Types, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and More

Erythema is seen in almost every skin rash.

Erythemarefers toredness or discoloration of the skin.

Their causes, symptoms, and treatment differ.

Erythema

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Some types of erythema are mild and will clear up on their own.

Others will need medication or urgent medical attention.

Types of Erythema

Different conditions have erythema as part of their name.

Image of Annular Erythema

Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet New Zealand and © Waikato District Health Boardwww.dermnetnz.org2022

Each is unique its in symptoms and causes.

Different types of psoriasis lead to erythemic skin, includingplaque psoriasisand a rare punch in callederythrodermic psoriasis.

The severe damage to the skin due to erythrodermic psoriasis puts the body at risk for severe complications.

Depending on the severity of symptoms, hospitalization for treatment might be necessary.

It is often mild and will go away on its own.

It causes tender, red bumps.

Additional symptoms of erythema nodosum are fever, joint pain, andenlarged lymph nodesin the chest.

Erythema nodosum can be chronic and result in occasional recurrences, with or without an underlying cause.

Erythema Marginatum

Erythema marginatum is a skin rash that appears on the trunk and the limbs.

The rash appears round, has a pink center, and is surrounded by a raise red outline.

It can also appear in rings or have irregular and larger shapes.

Erythema marginatum is extremely rare.

It is not a skin condition, but rather a symptom of an underlying condition.

The erythema toxicum rash appears as a combination of flat patches.

Some infants may experience tiny bumps, some of which are pus filled.

Patches and bumps will appear on theface, trunk, arms, and legs.

The palms of the hands and soles of the feet are usually not affected.

It is unknown what causes erythema toxicum.

Risk factors might include higher birth weight, greater gestational age, higher maternal age, and vaginal delivery.

It can also affect adults and people who are pregnant.

It can last up to three weeks.

Outbreaks of fifth disease are common in late winter and early spring.

If the rash is itchy, a doctor can prescribe medicine to ease discomfort.

Fifth disease can be monitored in children who have weakened immune systems.

It is sometimes heredity, but it can also be triggered by another health condition.

Also called Lanes disease, it is rarely harmful.

The redness or discoloration triggered by palmar erythema affects both hands.

It causes the palms to be warm, but it is neither itchy nor painful.

The cause of redness or discoloration in palmar erythema is dilated capillaries.

The severity depends on how severe the underlying disease is.

Primary palmar erythema is sometimes heredity.It might also be the result of pregnancy or hormone issues.

It causes a fishnet-like pattern ofhyperpigmentation(skin discoloration).

Treatment for erythema ab igne starts with discontinuing contact with the source of the rash.

If symptoms are severe and include pain and itch, topical treatments might be prescribed.

The EAC skin rash is otherwise asymptomatic, although some people experience itching.

EAC usually clears on its own when there is no underlying condition.

It might take weeks or months, and it might even recur over months and years.

There is no proven treatment, although doctors prescribetopical steroidsto manage itching.

Other treatments might include oral antibiotics,hyaluronic acid, and calcipotriol, a topical vitamin D derivative.

For infections, the rash should clear up once the infection clears.

Its onset and severity are linked to the winter months.

KWE is sometimes called Oudtshoorn skin or Oudtshoorn disease.

KWE rash causes the skin to appear a patchy red.

The skin of the palms and soles appears thickened, and there might be dry blisters and peeling.

The shedding of skin comes out in thick peels.

Some people with KWE might also experience large circular red patches on the arms and legs.

KWE is an inherited condition that affects males and females equally.

It is treated mainly withsystemic steroids(anti-inflammatory agents).

Other treatments include medicines to help control sweating and itching.

Other Kinds of Erythema

There are numerous types of erythema in addition to those described.

Certain types of erythema might cause blisters that burst and painful sores.

Some underlying causes of erythema are harmless and limited to skin symptoms.

Outlined below are symptoms for erythema that cause systemic symptoms and severe skin rash.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease and is also considered anautoimmune skin disease.

That means your immune system is attacking your body instead of protecting it.

Erythrodermic psoriasis often causes severely itchy and painful skin.

This is because it disrupts normal body temperature and fluid balance.

Erythema multiforme can either be minor or major.

They can also appear on the eyes and genitals.

Erythema Diagnosis

Your healthcare professional will take your medical history and your report of symptoms.

A physical examination will be done.

Different types of erythema vary in how and where they appear, including their appearance on various skin tones.

Some types, like erythema multiforme, are easily identifiable just by how they appear on the skin.

Other types of erythema will require additional testing, including bloodwork and biopsy.

In a biopsy, some of the affected skin tissue is removed to be examined under a microscope.

They will clear up on their own over weeks or months.

In cases where treatment is needed, your doctor will focus treatment on the punch in and underlying cause.

If that cause is abacterial infection, then it is treated with antibiotics.

This might include:

Summary

Erythema refers to redness or discoloration of the skin.

It triggers when the blood capillaries near the surface of the skin are congested, dilated, or inflamed.

Some conditions have erythema as part of their names.

Treatment will depend on the cause.

Sometimes erythema will clear up on its own, but other times it will need medication.

It is always a good idea to be vigilant when it comes to your skin.

You should inspect skin regularly and report any unusual changes to your healthcare professional.

If you are diagnosed with a throw in of erythema, you should take precautions to protect your skin.

This includes protecting yourself from the sun and using sunscreen when outdoors.

Avoid hot water and harsh skin products.

Pat your skin dry after bathing, and use gentle moisturizers on the skin.

Some types of erythema can cause severe redness and severe skin involvement.

This is usually the result of an underlying condition, and erythema improves once that condition is under control.

Primary palmar erythema is the exception, especially when the condition is inherited.

This symptom will recur later in life and continue to appear throughout a persons entire life.

However, some causes of erythema need medical treatment.

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