The Overdiagnosis of Erythema Multiforme

To the Editor.— Erythema multiforme (EM) is an acute, self-limited mucocutaneous eruption characterized by the abrupt onset of symmetrical, fixed, red papules, some of which evolve into target lesions, the hallmark of EM.1 Since the original description by Ferdinand von Hebra in 1860, there has been confusion regarding the diagnosis.2 From children referred for a National Institutes of Health-sponsored research study of EM, we noted that a large majority of the children did not meet the criteria for EM.1