triniwitch

I have had a rather violent rash on my hands and arms for the past several days. I went to the emergency room twice and finally got referred to a dermatology clinic. They doctor I saw there said I had Erythema Multiforme (EM) which is an allergic reaction that results in a wild variety of skin lesions.

At first I thought I had some reaction to a detergent or something. But now my husband is developing the same rash and I started looking on the internet.

Apparently 90% of EM cases are caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (usually type I--the cold sore kind). And most other cases by an allergic reaction to a medication.

Well, neither my husband nor I have had any kind of new medication lately. I suppose we could have the cold sore type of herpes although neither one of us have ever had a cold sore.

So, has anyone ever heard of getting EM from an allergic reaction to something like detergent or something (we have been staying in a hotel for the last week and a half due to a flood at our place)?

Any thoughts would be appreciated as I am a little worried about this.

Thanks!

Trini