DIAGNOSIS
Clinical diagnosis of erythema multiforme is based on the patient’s medical history and physical examination. It’s crucial to inquire about current disease symptoms and treatment usage. The majority of erythema multiforme instances do not need additional testing.
However, skin biopsies and laboratory testing will help rule out other skin conditions that show similar symptoms to erythema multiforme. Many disorders, like pityriasis rosea, urticaria, viral exanthema, fixed drug eruption, bullous pemphigoid, SJS, polymorphous light eruption, paraneoplastic pemphigus, and hypersensitivity responses, are included in the differential diagnosis.
TREATMENT
In order to treat erythema multiforme, your physician will aim to address the underlying causes of your condition. To do so, you may be asked to:
- stop taking medications that may have caused your symptoms
- use omollients and antihistamines to lessen your itching
- take antiviral tablets for the infection
- reduce inflammation and redness through the use of steroid cream
- use anesthetic mouthwash for your mouth sores
Additionally, the following treatment procedures may be done, depending on the severity of your erythema multiforme:
- cool compress
- IV fluids
- antibiotics
- hospitalization
- stronger painkillers
- eye drops (if the condition affects your eyes)
- soft or liquid diet
If complications arise, contact your physician at once.