Skin rashes can be quite diverse in appearance. Some of them are harmless. Others signal a serious pathology in the body.
One of the easily recognizable ailments is erythema nodosum on the legs. Does this rash belong to harmless or is it fraught with serious pathology? The answer to this question lies in the causes of the disease.
General information
Erythema nodosum (photos showing a visual manifestation of the ailment are below) are inflammation of the skin and adipose tissues. As a result, red nodules form on the surface. Their size can vary from the diameter of the cherry to the corresponding parameters of the orange. This phenomenon can be a symptom of a variety of ailments. But often the true nature of the disease cannot be established. Therefore, erythema nodosum on the legs is considered in most cases as an independent ailment.
Disease characteristics
Rashes on the surface of the skin are nodules of red color. They are quite painful. Even a slight touch is fraught with increased discomfort. It clearly demonstrates how erythema nodosum is manifested, photo. As a rule, rashes rise slightly above the surface of the skin.
Nodules are localized mainly on the front surface of the legs, on the knees, hips. Extremely rarely, rashes can be found on the hands, face or neck.
The initial stage is characterized by bright red rashes. The further course of the disease is characterized by a change in the shade of the neoplasms. Nodules acquire a purple color, which subsequently changes to brown.
As a rule, rashes persist on the surface of the skin from 5 to 10 days. Further, over 3-6 weeks, the nodules gradually pass.
The causes of the disease
As noted above, the source of the disease cannot always be accurately determined. The main reasons for which erythema nodosum occurs on the legs (for a photo of the characteristic manifestations, see the article) include tuberculosis intoxication and streptococcal infection.
Sometimes the disease is the initial symptom characteristic of the following diseases:
- fungal or bacterial infection;
- tuberculosis;
- intestinal inflammatory processes;
- syphilis;
- cancer (extremely rare);
- sarcoidosis;
- Behcet's disease.
Often, an ailment develops as a result of a reaction to the following groups of drugs:
- antibiotics
- sulfones;
- sulfonamides;
- oral contraceptives.
It is known that some factors contribute to the development of the disease. These include:
- prolonged exposure to cold on the body;
- malfunctions of the endocrine system;
- hypovitaminosis (an excess of vitamins C and P);
- stagnation in the limbs.
Symptomatology
The most characteristic sign of the disease is nodules. Initially, these seals are solid, flat, hot to the touch. Other signs of erythema nodosum are sometimes accompanied. Symptoms may be as follows:
- general malaise;
- redness;
- joint pain
- swelling of the legs;
- skin irritation.
Forms
There are two varieties of this ailment:
- Acute erythema nodosum. This form is often accompanied by a strong increase in temperature. It is characterized by the presence of pain in the joints, muscles. Such rashes are characteristic of a disease manifesting in childhood. Sometimes the occurrence of an ailment is a reaction of the body to tuberculosis.
- Chronic erythema nodosum. This is a migratory form. It is characterized by a long subacute course with frequent relapses. Nodes have slightly blurry borders. This form is found mainly in women of advanced and middle age, who have vascular or allergic ailments. Another prerequisite for the development of the disease is the presence of a chronic infection in the body.
Features of the disease in children
The disease is more common in girls who have reached the age of six. Rashes on the surface of the skin occur, usually in cold weather. Symptoms of the disease appear on the sixth day.
Erythema nodosum in children is characterized by general malaise, moods. There is pain in the joints and in the abdomen. Hot, rather painful nodes appear on the body.
Often, the ailment is combined with damage to the joints. In this case, the latter swell, redness appears, pain during movement. Inflammation in the joints disappears after a few days, but the pain remains for some time.
Erythema nodosum on the legs is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. Often prescribed drugs such as Aspirin, Indomethacin, Brufen. Local warming compresses are applied to the affected areas . For them, heparin ointment, a solution of ichthyol is used. At the same time, it is very important to notify the doctor about the illness of the child. It should be remembered that self-treatment of the disease is quite dangerous.
Features of the treatment of pregnant women
The disease does not affect the fetus at all. However, erythema nodosum can be dangerous for a pregnant woman. The consequences of the disease sometimes manifest as complications on the heart.
If there are no exacerbations, the patient is prescribed local treatment. The affected areas are lubricated with Indovasin Ointment. Inside take the drug "Curantyl". In small doses, the medication "Paracetamol" is prescribed. To reduce inflammatory processes, the minimum dosage of Aspirin is recommended. The treatment includes Deep Relief ointment. Diclofenac is prescribed in injections.
