Erythema nodosum
Causes and symptoms of erythema nodosum
What is erythema nodosum?
Erythema nodosum is an inflammatory skin lesion. Subcutaneous fat is involved in the pathological process. In this case, a painful rash in the form of reddish nodules appears on a certain area of the skin. The most common place of localization of such a rash is the shins. With erythema nodosum, formations can have different sizes - from one centimeter to five. The disease can go away on its own after one or two months. Bruises often remain at the site of the nodules. Often, the subcutaneous fat layer in the affected area is also subject to defects. Sometimes relapses of erythema nodosum are possible: appearing in different places, it can become chronic. Usually it is caused by any infectious diseases, although an independent course of the disease is possible.
Causes of erythema nodosum
The causes of erythema nodosum can be various infectious diseases, among which, for example, acute pharyngitis or benign lymphoreticulosis, infectious mononucleosis. Also, risk factors for the development of erythema nodosum are fungal diseases, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease), hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, sarcoidosis, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, etc. taking some medications can also cause this pathology. This is especially true for estrogens, contraceptives and sulfur-containing drugs. But erythema nodosum can occur on its own, without any visible prerequisites.
Erythema nodosum is usually diagnosed by external examination. Sometimes a biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Symptoms of erythema nodosum
The initial symptoms of erythema nodosum usually become a sharp increase in body temperature (up to 39 ° C). In this case, signs of intoxication appear: a person suffers from severe headaches, sleep disturbances, nausea, vomiting. After a couple of days, a specific rash occurs. Reddish nodules appear predominantly on the lower legs, but sometimes the disease affects the thighs, forearms, or even the face. The rash is painful, and the size of the nodules ranges from 1 to 5 cm. Sometimes the disease can be accompanied by a sore throat, arrhythmia, digestive disorders, and an increase in the size of the spleen.
Rarely, erythema nodosum causes complications, which include otitis media, nephritis and pneumonia.
Treatment of erythema nodosum
The first stage in the treatment of erythema nodosum is the diagnosis and treatment of concomitant diseases. Then, measures are taken to combat the inflammation of the subcutaneous fat. Complex therapy includes taking antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids. Cortisone and colchicine may be taken as injections or orally to reduce inflammation. Also, patients are shown bed rest, dry heat, light diet and foot baths.
As a rule, the outcome of the disease is favorable, it is treated quickly and easily, without causing complications.
Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist
Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".
