Tender, deep lesions are typically found on the legs in patients with erythema nodosum. In erythema nodosum, the areas of skin involved are often red and warm to touch. This image displays multiple red lesions on a leg, typical of erythema nodosum. This image displays the red, elevated areas of the skin on the lower legs, typical of erythema nodosum. This image displays a deep red inflammation typical of erythema nodosum. Erythema nodosum lesions are raised and tender when they begin (early lesions can be seen on the top part of this picture), but older lesions (seen on bottom part of the picture) flatten as they resolve. This image displays red, warm, tender lesions typical of erythema nodosum. This image displays multiple areas of erythema nodosum. This image displays the typical presentation of erythema nodosum on the legs with scattered, red, slightly elevated lesions.
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Erythema Nodosum  Information for adults

Picture of Erythema Nodosum: Tender, deep lesions are typically found on the legs in patients with erythema nodosum. Divider line
Tender, deep lesions are typically found on the legs in patients with erythema nodosum.
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Treatments Your Provider May Prescribe
After diagnosing you with erythema nodosum, your physician will attempt to identify a possible cause, such as medication, infection, or medical condition. The doctor may order diagnostic tests such as blood work, chest X-ray, or throat culture. If an underlying cause is identified, then the physician will treat it appropriately (for example, by discontinuing a medication, prescribing antibiotics for an infection, or treating a health problem).

Once those investigations and treatments are under way, your health care provider may try the following measures to make you more comfortable:
  • Restriction of physical activity or bed rest
  • Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin
  • Potassium iodide
  • Steroids (either taken in pill form or injected directly into the lesions)
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Last Modified: 22 Dec 2008
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