Overview

Erythema nodosum may be a skin condition characterized by the sudden eruption of tender, red bumps, particularly on the shins. It represents inflammation of the deeper portions of the skin (the fat , or fatty layer of skin). Erythema nodosum often occurs as an isolated skin finding, or it's going to be related to certain medications, infections, or underlying medical conditions.

Who's at risk?

Erythema nodosum can develop in persons of any age, sex, and ethnicity. Young adults are particularly vulnerable to developing erythema . Moreover, women are 4 times more likely than men to be affected.

Approximately 30–50% of cases of erythema haven't any underlying cause. However, an associated medication, infection, or health condition could also be found within the remainder of cases.

Erythema nodosum may develop in people on these medications:

Ø  Birth control pills

Ø  Estrogen pills

Ø  Antibiotics (such as sulfonamides or penicillin)

Erythema nodosum may occur in persons with one among the subsequent infections:

Ø  Streptococcal infections (such as strep throat)

Ø  Intestinal infections

Ø  Tuberculosis

Ø  Pneumonia (viral or bacterial)

Ø  Fungal infections (such as coccidioidomycosis or histoplasmosis)

Erythema nodosum could also be seen in individuals with one among these underlying medical conditions:

Ø  Pregnancy

Ø  Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease)

Ø  Sarcoidosis

Ø  Lymphoma or leukemia

Signs and Symptoms

The most common locations for erythema nodosum include:

Ø  Shins

Ø  Knees, ankles, or thighs

Ø  Forearms

Ø  Face and neck

Erythema nodosum appears together or more reddish, warm, and painful lumps or nodules, ranging in size from 1–10 cm.

The onset of erythema could also be related to fever, generalized achiness, leg swelling, or joint pain.

Individual nodules of erythema usually last from 1–2 weeks, but new lesions may still appear for up to six weeks. When a private lesion of erythema has resolved, it's going to leave behind a short lived bruise, which subsequently fades to normal-appearing skin.

Self-Care Guidelines

Although erythema may occur on its own, it's more often related to a medicine or with an underlying infection or medical condition. Therefore, it's important to ascertain a physician so as to research any possible health problems. In the meantime, however, the tenderness of the skin lesions may be alleviated by the following:

Ø  Restriction of physical activity or bed rest

Ø  Elevation of the legs (if they are affected)

Ø  Cool or warm compresses

Generally, people with erythema do quite well, especially once any underlying medical condition has been treated.

When to Seek Medical Care

Since erythema are often related to underlying infections or health problems, a physician should be consulted within a couple of days of noticing the skin lesions.

Treatments Your Physician May Prescribe

After diagnosing you with erythema , your physician will plan to identify a possible cause, like medication, infection, or medical condition. The doctor may order diagnostic tests like blood work, chest X-ray, or throat culture. If an underlying cause is identified, then the physician will treat it appropriately (for example, by discontinuing a medication, prescribing antibiotics for an infection, or treating a health problem).

Once those investigations and coverings are under way, your health care provider may try the subsequent measures to form you more comfortable:

Ø  Restriction of physical activity or bed rest

Ø  Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin

Ø  Potassium iodide

Ø  Steroids (either taken in pill form or injected directly into the lesions)

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