skin disorders
Erythema Nodosum
Introduction
Erythema nodosum is a form of Panniculitis (inflammation of the fat layer beneath the skin) that produces tender red or violet bumps (nodules) under the skin, most often over the shins but occasionally on the arms and other areas. Erythema nodosum usually is caused by a reaction to a drug, an infection (bacterial, fungal, or viral), or another disorder such as inflammatory bowel disease. Typical symptoms include fever, joint pain, and characteristic painful red bumps and bruises on the person's shins. The diagnosis is based on symptoms and may be supported by results of tests that suggest a possible cause, a chest x-ray, blood tests, and a biopsy. People stop taking suspected drugs, underlying conditions or infections are treated, and pain is relieved by bed rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and sometimes a corticosteroid. (See also Overview of Hypersensitivity and Reactive Skin Disorders .) People in their 20s and 30s, particularly women, are most prone to the disorder. Quite often, erythema nodosum is a symptom of some other disease or is a reaction to a drug, but the cause is unknown in up to one third of affected people. Themost common triggersinclude Streptococcal Infections (especially in children) Sarcoidosis None Overview of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) None Other possible triggers include other bacterial infections (such as Tuberculosis (TB) ), viral infections (such as 