The key difference between erythema multiforme and Stevens Johnson syndrome is that erythema multiforme is a skin disorder that primarily causes target lesions on the extremities and is often triggered by infectious agents such as Mycoplasma and herpes simplex virus, while Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a skin disorder that primarily causes rashes in the skin and mucous membranes and is often triggered by drugs.
Skin disorders vary greatly in symptoms as well as in severity. These skin diseases are temporary or permanent. They may be painless, painful, or life-threatening. Some skin diseases are caused by situational causes, and others are caused by genetic factors. Erythema multiforme and Stevens Johnson syndrome are two types of rare skin disorders.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Erythema Multiforme
3. What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome
4. Similarities – Erythema Multiforme and Stevens Johnson Syndrome
5. Erythema Multiforme vs Stevens Johnson Syndrome in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Erythema Multiforme vs Stevens Johnson Syndrome
What is Erythema Multiforme?
Erythema multiforme is a skin disorder usually triggered by infectious agents such as Mycoplasma and herpes simplex virus or some drugs. It is normally mild and goes away in a few weeks’ time. This skin disease is rare. The serious form often affects the mouth, genitals, and eyes; hence, it is life-threatening. This is known as erythema multiforme major. Erythema multiforme mainly affects adults under 40 though it can occur at any age. Moreover, erythema multiforme affects males more than females. The symptoms of erythema multiforme may include a rash on the extremities (tend to start on hands or feet before spreading to the limbs, upper body, and face), high temperature, headache, feeling unwell, raw sores inside the mouth making it hard to eat or drink, swollen lips covered by crusts, sores on genitals, sore red eyes, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and joint aches.
Figure 01: Erythema Multiforme
Erythema multiforme is treated through clinical examination, complete blood tests, liver function tests, ESR, serological tests, and chest X-rays. Furthermore, treatments for erythema multiforme include stopping medicines that trigger this condition, antihistamines, and moisturizing creams to reduce itching, steroid creams to reduce redness and swelling, painkillers, antiviral tablets, anesthetic mouthwash to ease discomfort in the mouth, wound dressings to stop sores becoming infected, taking a soft liquid diet, antibiotics if a bacterial infection develops, and eyes drops if eyes are affected.
What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. This skin condition starts as a reaction to medications and causes a painful rash that spreads and blisters. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a medical emergency condition that normally needs hospitalization. This syndrome affects males and females equally. A more severe form of Stevens-Johnson syndrome disease is toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). The severe form involves more than 30% of the skin surface and extensive damage to the mucous membranes. The symptoms of Stevens-Johnson syndrome include a red or purple rash that spreads, widespread unexplained pain, fever, a sore mouth and throat, fatigue, burning eyes, blisters on the skin, the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals, and shredding of skin within days after blister form.
Moreover, Stevens-Johnson syndrome can be diagnosed through a review of medical history, physical examination, skin biopsy, laboratory culture, imaging (X-ray), and blood tests. Furthermore, the treatments for Stevens-Johnson syndrome include stopping nonessential medications, fluid replacement, and nutrition, wound care (put petroleum jelly on the affected area), eye care, pain medication to reduce discomfort, topical steroids to reduce inflammation in the eyes and mucous membranes, antibiotics to control infections, and oral or injected medications such as corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulins.
What are the Similarities Between Erythema Multiforme and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?
- Erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome are two types of rare skin disorders.
- Both skin disorders can be triggered by medications.
- They can cause a rash on the skin.
- Both skin disorders can be diagnosed through physical examination.
- They are treated through oral or topical medications.
What is the Difference Between Erythema Multiforme and Stevens Johnson Syndrome?
Erythema multiforme is a skin disorder that primarily causes target lesions on the extremities and is often triggered by infectious agents such as Mycoplasma and herpes simplex virus, while Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a skin disorder that primarily causes rashes in the skin and mucous membranes and is often triggered by drugs. Thus, this is the key difference between erythema multiforme and Stevens Johnson syndrome.
The below infographic presents the differences between erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Erythema Multiforme vs Stevens Johnson Syndrome
Erythema multiforme and Stevens Johnson syndrome are two types of rare skin disorders. Erythema multiforme primarily causes target lesions on the extremities and is often triggered by infectious agents such as Mycoplasma and herpes simplex virus. Stevens Johnson primarily causes rashes in the skin and mucous membranes and is often triggered by drugs. So, this summarizes the difference between erythema multiforme and Stevens Johnson syndrome.
Reference:
1. “Erythema multiforme.” NHS Choices, NHS.
2. “Steven-Johnson Syndrome (SJS): Causes, Rash & Treatments.” Cleveland Clinic.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Erythema multiforme minor of the hand” By James Heilman, MD – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Hallmark symptom of Steven Johnson Syndrome presents as inflamed peeling skin in an initial allergic reaction” By Tessa Bennet – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia