Erythema Nodosum

Erythema nodosum is a condition that causes painful patches of skin that look red or darker than the surrounding skin. It usually goes away by itself, but it can sometimes be a sign of something serious like an inflammatory bowel condition, such as Crohn's disease.

Symptoms of erythema nodosum

If you have erythema nodosum, you may have flu-like symptoms before or at the same time as you get the patches on your skin.

For example, you may:

have a high temperature
have swollen, aching joints, particularly the knees, ankles and wrists
feel generally unwell

The skin usually heals on its own within 3 to 8 weeks without leaving a scar. But other symptoms, such as joint pain and swelling, can last for several weeks.

Things you can do to ease the pain of erythema nodosum

There are some things you can do to help ease the pain of erythema nodosum.

Do

try taking ibuprofen - but if you have Crohn's disease or colitis, do not take ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory painkillers unless your doctor tells you to
rest with your feet raised on a pillow
try to avoid long periods of standing, walking and running
put a cool wet compress, like a damp cloth, on the affected area

A pharmacist can help with erythema nodosum

If you're in pain, a pharmacist can recommend:

stronger painkillers
supportive bandages or stockings

They may also suggest you see a GP.

Find a pharmacy

See a GP if:

you have a painful skin condition that affects your daily life
lots of lumps or marks start appearing on your skin
the lumps or marks do not go away after 8 weeks

What happens at your GP appointment

The GP may be able to tell if you have erythema nodosum by looking at the inflamed areas of skin.

Tests may be needed to find the cause. This may include a biopsy, where a small sample of skin is taken so it can be looked at under a microscope.

Treatments for erythema nodosum

Treatment for erythema nodosum depends on the cause.

If it's caused by another condition, treating that condition may help. For example, if it's caused by an infection, you may be given antibiotics.

If the GP thinks a medicine you've been taking might be causing erythema nodosum, they may advise you to stop taking it. Do not stop taking medicines without asking a GP first.

If your symptoms have lasted a long time or they keep returning, other treatments, such as steroid tablets, may be recommended.

Causes of erythema nodosum

Erythema nodosum can be caused by lots of things, but often the cause is unknown.

Common causes include:

inflammatory bowel conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
bacterial infections, such a throat infection, chest infection or lung infection (tuberculosis)
a rare condition where small patches of swollen tissue develop in organs, such as the lungs, lymph nodes or skin (sarcoidosis)
a reaction to some medicines, including the contraceptive pill and some antibiotics

Sexual Health Advice

Throughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:

	This item was in brought to you association with NHS website. Follow the links above for more information and don't forget to check out OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health which features items on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. This week our topic is: L - Lung Cancer.
Photos: OutUK and LightFieldStudios.