Skin Rashes Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Skin Rashes, including details on dermatitis, itches, creams, medication, treatment.

Poison ivy: an underreported cause of erythema multiforme.

Werchniak AE, Schwarzenberger K

Department of Dermatology, Dartmouth Medical School and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA.

The relationship between herpes simplex virus (HSV) and erythema multiforme (EM) has been well described. Many authors contend that EM (excluding Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis) occurs almost exclusively as a response to HSV infection. During the past year, however, we have observed several cases of EM complicating severe Rhus allergic contact dermatitis. Although this association has been previously documented, the paucity of cases in the literature, along with our experience, suggests that this is an underreported phenomenon. We describe 4 of our cases.

Published 3 December 2004 in J Am Acad Dermatol, 51(5): S159-60.
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