Erythema Multiforme in Infants: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Erythema multiforme is a skin condition that can occur in babies at any time throughout their infancy. This condition may cause discomfort for the baby, but it is not long lasting in most cases.

Effects

• Babies who suffer from erythema multiforme will have a fever, pain in their joints, cold sores, itching and red patches of skin.

Causes

• Causes of erythema multiforme include reactions to infections, medications and vaccinations.

Identification

• To identify whether or not a baby has erythema multiforme, a physician will perform a physical examination. He will ask about any previous vaccinations and illnesses as well as whether or not the baby has taken any medication recently.

Treatments

• Erythema multiforme eventually clears up on its own without treatment. To alleviate discomfort a baby may have, a physician will administer antihistamines and acetaminophen.

Considerations

• Erythema multiforme can take up to 4 weeks to go away. It can recur if the baby is exposed to what initially caused the outbreak of erythema multiforme.