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title: A 14-year-old boy presents with diffuse skin disease
description: It's Maculopapular Lesion Quiz Time with Med-Challenger!
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quick quiz

# A 14-year-old boy presents with diffuse skin disease

It's Maculopapular Lesion Quiz Time with Med-Challenger!

[ Med-Challenger ](https://challengercme.com/blog/author/med-challenger)

 Dec 29, 2024

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![A 14-year-old boy presents with diffuse skin disease](https://challengercme.com/hubfs/image%20(50).png)

A 14-year-old boy presents with diffuse skin disease and several doughnut-shaped papules that have an erythematous border and pale inner rings (see Figure).

![image (50)](https://challengercme.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%20(50).png?width=433&height=271&name=image%20(50).png)

*Figure.*

Upon physical examination of his hands, you note a palmar eruption comprised of papules with central necrosis.

Which of the following conditions is the most likely in this patient?

- erythema multiforme
- dyshidrotic eczema
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- secondary syphili

The correct answer is:

erythema multiforme

 

**Educational Objective:**

Identify the characteristic skin lesions of erythema multiforme.

**Explanation:**

This patient likely has erythema multiforme, which may involve a range of dermatologic symptoms that include erythematous macules, papules, vesicles and bullae. Although most of these symptoms are asymptomatic, some may present with a burning sensation or pruritus. The classic lesion of erythema multiforme has target-like papules with an erythematous outer border and a pale inner ring. The inner ring may have a necrotic center that could develop into blisters.

**Reference:**

Joyce, J. Vesiculobullous disorders. In: Kliegman RM, et al. *Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics*. 20th ed., 2015:3140-3150.

 

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