermatology
- Endocrinology
- Pain Management
- Gastroenterology
- Geriatrics
- Infectious Disease
- Orthopedics
- Obesity Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Technology
- Oncology
- Nephrology
- Neurology
- Pulmonology
Erythema Multiforme in a Middle-Aged Woman
A 55-year-old woman had a 10-day historyof a nonproductive cough and apainful rash on both palms for 5 days.The eruption subsequently spreadover her entire body.
A 55-year-old woman had a 10-day historyof a nonproductive cough and apainful rash on both palms for 5 days.The eruption subsequently spreadover her entire body.Erythema multiforme--a reactivedermatosis exacerbated by a varietyof stimuli--was diagnosed. Thehive-like rash is more tender thanpruritic and features bull's-eye lesions.The 2 classic infectious causes areherpes simplex virus and Mycoplasmapneumoniae. Further evaluation ofthe patient confirmed the mycoplasmalsource; the infection responded toappropriate antibiotic therapy.The skin eruption improved dramaticallyafter a few days of systemiccorticosteroid therapy. (Case and photograph courtesy of Dr David L. Kaplan.)
