Erythema nodosum

Background

• Often marker for systemic disease
• Most common in women 30-50 years of age
• Usually a self-limited disease

Clinical Features

• Painful
• Non-ulcerative nodules
• Violaceous, erythematous
• Usually anterior tibia, arms, trunk

DDx

• Drug induced (OCPs, sulfonamides, PCN)
• Tuberculosis
• Fungal disease
• Sarcoidosis
• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn's disease
• Behcet's disease
• Cat scratch disease
• Mononucleosis
• Streptococcal pharyngitis
• Normal pregnancy
• Malignancy (leukemia, lymphoma)

Management

• Treat underlying cause
• NSAIDs
• RICE, cool wet compresses

Sources

• Hebel et al. Erythema Nodosum. Apr 13, 2015. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1081633-overview