DOC I HAVE ERYTHEMA MULTIFORME      

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What is Erythema Multiforme?

Erythema Multiforme is an acute erythematous allergic skin reaction to a allergen or infection often associated with mucosal lesions.

A more severe erythema multiforme is Stevens-Johnson syndrome which can be potentially fatal.

What causes Erythema Multiforme?

The commonest cause is viral infections.

One third of cases occurs about 10 days after herpes simplex appears.

Other viral causes are viral pneumonia.

Bacterial infections causes are :
1.Hemophilic Streptococcus
2.Mycoplasma

Medications also causes lesions:
1.sulphonamides

2.barbiturates

3.phenylbutazone

4.Penicillins

5.Phenytoin

Radiation therapy for cancer can also cause the lesions.

The exact cause of erythema multiforme is unknown. It is believed that there is damage to the blood vessels of the skin and then damage to skin tissues.

Some forms of this condition are more severe than others.

Erythema multiforme minor is not very serious. Most erythema multiforme is caused by herpes simplex or mycoplasma infections

Erythema multiforme major which is very severe is known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The Steven Johnson’s syndrome is usually caused by reactions to medications  rather than infections.

Erythema multiforme occurs primarily in children and young adults.

What are the symptoms of Erythema Multiforme?

Erythema Multiforme symptoms is acute in onset .

1.lesions involve usually the face and flexor aspects of extremities;

palms and soles may be affected

2.lesions are raised pink papules annular in shape with purple center

3,the lesions are discrete and often described as target lesions

4.Sometimes the center is vesicular or bullous

5.In the mouth the mucosa is shed leaving raw red painful areas.
Tongue and lips may be similarly affected.

In severe cases also known as Steven Johnson syndrome general illness occurs with:
a.fever
b.headache
c.prostation
d.nose rashes
5.conjunctiva and eye lesions
6.vagina – sometimes weeping eczema of the mucosa
7.urethra – similar reaction may occur

6.Drug induced toxic epidermal necrosis (more severe Steven Johnson Syndrome) represents the serious form of erythema multiforme.

How is the diagnosis of Erythema Multiforme made?

The diagnosis of  Erythema Multiforme involve:
1.typical appearance of skin and mucosa

2.history of viral,bacterial and medical causes.

3.Nikolsky’s sign is a skin finding in which the top layers of the skin slip away from the lower layers when slightly rubbed.

4.Skin biopsy and microscopic examination of the tissue

What are the complications for Erythema Multiforme ?
1.danger of excessive shedding of cells from skin and mucosa leading to shock and death

2.chronic infections with pneumonia

What is the treatment for Erythema Multiforme?

Treatment for severe Erythema Multiforme :
1.Hospitalization and prevention of shock and dehydration with intravenous fluids

2.treatment of the condition with high doses of corticosteroids

3.treat chronic infections with antibiotics

4.Antihistamines for itch

5.Local toilet to eyes,nose, mouth, vagina important in severe cases

6.large bullae may incised for relief

7.analgesis for pain

8.treat underlying cause and remove offending drug or radiation

9.Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) to heal the disease process

10.Skin graft may be necessary in cases where large areas of the body are affected.

In the Erythema Multiforme minor, the condition is milder. Treatment involve:

1.antihistamines to control itching

2.Oral antiviral medication if it is caused by herpes simplex

3.paracetamol to reduce fever and discomfort

4. Topical local anesthetic to apply to mouth lesions to reduce  discomfort when eating and drinking

What is the prognosis of Erythema Multiforme?

1.generally good in mild cases.

2.mortality rate with Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis may be high without proper treatment.

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A CUTE POEM ON COLD SORES

I always had a cold sore fear .

It happens to me every year

I am not a hypochondriac

Not is it self control I lack

I simply know the time of the year

Is when cold sores give rise to fear

Big ugly cold sores that drips and droops

Can make me look like some damn ghouls

They make people stare and move aside

And they destroy a person’s pride

Oh sure I know that the world goes on

A tingle then a tiny pain

Just in time to blow a part

The days of cheer apart just as they start

The Holidays are time to cheer

With friends and family anywhere

But how can I join in the fun ?

Until this stupid cold sores are done.

I used so many meds.

Most have neen approved by the Feds.

But nothing seems to work for me

To help my life be cold sore free.

I was always at a loss

My cold sores seems to be boss.

Finally I found a site

That guaranteed to end my plight

I used it thinking it would fail

To my surprise the product worked

Man I felt like such a jerk

I almost skipped past this site

But a small voice told me this was right

My skeptism was so dumb

I almost did not order some

Clearlipz has done the job for me

And now I am being cold sore free

Clearlipz can do the same from you

You could try some Clearlipz too

( This poem was an advertizement from clearlipz.com)

It is a very cute poem on cold sores on Youtube.com

The link is www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nMFZCf4lw0

However as you know from my blog on cold sores that this is a temporarily cure for the symptoms of  cold sores as the herpes simplex virus causing the cold sore will remain in the body remaining dormant until the body’s immune system drop again and the cold sore will break out again.

Some myths about herpes virus:

You cannot get cold sores from taps or non-bodily objects because the herpes virus dries out when it is exposed to air, and is quite fragile.

There are fears that cold sore are dangerous to others especially through sex. As long as there is no direct contact with the cold sore, there is no danger of genital herpes. Educating yourself about the virus, and learning how to talk to others about it, is important

Physical and emotional stress can trigger an outbreak of cold sores in some people.

From the Cold Sore Biz Blog at http://coldsore.biz

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DOC I HAVE COLD SORES

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What are Cold sores?
Cold sores are small blisters that form around the lips or nostrils caused by the herpes simplex virus.

What is the cause of Cold sores?
There are two types of the herpes simplex virus(HSV-1 and HSV-2).

Both can cause cold sores but most are caused by the HSV-1 herpes virus. Cold sores are also called fever blisters because they are associated with fever. They can be very painful and can occur on the chin, fingertips, or cheeks.

The herpes virus can be highly contagious entering the body through a break in the skin, and can be spread by touch, from an infected person’s utensils, using razors, or from a parent with the virus kissing a child.

The blisters from cold sores contain a clear fluid. When these blisters break, scabs can form over the area. Cold sores can last from a few days to up to two weeks.

What are the symptoms of Cold Sores?

1.Fever is the start of a cold sore.
2.tingling or itching feeling at the site of the cold sore
3.presence of cold sore blister at the lips or nostril
4.swollen lymph glands may be present sometimes

What are the preventive measures for cold sores?

1.It is difficult to prevent a cold sore once the herpes virus gets into the body.
The virus will remain there to cause the outbreak of cold sores.
Anti-viral medications could be taken daily to prevent the herpes virus but is not advisable.

2.Instead Lysine taken in capsule form has a preventive effect on the frequency of cold sores outbreak. Again Lysine should not be taken long term. It can be taken daily for three months, then stopped for three months. If the cold sores occur in the winter along with regular colds, the Lysine can be taken during the winter months to help prevent outbreaks of cold sores.

3.Avoid the sun and sunlight exposure which are triggers of cold sores

4.Lack of sleep and stress

What is the treatment of Cold Sores?

Western medicines:
1.Prescription anti-viral medications can reduce the severity of outbreaks and the frequency of outbreaks. Prescription anti-viral creams and ointments also may help to allevate symptoms when  cold sores occur.

2.vitamin B supplements have been recommended because research has found that Vitamin B12 insufficiency can increase the outbreak of cold sores.

3.lysine capsules can help to reduce occurrences of cold sores

4.Ice can help soothe and heal outbreaks when they occur.

5.Have adequate sleep and avoid stress

Alternative medicines

1.Fresh aloe vera directly from the plant is one of the best cures for outbreaks of cold sores.

2.Zinc sulfate is also recommended for healing a cold sore quickly.

3.Tea tree oil cream can help to clear cold sores fairly rapidly

4.Avoid arginine amino acid which are present in peanuts and chocolate, oatmeal and whole-wheat products should be avoided.

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