A Case of Persistent Erythema Multiforme Treated with Dapsone

Abstract

Erythema multiforme is a clinical entity that presents in three different clinical forms, namely classic, recurrent, or persistent. Persistent erythema multiforme (PEM) is a rare variant that may be localized in different regions compared with the classical erythema multiforme, has a continuous course, and can present in inflammatory clinical forms. PEM was defined as the uninterrupted persistence of typical or atypical target-like lesions. Data about its etiology and treatment is obtained from case reports. Herein, we present the case of a 37-year-old male patient who presented to our outpatient clinic with palmar lesions and with the presence severe oral bullae and ulcers treated with systemic steroids and dapsone. Due to the rarity of the disease, reporting this case is expected contribute to the literature and provide evidence that 50 mg dapsone treatment may be used to control PEM.