Erythema nodosum
Tender shin nodules from a septal panniculitis. The cause list (streptococcus, sarcoidosis and Löfgren syndrome, IBD, TB, drugs, pregnancy), the core workup every patient needs, when to biopsy, look-alikes such as erythema induratum, and NSAID-first management.
Tier 2Condition
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- The commonest panniculitis: a septal panniculitis that is a hypersensitivity reaction to many triggers.
- Tender, warm, red nodules on both anterior shins, 1 to 5 cm, which bruise as they fade and never ulcerate or scar.
- Peaks in women aged 20 to 45 (female to male about 4:1).
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Sources
- Therapeutic Guidelines: DermatologyAU/NZTherapeutic Guidelines Limited, eTG complete
- Pérez-Garza DM, Chavez-Alvarez S, Ocampo-Candiani J, Gomez-Flores M. Erythema nodosum: a practical approach and diagnostic algorithm. Am J Clin Dermatol 2021;22:367-378American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2021
- Grunewald J, Grutters JC, Arkema EV, Saketkoo LA, Moller DR, Müller-Quernheim J. Sarcoidosis. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2019;5:45Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 2019
- Grunewald J, Eklund A. Löfgren's syndrome: human leukocyte antigen strongly influences the disease course. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009;179:307-312American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2009
- Tuberculosis: CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health UnitsAU/NZCommunicable Diseases Network Australia, accessed November 2026
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
What changed
- 14 November 2026 Turnstile bot check on sign-in and signed-out feedback