Erythema Nodosum Treatment & Management

  • Author: Jeanette L Hebel, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 17, 2012
 

Medical Care

In most patients, erythema nodosum is a self-limited disease and requires only symptomatic relief using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cool wet compresses, elevation, and bed rest.

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Consultations

  • Dermatologist - For evaluation of the underlying cause of erythema nodosum
  • Internist - For evaluation of the underlying cause of erythema nodosum
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Activity

Patient mobility is restricted in the acute stages if pain and swelling are significant.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Jeanette L Hebel, MD  Department of Dermatology, Lancaster General Hospital

Jeanette L Hebel, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American College of Mohs Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Thomas Habif, MD  Adjunct Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Dermatology, Dartmouth Medical School

Thomas Habif, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and New Hampshire Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Timothy McCalmont, MD  Director, UCSF Dermatopathology Service, Professor of Clinical Pathology and Dermatology, Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, University of California at San Francisco; Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Cutaneous Pathology

Timothy McCalmont, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Medical Association, American Society of Dermatopathology, California Medical Association, College of American Pathologists, and United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology

Disclosure: Apsara Consulting fee Independent contractor

David F Butler, MD  Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Edward F Chan, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Edward F Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE  Medical Director, Clinical Studies Unit, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Associate Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: AMGEN Consulting fee Consulting; AMGEN Grant/research funds Investigator; Genentech Grant/research funds investigator; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Abbott Grant/research funds investigator; Abbott Consulting fee Consulting; Novartis investigator; Pfizer Grant/research funds investigator; Celgene Consulting fee DMC Chair; NIAMS and NHLBI Grant/research funds investigator

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Nguyen GC, Torres EA, Regueiro M, et al. Inflammatory bowel disease characteristics among African Americans, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic Whites: characterization of a large North American cohort. Am J Gastroenterol. May 2006;101(5):1012-23. [Medline].

  2. Mert A, Ozaras R, Tabak F, Pekmezci S, Demirkesen C, Ozturk R. Erythema nodosum: an experience of 10 years. Scand J Infect Dis. 2004;36(6-7):424-7. [Medline].

  3. Hassink RI, Pasquinelli-Egli CE, Jacomella V, Laux-End R, Bianchetti MG. Conditions currently associated with erythema nodosum in Swiss children. Eur J Pediatr. Nov 1997;156(11):851-3. [Medline].

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  8. Labbe L, Perel Y, Maleville J, Taieb A. Erythema nodosum in children: a study of 27 patients. Pediatr Dermatol. Nov-Dec 1996;13(6):447-50. [Medline].

  9. Stolk-Engelaar VM, Hoogkamp-Korstanje JA. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of gastrointestinal infections by Yersinia enterocolitica in 261 Dutch patients. Scand J Infect Dis. 1996;28(6):571-5. [Medline].

  10. Farhi D, Cosnes J, Zizi N, et al. Significance of erythema nodosum and pyoderma gangrenosum in inflammatory bowel diseases: a cohort study of 2402 patients. Medicine (Baltimore). Sep 2008;87(5):281-93. [Medline].

  11. Sullivan R, Clowers-Webb H, Davis MD. Erythema nodosum: a presenting sign of acute myelogenous leukemia. Cutis. Aug 2005;76(2):114-6. [Medline].

  12. Grunewald J, Eklund A. Lofgren's syndrome: human leukocyte antigen strongly influences the disease course. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. Feb 15 2009;179(4):307-12. [Medline].

  13. Moraes AJ, Soares PM, Zapata AL, Lotito AP, Sallum AM, Silva CA. Panniculitis in childhood and adolescence. Pediatr Int. Feb 2006;48(1):48-53. [Medline].

  14. Requena L, Yus ES. Panniculitis. Part I. Mostly septal panniculitis. J Am Acad Dermatol. Aug 2001;45(2):163-83; quiz 184-6. [Medline].

  15. Marshall JK, Irvine EJ. Successful therapy of refractory erythema nodosum associated with Crohn's disease using potassium iodide. Can J Gastroenterol. Sep 1997;11(6):501-2. [Medline].

  16. Tseng S, Pak G, Washenik K, Pomeranz MK, Shupack JL. Rediscovering thalidomide: a review of its mechanism of action, side effects, and potential uses. J Am Acad Dermatol. Dec 1996;35(6):969-79. [Medline].

 
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Classic presentation of erythema nodosum with nodular red swellings over the shins.
 
 
 
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