An important condition for treatment during pregnancy is full compliance with the correct mode of rest and work. It is necessary to minimize the load on the lower extremities, however, it cannot be completely excluded, because the vessels of the extremities should be constantly in good shape.
Treatment
A patient who comes to the doctor with unpleasant symptoms will be prescribed an X-ray examination of the lungs. This analysis will make it possible to exclude sarcoidosis and tuberculosis. A smear is taken for the presence of streptococcus. To exclude various infections, various blood tests are performed.
How to treat erythema nodosum? Initially, you should get rid of negative thoughts and restore peace of mind. After all, they are the source of destruction of the whole organism. It is very important to eat right, to lead a healthy lifestyle. It is recommended to cleanse the body of toxins. Particular attention should be paid to the intestines and liver. You can periodically starve or use one of the diets for weight loss. The most recommended are the following: vegetable, berry, buckwheat, kefir, fruit.
As a rule, the doctor prescribes the following for the treatment of an ailment:
- antipyretic drugs;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nimesil, Indomethacin, Ibuprofen);
- antibiotics (if an infectious process is detected);
- vitamins C, P;
- hormones (in case of an allergic process);
- autohemotherapy;
- heparin ointment;
- plasmapheresis;
- compresses;
- wraps.
Treatment with folk remedies
Many amazing recipes can be learned from the healers. Traditional medicine will tell you many ways to get rid of such an ailment as erythema nodosum. Treatment with folk remedies is an auxiliary therapy. It should be combined with medication. In this case, the results will be much better.
Folk recipes:
- Grind arnica flowers. Pour boiling water (200 ml) in a thermos. Leave the infusion overnight. In the morning, the product should be filtered. Throughout the day, the infusion is taken for 1 tsp. at least five times.
- A choleretic agent has an excellent effect. They are made from berries and herbs. Melissa, lingonberry leaves, immortelle, birch, yarrow and mint, taken in equal parts, are brewed as follows: 1 tbsp. spoon of this collection to 0.5 liters of boiling water. About 15 minutes before a meal, they drink a third of a glass of medicinal infusion.
- To prepare an antiallergenic drug, you will need bittersweet nightshade, a series of knots, knotweed, and a golden rod. All ingredients are taken in equal proportions. Mix the components thoroughly. To make a decoction, you need 1 tsp. collection. It is poured with one glass of boiling water. The solution should be kept on low heat for two minutes. Within an hour, the product should be infused. Healing broth is used three times a day. It is advisable to apply it before meals.
- To prepare an effective tincture, you will need red elderberry. Ten grams of this component is poured with vodka. The last to take 0.5 liters. Infuse the mixture is recommended 40 days. After this period, the drug is ready. It should be taken once before bedtime. The dosage is calculated based on the weight of the patient. A patient with a body weight not exceeding 70 kg should take 20 drops of the drug. If the weight exceeds the specified, it is recommended to increase the dose to 30 drops. This tincture is advised to seize. For such purposes, black bread, grated with garlic or sprinkled with sunflower oil, is suitable. The course of taking this drug should last 1 month. For the next 30 days, you should take a break, and then resume treatment again.
- In the fight against the disease, baths have proven themselves excellently. For them you will need: willow and oak bark , walnut fruits , black elderberry and linden flowers, raspberry twigs, nightshade grass. If it is not possible to find all of the above components, it does not matter. Use the ingredients that happened to get it. Grind them thoroughly. Pour boiling water (1 liter) into one tablespoon of the prepared collection. Insist the resulting mixture for 15 minutes, after which pour the infusion into the bath. After stirring the water, lie in it. The duration of the procedure is a quarter of an hour.
Disease prognosis
If the disease is classified as independent, then it does not pose a threat to the body. At the same time, it is very important to timely treat all concomitant ailments, since they can be fraught with danger.
Another important nuance is the timely treatment of the disease. Unpleasant complications are fraught with neglected erythema nodosum. The consequences can be quite unpleasant. One of them is the transition of the disease into a chronic form.
Conclusion
Knotted erythema on the legs is a fairly common ailment. Its development, as a rule, is caused by sensitization of the vessels of the subcutaneous tissue. Often, pathology in the body is caused by infection or non-acceptance of certain medications. Sometimes these rashes can act as symptoms of a completely different ailment.
It is recommended not to self-medicate, but to go to the doctor for expert help.