Erythema Nodosum - Symptoms & Treatment

Erythema nodosum is presumed to be a hypersensitivity response and may happen in association with some systemic illness other medicine therapies, or it can be idiopathic. The inflammatory response happens in the panniculus. Erythema nodosum is most possible to occur among fifteen and thirty years of age. Women are affected three times as often as men are. The lesions begin out slightly raised and brilliant red. They can range in size from one half inch to some inches across. The color turns to a purplish red. As they begin to fade they get a yellowish hue.

The skin lesions of erythema nodosum are quite distinctive; nonetheless, they require to be differentiated from other situation with similar symptoms. These involve insect bites, bruising, pancreatitis and phlebitis. A biopsy is typically done, along with a blood test and a chest x-ray. The most effective cure is to remove the cause. Sometimes no cause is found, and whole resolution takes four to six weeks. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID's-ibuprofen, Alleve and others) and bed rest may be use to decrease the pain and inflammation. Injections may also be used for large and painful nodules. Oral potassium iodide works great but is disagreeable to take and must be dosed correctly.

EN occurs in a variety of disorders for which the etiology remains unknown; for instance, sarcoidosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and Behcet's disease. E. nodosum often erupts in groups (crops) of new rash, although occasionally a single new nodule/lump will appear. The nodules tend to persist for some days to weeks. As they heal, they may leave improved skin color (pigmentation) that can remain for many months. Almost always the color changes ultimately completely disappear. Infrequently, a small ulcer may appear in the middle.

Cause of Erythema Nodosum

The most general cause of erythema nodosum is drugs, particularly sulfa drugs and a few brands of the oral contraceptive tablet. Apart from drugs, infections are the biggest cause of erythema nodosum, comprising Strep throat, TB and others.

• Streptococcal infection is one of the common cause.
• It is also caused fungus infection,inflammatory bowel disease.

Symptoms of Erythema Nodosum

Some sign and symptoms related to Erythema Nodosum are as follows:

• Joint aches.
• Fever.
• Skin redness, inflammation, other irritation
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the chest.
• Raised bruises on the shins.
  

Treatment of Erythema Nodosum

• Wet compresses are also useful.
• Those with severe anemia may need blood transfusions and those with immune deficiencies may be treated with immune globulin.
• Corticosteroids or salicylate medications are useful to reduce acute inflammation.
• Colchicine drug reduces the formation of uric acid crystals in affected joint.