Erythma multiforme or hives?

I have suffered ith skin lesions for about two yrs. I had my primary doctor say it was erythma multiforme and sent me to a dermatoligist, who said it was by looking at it. I then have it return and a new dermatoigist thought it was hives. they did a biopsy and it came back as hives,she said I might have the two things going on. I stayed on valtrex the first time for six months,with no help. the second round two different allergy pills,that did calm it down.I had abreif period  that I thought it stooped. I have know the ones that look like erythma multiforme. They start out as an itchy bump that start having a place that looks like a sting would have been,it then start spreading into  a round ring that grows very big and blisters. The first time I had about eight of these on my hands. The one on my pinky had a very huge blister form. IThe lesions stay for for months, same spot . I wanted to know do hives form lesions that look like erythma multiforme and stay their for months growing? I thought hives come up and then fade not leaving sores. I can see that they might come and go while new ones come up,but they would fade.Can this be hive? What can I do to make them go away. I also want to say that I have neurapthy. They thought on the beginning it was Ms, and I have been checked fo lupus and you name it.Could it just be my autoammune system? I know you ca't diagnose me,but I would like to here your opinion.
                                                                                       Thanks Roaseanna

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Erythema multiforme presents with mildly itchy (but itching can be very severe), pink-red blotches, symmetrically arranged and starting on the extremities. It often takes on the classical "target lesion" appearance with a pink-red ring around a pale center. Hives can erupt as pink red blotches but it is very rare for hives to persist for so long (like after 6 weeks).

Erythema multiforme is frequently self-limiting and requires no treatment but prophylactic treatment with acyclovir has been shown to be effective in preventing recurrences.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Erythema multiforme presents with mildly itchy (but itching can be very severe), pink-red blotches, symmetrically arranged and starting on the extremities. It often takes on the classical "target lesion" appearance with a pink-red ring around a pale center. Hives can erupt as pink red blotches but it is very rare for hives to persist for so long (like after 6 weeks).

Erythema multiforme is frequently self-limiting and requires no treatment but prophylactic treatment with acyclovir has been shown to be effective in preventing recurrences.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[roaseanna]

Thank you for your answer. I do have the red rings around the pale center,mine does not run it's course in six weeks,as I have read erythma multiforme does. I always have sores in my mouth with it. I really do appreciate your time for ansewing my question. I also would like to say thank you and all of the other doctors for reading and answering our questions. May God bless you all. Sometimes we patients do not appreciate doctors like we should,if not for your long journey to be a doctor there would be a lot of suffering in this world.
                                                               Thanks again,Roaseanna

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,

Thanks for your kind words. Wishing you good health. Take care.