Erythema multiforme is your body’s reaction to an illness, infection or medicine. This condition affects your skin and causes a painful, itchy rash that looks like a bulls-eye or a target.
Erythema multiforme is a skin reaction usually due to an infection or a medication. Erythema multiforme gets its name because it takes different forms on your skin, such as a rash, raised bumps or blisters. These lesions can come and go unexpectedly and can affect different parts of your body, including your eyes, mouth and genitals.
There are two types of erythema multiforme:
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Erythema multiforme is a rare condition that can affect anyone, but it’s most common among children, young adults and people under the age of 40.
Erythema multiforme usually causes a painful or uncomfortable rash on your skin. This rash can start small but can increase in size over time. It can be itchy and cause raised bumps on your skin. Severe forms of erythema multiforme can affect your mouth and eyes, with symptoms that make it difficult for you to eat, drink and see. Depending on the severity, you may need to be treated in the hospital. Treatment helps alleviate symptoms to get you feeling better.
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Symptoms that affect your skin could include:
Symptoms that affect your skin usually go away after two to four weeks.
Other symptoms include:
Depending on where a rash forms on your body, you could have additional symptoms like pain when urinating or pain when eating or drinking.
The most common places on your body where you’ll experience symptoms of erythema multiforme include:
The exact cause of erythema multiforme is unknown, but studies show that erythema multiforme can be triggered by:
A reaction to medication is a less common cause of erythema multiforme. Medications that trigger the condition vary for each person, but include:
No, erythema multiforme isn’t contagious. Your symptoms, especially the lesions, blisters or rash on your skin, can’t spread from person to person. If a virus or bacteria caused your symptoms, the virus or bacteria can spread to other people, but another person might not experience symptoms of erythema multiforme.
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Your provider will diagnose erythema multiforme after learning more about your symptoms and medical history, as well as doing a physical exam. Your provider will also diagnose erythema multiforme based on characteristics of your lesions that include:
Your provider may need to perform a skin biopsy to diagnose erythema multiforme.
Treatment for erythema multiforme isn’t always necessary, as symptoms can resolve on their own. If you need treatment, it could include:
Medications can help treat recurring symptoms of erythema multiforme, especially if symptoms arise after a herpes flare. Common medicines to treat erythema multiforme include:
Follow your provider’s treatment plan to reduce your symptoms. Try not to scratch your skin because your fingernails can scratch the lesions and break them open, which could cause an infection. To prevent itching, use a topical cream or ointment to soothe your skin.
While it may be painful to eat or drink, make sure you eat and drink regularly to prevent malnutrition or dehydration. Change your diet to include liquids and/or soft foods. Avoid foods that are hot in temperature, acidic or spicy to prevent irritation. If you have trouble eating, contact your provider.
You can’t prevent all cases of erythema multiforme, but you can reduce your risk of a flare by:
Talk to your healthcare provider about steps you can take to reduce your risk of an erythema multiforme flare.
Erythema multiforme can cause symptoms that make you uncomfortable, especially when lesions form on your skin and become itchy. Your provider will recommend treatment to alleviate or lessen your symptoms, and they should go away within a few weeks.
Work closely with your provider to understand what causes your flares. Be honest with your provider during an exam to help them learn more about your medical history to help you feel better.
Erythema multiforme normally clears up between two and four weeks. In some people, the condition is recurring, which means it can come and go over and over again. If you have frequent flare-ups, talk to your provider about ways to reduce the frequency of your flares.
Visit your healthcare provider if you experience symptoms of erythema multiforme that don’t clear up with treatment after four weeks or if you have frequent flares that affect your quality of life.
Visit the emergency room if your symptoms affect a large area of your skin, eyes, mouth or the area on or around your genitals. Or if you have systemic symptoms such as fevers, nausea or joint pain.
COVID-19 will rarely cause an erythema multiforme flare. Some people diagnosed with both COVID-19 and erythema multiforme have a skin reaction to the treatment for COVID-19 instead of a reaction to the virus itself.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Symptoms of erythema multiforme are usually mild but can range in severity for each person diagnosed with the condition. Your provider will work closely with you during your diagnosis to find out what’s causing your flares and to treat your skin when a flare does happen. In severe cases of erythema multiforme, you may need to be hospitalized. Talk to your provider about your symptoms, especially if they happen frequently and prevent you from participating in activities in your day-to-day life so they can help you feel better.
Last reviewed on 11/29/2022.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy