Erythema multiforme that involves mucous membranes is known as which condition?

Erythema multiforme that involves mucous membranes is known as which condition?

• A. Erythema nodosum
• B. Toxic epidermal necrolysis
• C. Psoriasis
• D. Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Answer: (D)

Erythema multiforme that involves mucous membranes is Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The key feature here is mucosal involvement—oral, ocular, and genital surfaces—which marks this more severe form compared with erythema multiforme that affects only the skin. Stevens-Johnson is often drug-triggered or infection-associated and can be accompanied by systemic symptoms and potential epidermal detachment. The other conditions don’t center on mucosal involvement: erythema nodosum is a painful nodular eruption on the shins without mucosal involvement; psoriasis is a chronic plaque skin disease; toxic epidermal necrolysis is a more extensive and life-threatening spectrum with widespread skin detachment, but the defining cue in this case is mucosal involvement pointing to Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Erythema multiforme that involves mucous membranes is Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The key feature here is mucosal involvement—oral, ocular, and genital surfaces—which marks this more severe form compared with erythema multiforme that affects only the skin. Stevens-Johnson is often drug-triggered or infection-associated and can be accompanied by systemic symptoms and potential epidermal detachment. The other conditions don’t center on mucosal involvement: erythema nodosum is a painful nodular eruption on the shins without mucosal involvement; psoriasis is a chronic plaque skin disease; toxic epidermal necrolysis is a more extensive and life-threatening spectrum with widespread skin detachment, but the defining cue in this case is mucosal involvement pointing to Stevens-Johnson syndrome.