Many diseases present with the manifestation of sure signs or symptoms that can represent another condition that requires medical attention since these symptoms can worsen the situation that produced them in the first instance. As part of recovering from an infection, for example, the body has an immune response that fights the microorganisms that cause it. Still, on some occasions, the immune system can produce an exaggerated or contrary response to our body, producing specific symptoms that worsen the situation of the affected person.
An example of this is erythema nodosum, which can manifest as part of the symptoms of specific infectious processes and other conditions that require an immune response. Read this FastlyHealarticle to learn everything about erythema nodosum: causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Table of Contents
What is erythema nodosum -photos-
This term is known for the appearance of inflammatory processes due to a nonspecific immune response that is located in the subcutaneous tissue; it generally affects people between 18 and 32 years of age, is more frequent in men than in women, which is characterized by forming nodular, painful and benign lesions as they heal without producing ulcers or leaving scars.
Below, you will see photos of the erythema nodosum in which the lesions produced by this disease are observed.
Causas del eritema nodoso
As it is a lesion produced as a result of an immune response, erythema nodosum is usually caused by immunological processes produced by different stimuli, such as:
- Infectious processes: Those most closely related to erythema nodosum are infections of the upper airways caused by streptococci. However, it can be caused by the conditions of many different microorganisms.
- Medications: It has been possible to positively link the appearance of erythema nodosum with the consumption of certain medications, among which the most common are penicillins, oral contraceptives, sulfa drugs, and others.
- Diseases: The most linked are lymphoma , leukemia, sarcoidosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Idiopathic: When it is impossible to connect erythema nodosum with any other conditions, it is called idiopathic or primary erythema nodosum and represents between 20 and 50% of cases.
Erythema nodosum symptoms
Erythema nodosum is characterized by the very characteristic appearance of lesions that appear mainly on the anterior aspect of the calves of both legs. However, they can also appear on the forearms, thighs, and trunk. They are painful, circular, hot lesions that measure between 1 and 5 centimeters, that appear suddenly and in the first instance may appear elevated, but with the days, they flatten. Their color on the first days is red, but they change to purple and then yellow over time. They appear for eight to ten days, after which the appearance stops, and the lesions that have occurred will recover during a period that can vary from one week to 2 months after the arrival. In the photos, you can see how the lesions are caused by erythema nodosum.
Other symptoms that accompany erythema nodosum are usually:
- Fever
- Tiredness
- General discomfort
- Top
- Joint pain
- Weightloss
Diagnóstico del eritema nodoso
Because the symptoms and form of appearance of erythema nodosum are very particular, the diagnosis of this condition can only be made with a history and clinical examination. Some experts, however, recommend performing a biopsy of any of the lesions to differentiate it from other processes that may have a similar presentation, such as:
- Vasculitis nodular
- Subcutaneous lymphoma
- Cutaneous panarteritis nodosa
Treatment of erythema nodosum
As it is a benign lesion with minimal possibility of complication, erythema nodosum usually has an excellent prognosis. Its resolution is generally practically spontaneous, requiring only symptomatic treatment for discomfort, pain, and other systemic symptoms, for which it can. The use of commonly used analgesics, such as naproxen or ibuprofen, will suffice. However, rest is even more favorable to stimulate a quick recovery, taking up to 2 months.
Because a good part of the erythema nodosum is caused by other diseases, the treatment often focuses more on the resolution of these diseases, for example, the improvement of an infectious process in the respiratory tract.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Erythema nodosum: causes, symptoms, and treatment -with photos- we recommend that you enter our Immune system category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.