Erythema is a skin condition characterized by redness or rash. There are several types of erythema with causes and how to treat them you need to know. Come, see the following review.
Have you ever experienced a rash and redness on the skin? It could be that it is erythema. In medical terms, erythema is inflammation of the skin that results from congestion or dilation of capillaries. Erythema can occur due to an inflammatory reaction due to exposure to sunlight and an allergy to certain types of drugs.
Erythema is divided into several types, including erythema multiforme, erythema nodusum, and photosensitivity. Photosensitivity is caused by a reaction to sunlight and tends to occur due to infection or treatment that increases sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. There are some people who are at high risk for erythema. Men are at greater risk of developing erythema multiforme than women. Meanwhile, women are at greater risk of developing erythema nodosum than men. Exposure to excessive or excessive sunlight can also increase the risk of erythema multiforme. People aged between 20 to 30 years are at greater risk of suffering from erythema nodosum. Even people with a family history of such skin conditions are more likely to experience erythema multiforme or erythema nodosum.
Erythema Nodosum
Erythema nodosum is a form of inflammation in the layer of fat that is under the skin. Erythema nodosum can be a lump with redness and pain that generally occurs on the front of the foot under the knee. Normally, erythema nodosum will disappear by itself within three to six weeks, and leave scars like bruises. Meanwhile, chronic erythema will usually last for years with occasional recurrence patterns.
Erythema nodosum can occur with or without an underlying medical condition. Conditions associated with erythema nodosum include drugs (sulfa-related drugs, birth control pills, estrogen), sore throat, cat scratch disease, fungal diseases, mononucleosis infections, sarcoidosis, Behcet's disease, inflammation of the intestine (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) , as well as normal pregnancy.
Although not threatening internal organs, erythema nodosum can be very irritating and painful. Erythema nodosum can be treated by identifying and treating the underlying condition. Generally, treatment for erythema nodosum is an anti-inflammatory drug and cortisone by mouth or injection. Colchicine is sometimes used effectively to reduce inflammation. Under certain conditions, the treatment of erythema nodosum must be adjusted according to symptoms. For that, you are advised to consult a doctor to get the right treatment.
Erythema Multiforme
Erythema multiforme is a hypersensitivity reaction that is usually triggered by herpes simplex virus infection. Erythema multiforme can also be triggered by mycoplasma pneumonia, which is a lung infection caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Some types of viruses can also trigger this condition, such as parapoxvirus, herpes varicella zoster (chicken pox), adenovirus, hepatitis virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cytomegalovirus, vaccine reactions, and dermatophyte (tinea) fungal infections. In addition to infection, this condition can also be triggered by the use of drugs such as allopurinol to treat gout, antibiotics such as penicillin and sulfa-class antibiotics, anti-seizure drugs, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Erythema multiforme is divided into two types, minor and major. In erythema multiforme major, general symptoms can be like fever or chills, the body feels weak, joint pain, accompanied by skin lesions with a sensation of itching and burning that spreads throughout the body. The rash in this disease looks like a target on an archery (target lesion), and usually appears on the back of the hands and upper legs, then spreads to the body. This rash often appears on the face, palms, and neck, but it appears less often on the feet. Rashes can also appear on the lips and tongue.
For most cases of erythema multiforme, no special treatment is needed, because the rash will subside on its own within a few weeks without complications. However, treatment for this condition is tailored to the cause, such as oral acyclovir in patients with herpes simplex virus, and administration of antibiotics for Mycoplasma pneumoniae virus infection. If it is suspected to be triggered by drug use, then the use of drugs suspected of causing symptoms must be stopped immediately. There are several supporting treatments to relieve the symptoms, such as oral antihistamines or topical corticosteroids (topical) to overcome the itching caused. Oral pain can be treated with mouthwash containing local anesthetics and antiseptics to reduce pain and secondary infections. The use of oral corticosteroids to treat symptoms must be in accordance with the doctor's recommendations.
Severe erythema multiforme is divided into two types, namely Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). This condition can be triggered by an infection or allergic reaction to certain drugs or substances. In SJS, target lesions appear on the body, may be accompanied by coughing, fever, and blisters in the mouth, eyes and nose, vagina and anus mucosa. At TEN, symptoms are similar to SJS but the skin peels off and fester if infected. Both of these diseases are emergency conditions and can be life threatening if not treated immediately.
For recurrent erythema multiforme, usually treated with oral acyclovir continuously for 6 months. Consult with your doctor about the right medicines and dosages according to the conditions experienced.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
The main goal of treatment in erythema is to treat inflammation, prevent infection, and boost immunity. Until now there has been no accurate data regarding the effectiveness of alternative therapies compared to primary therapies. Complementary and alternative therapies to treat erythema can be a way to reduce inflammation, enhance the immune system, prevent infection, and improve nutrition. You need to consume antioxidants every day like those found in beta carotene, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, melatonin, zinc and fruits and vegetables that contain flavanoids. It is important to get a proper diagnosis from your doctor before using complementary and alternative therapies. Not all therapies of this type are suitable for everyone. And remember, alternative therapies are not the first choice in the treatment of erythema cases in general.
For those of you who suspect erythema, it is advisable to immediately visit a doctor to get the diagnosis and the right treatment.
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