Erythema nodosum causes and treatment

Erythema nodosum is an inflammatory reaction in the fat beneath the skin. It often produces tender red or purple nodules, especially over the lower legs, with aching joints or feeling unwell in some people. The reaction can follow an infection, start after a medicine, or occur alongside conditions such as sarcoidosis or inflammatory bowel disease.

Sometimes no clear trigger is found. That does not make the symptoms imaginary or remove the value of a clinical review. The appearance and history guide assessment, while tests are chosen according to symptoms and possible causes.

For comfort, rest the affected limbs, elevate them when possible and use a cool compress protected by cloth. A clinician or pharmacist can advise on suitable pain relief after checking your medical history and other medicines. Avoid starting antibiotics or steroid tablets without a diagnosis, since the wrong treatment can obscure an infection or cause harm.

When a trigger is found, treating it is the central step. If inflammation is substantial, a clinician may prescribe an anti-inflammatory medicine or consider oral corticosteroids in selected circumstances. Follow-up checks whether new nodules are appearing and whether other symptoms need attention.

Seek prompt assessment for fever with rapidly worsening redness, severe one-sided swelling, breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, severe abdominal symptoms, or eye pain or visual change. Make an appointment if nodules keep returning, pain limits walking, or symptoms continue despite supportive care.

What causes are most relevant to my history? Which tests, if any, would change treatment? What pain relief is safe for me? How will we know whether the underlying trigger has settled?