Definition

1. Noun:
   • A skin condition characterized by a red rash: Erythema multiforme is a medical term for a specific type of inflammatory skin reaction. It appears as red, often target-like lesions on the skin and is typically caused by an allergic or hypersensitivity response to certain medications, infections, or other allergens.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The patient was diagnosed with erythema multiforme following the administration of the new antibiotic.
  • Erythema multiforme is often a reaction to herpes simplex virus or certain drugs.

Advanced Usage

• "Erythema multiforme minor": A milder form of the condition, primarily affecting the skin with limited or no mucosal involvement.

  • The presentation was consistent with erythema multiforme minor.

• "Erythema multiforme major": A more severe form, also known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which involves significant mucous membrane lesions and systemic symptoms.

  • The drug reaction progressed to erythema multiforme major, requiring hospitalization.

Variants and Related Words

• Erythema (noun): Redness of the skin caused by capillary congestion. This is a broader term of which erythema multiforme is a specific type.
  • The patient exhibited erythema on the sun-exposed areas.

Synonyms

• Hypersensitivity rash: A general term for a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction.
• Target lesion eruption: A descriptive synonym referencing the classic appearance of the lesions.

Related Phrases

• Drug-induced erythema multiforme: Specifies the condition when it is triggered by a medication.
  • The case was identified as drug-induced erythema multiforme.

Related Idioms

Noun

1. a red rash caused by hypersensitivity to a drug or disease or other allergen