Snapshot
- A 12-year-old girl was recently treated for walking pneumonia and was found to be positive for mycoplasma. A few days into her illness, she developed multiple raised lesions over her palms, back of hands, and extensor forearms. These lesions were targetoid and mildly itchy. There were no lesions on her mucous membranes.
Introduction
- Hypersensitivity reaction of the skin
- Common, acute, mucocutaneous disease with classic target-shaped lesions in a symmetric distribution
- Causes
- less common = drugs
- e.g., sulfonamides, β-lactams, phenytoin
- idiopathic
- less common = drugs
- Often affects young adults (18 – 30 years old especially)
- Distinct from SJS/TEN, which is amore severe mucocutaneous reaction that is usually caused by a medication
Presentation
- Skin exam
- raised (papular), target lesions with multiple rings and dusky center (in contrast to annular lesions, as in urticaria)
- three concentric zones of color from center to outer ring
- central dusky/dark area that can be crust or vesicle
- paler pink or edematous zone
- peripheral red/dark ring
- three concentric zones of color from center to outer ring
- negative Nikolsky sign (as opposed to SJS/TEN)
- most commonly involves
- palms/soles
- backs of hands and feet
- extensor aspects of forearms and legs
- raised (papular), target lesions with multiple rings and dusky center (in contrast to annular lesions, as in urticaria)
- May involve mucous membranes
- May have systemic signs
Evaluation
- Based on symptoms and clinical history
- recent history of infection can aid diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis
- SJS/TEN (flat lesions, tender, always with mucous involvement, + Nikolsky sign)
- Urticaria (annular lesions)
- Erythema nodosum
- Viral exanthems
Treatment
- Supportive care
- Corticosteroids if severe
- Treat underlying cause if identified
- oral acyclovir for HSV
Prognosis, Prevention, and Complications
- Prognosis
- typically self-limited
- Prevention
- treat chronic herpes infections
- Complications
- usually none