Index
Definition:
It is a skin condition characterized by redness or rash of it. There are many types of erythema, including sensitive, multiform, and knotty photos.
Photosensitivity is caused by a reaction to sunlight and occurs when something like an infection or medication increases your sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.
Flat spots or other skin lesions characterize the multiform. It is usually caused by a reaction to medications, infections (especially herpes simplex virus), or disease.
The knotty is a variant of erythema that is accompanied by very acute lesions, usually located on the legs below the knees, and can be caused by certain medications or diseases.
What causes it?
More than half of the cases of this mysterious disease still do not know the exact cause. In other cases, a variety of reasons can result in erythema.
Erythema multiforme occurs by:
Infection, mainly of the simple herpes virus. Medications, such as penicillin and sulfonamides; anticonvulsant medications; Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Erythema nodosum can occur due to:
- Infections, including mononucleosis
- Connective tissue disorders, such as lupus.
- Pregnancy.
- Ulcerative colitis
- Behcet’s disease
- Crohn’s disease.
- Medications, such as birth control pills
Who is most at risk?
Men are at a higher risk than women with erythema multiforme. Women are more at risk than men of getting erythema nodosum.
- Excessive or frequent sun exposure increases the risk of erythema multiforme.
- People between 20 to 30 years of age are at greater risk of erythema nodosum.
- People with a family history of skin diseases are more likely to develop any form of erythema multiforme or erythema nodosum.
What are your symptoms?
The symptoms of erythema multiforme are:
- Fatigue, fever, and pruritus (before the lesions appear).
- The sudden outbreak of spots, bumps, and injuries (usually appear on the knees, elbows, palms, hands, and feet).
- Erythema infections (caused by a virus) and rashes on the face and arms last approximately two weeks.
Among the symptoms of erythema nodosum, we have:
- Fatigue, flu-like signs (before the lesions appear).
- Clusters of nodules (small and round masses) and lesions on the forearms, thighs, and trunk.
- Painful, red lesions that turn soft and bluish and fade to yellow and brown.
- Joint pains
- Arthritis.
What are the treatment options?
Prevention.
It is necessary to treat underlying diseases and avoid known triggers (certain medications, for example). It is also essential to avoid the sun when taking certain medications.
Treatment plan
Your doctor will treat any underlying disease, avoid any medication that may worsen symptoms, and take steps to control your current symptoms.
Mild cases may not require treatment. Bed rest and medications may be necessary for more severe cases.
Therapies with medicines.
- Antihistamines for itching.
- Antibiotics In case you have an infection, although research suggests that many instances of erythema can be resolved without antibiotics.
- Antiviral medications such as Acyclovir, in case you have the virus.
- Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- The compresses are a solution used to soothe skin conditions, particularly blisters.
- Corticosteroids are applied to the skin (topically); Corticosteroids can also be taken orally to reduce the symptoms of erythema nodosum.
- The intravenous immunoglobulin.
- Photo-modulation therapy uses a light-emitting diode to accelerate the elimination of erythema.
