Erythema multiforme is a skin condition characterized by rashes throughout the body and is seen commonly among babies. It is a self-limited but acute skin condition that at times may reoccur. It is considered as a type of IV hypersensitivity reaction caused by varying factors like medication, virus, infection and various other triggers.

This skin condition can affect a baby at any time during their infancy and a minor form of erythema multiforme cause localized skin eruptions with nil or minimal mucosal involvement. These eruptions/lesions develop in 72 hours and remain localized for a minimum of 7 days and then start to heal.

Erythema multiforme major is a very serious skin condition that is life threatening if left untreated. Lesions begin mostly from the face or trunk and most of the victims have extensive mucosal involvement also, however the frequency of occurrence of this skin condition is rare.

How To Identify Erythema Multiforme

Usually the rashes of erythema multiforme starts as pink or red colored blotches and in few days these blotches develops to take round shapes. The round shaped blotches will have pink, red or pale rings around them and at times they may have scabs or blisters in the center. Normally rashes appear first on legs, hands, arms and feet, but they may also appear on body, neck, face and even lips and mouth.

The affected babies also experience pain, itching, mild muscular and joint pain, low grade fever and mouth sores. A pediatrician can easily recognize erythema multiforme by physical examination and a few questions about the baby’s previous vaccination, illness and medications. This is because erythema multiforme is caused mostly due to a reaction to a medication that leads the immune system of the body to damage its own skin cells.

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Herpes simplex virus that cause cold sores, bacteria like mycoplasma, fungi and certain other viruses can also trigger erythema multiforme in babies. Similarly certain medications such as seizure drugs, anesthesia drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibacterial drugs, penicillin etc can also trigger the occurrence of this skin condition. Since this skin condition is not contagious, it may not get passed from baby to others.

Treatment For Erythema Multiforme

Usually erythema multiforme subsides on its own and without any treatment. But in most of the cases doctors provide medications to cure the actual cause of rashes. If the baby gets erythema multiforme due to viral or bacterial infection, then the doctor may prescribes antiviral or antibacterial medications to get rid of the infection. If the rashes are due to certain medication then the doctor will advise to discontinue or may substitute the medication.

In order to ease the discomforts of the baby most of the doctors suggest to apply moist compress on the affected areas. Sometimes topical creams, antihistamines or acetaminophen are also prescribed to help the baby to relieve the soreness and itchiness of the blotches. All the treatment methods can only provide relief from discomforts, none of them can reduce the duration of the rashes. Normally rashes subside in one to two weeks’ time, but in certain cases it may extend up to four weeks.

If the baby is again exposed to the actual erythema multiforme trigger, the symptoms would recur. Hence take necessary precautions to avoid the reoccurrence of erythema multiforme.

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