Skin lesion consisting of the appearance of painful nodules or cysts with inflammatory signs (red and warm), usually located on the front of the tibia.
In most cases, they appear as a consequence of a disease (mononucleosis, tuberculosis, streptococcus, chlamydia, hepatitis B, lupus erythematosus, lymphoma, rheumatic fever, Crohn's disease) or as a reaction of sensitivity to a drug (penicillins, oral contraceptives, sulfonamides...). On other occasions, the cause of its appearance is not known.
The symptoms are: fever, general malaise, digestive symptoms, joint pain and headache, tiredness and swelling of the affected area and joints.
Diagnosis is made by clinical history and physical examination. It may be necessary to perform a skin biopsy, a blood test and/or an X-ray.
The treatment is based on solving the cause that has provoked it. In addition, it may require antibiotics, analgesics and usual or steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and potassium iodide solution. Elevation of the affected extremity and application of indirect local cold may help to reduce inflammation.
Although the symptoms are uncomfortable, they disappear after approximately 6 weeks without scarring. It is not a serious disease and recurrence is rare.
- J.J. Ríos, E. Sendagorta, M. J. González. Eritema nudoso. Med Clin 2009; 132(2):75-79
- D. Agüero, M. C. Cubero, O. Martín. Eritema nodoso, a propósito de un caso. Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria. 2009; 11(43):451-456.
- MedlinePlus. Rockville. 2017. Eritema nudoso; [citado el 28 de junio de 2017]. Disponible en: https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/000881.htm
- UpToDate [Internet]. Waltham. 2017. Erythema nodosum; [citado el 28 de junio de 2017]. Disponible en: http://www.uptodate.com/contents/erythema-nodosum?source=search_result&search=eritema+nodoso&selectedTitle=1~71
