Erythema Nodosum Causes, Treatment, Symptoms and Diagnosis

The skin condition erythema nodosum causes painful, swollen, red, or purple pimples, which are most frequently found on the shins. The lumps might occasionally appear in other parts of the body as well.

This condition exhibits the most common form of panniculitis, which is an inflammation of the fat layer beneath the skin. It frequently happens as a result of an immune response to an illness or as a reaction to medicines you've taken.

Causes Of Erythema Nodosum

In more than 50% of cases, there is no known reason. After an infection or after taking certain medications, erythema nodosum frequently develops. According to medical professionals, it might be brought on by an immune system overreaction to microorganisms and other chemicals you've been exposed to.

Among the causes are:

• Diseases like strep throat or tuberculosis reactions to medications including antibiotics (sulfonamides and varieties of penicillin), salicylates, iodides, bromides, and birth control pills
• Sarcoidosis, a condition that causes inflammation throughout the body, coccidioidomycosis, an infection of the lungs and upper respiratory system, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease, pregnancy cancer (rarely),
• People between the ages of 20 and 40 are most frequently affected by erythema nodosum. It is six times more likely to develop in women than in men.

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Symptoms Of Erythema Nodosum

The most common symptom is red, painful lumps on the lower portion of your legs. Your face, torso, arms, thighs, and other body parts may also occasionally develop these pimples.

The lumps can range in size from half an inch to four inches. There could be two to fifty of them.

Bumps from erythema nodosum can be hot and hurt. They initially appear red, then turn purple and, as they heal, take on the appearance of bruises. Additionally, they flatten out as they recover.

Two weeks may pass before the lumps disappear. For up to six weeks, new bumps can continue to appear.

The following are other signs and symptoms of erythema nodosum:

• Fever
• Tiredness
• Joint ache
• Leg and ankle pain
• Swollen ankles
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the chest
• A cough 
• Sore throat
• Weight loss
• Stomach discomfort
• Diarrhea.

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Diagnosis Of Erythema Nodosum

Your medical history will be discussed with your doctor, along with any recent infections or medication usage. Your physician will then examine the lumps.

To check for inflammation in your body, a blood test will likely be performed on you. Tuberculosis and other illnesses can also be detected by blood tests. A throat culture to check for strep throat might be performed on you.

Among the other examinations to search for the reasons of erythema nodosum are:

• Stool culture; urine test; chest X-ray
• From the fat layer under your skin, your doctor could take a tissue sample. This test is called a biopsy. To check for alterations connected to erythema nodosum, a lab professional will examine the sample under a microscope.

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Treatment Of Erythema Nodosum

Your doctor will recommend antibiotics if a bacterial infection is what caused this problem. The medication must be stopped in order to treat erythema nodosum brought on by a drug reaction.

Until the lumps heal, these medications can assist you in controlling pain and other symptoms:

• NSAIDs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) should not be used if you have Crohn's disease as they may precipitate an attack.
• iodide-potassium oral steroids
• While the bumps heal, you should also elevate your legs while you rest and wear compression stockings. Additionally, avoid rubbing the lumps by avoiding tight or scratchy clothing.

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