Recurrent Erythema Multiforme Major Following COVID-19 Infection

Kayla Rykiel; Julian Melchor; Ian Motie; Kevin Mulles; Vida Farhangi

doi:10.7759/cureus.42646

Recurrent Erythema Multiforme Major Following COVID-19 Infection

Cureus. 2023 Jul 29;15(7):e42646. doi: 10.7759/cureus.42646. eCollection 2023 Jul.

Authors

Kayla Rykiel¹, Julian Melchor¹, Ian Motie², Kevin Mulles², Vida Farhangi²

Affiliations

¹ Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, USA.
² Internal Medicine, Florida State University School of Medicine, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Sarasota, USA.

Abstract

Erythema multiforme (EM) is a rare and potentially serious skin condition that can present as a myriad of mucocutaneous lesions. EM can be commonly confused with other cutaneous etiologies, leading to misdiagnosis and delay in proper treatment. This paper describes a case of recurrent erythema multiforme following COVID-19 infection in a 34-year-old male with no prior medical history. The patient had an extensive rash of the oral and genital mucosal areas, diffuse cutaneous involvement, and an extended length of recovery. This unexpected association of EM and COVID-19 provides additional insight into the limited research available regarding the correlation between these two pathologies.

Keywords: coronavirus disease; covid-19; erythema multiforme major; erythema multiforme-like lesions; herpes simplex; recurrent erythema multiforme; sars-cov-2; stevens-johnson syndrome.

Publication types

Case Reports