Erythema ring-shaped

A chronic disease of a toxic-allergic or infectious nature is ring-shaped erythema. It is characterized by the formation on the skin of non-peeling spots, which tend to form foci of annular shape. More often men of young age are exposed to the disease.

The etiology of ring-shaped erythema remains unidentified. Toxico-allergic and infectious nature is confirmed by cases of the onset of the disease in the pathology of the stomach and intestines, foci of chronic infection (tonsillitis, sinusitis, adnexitis), immune disorders, dysproteinemia. There are hereditary forms of the disease.

Clinical picture

Ring-shaped erythema is characterized by the formation on the skin of the trunk, extremities of numerous edematous spots, which are coin-shaped and not slopes to peeling. They are edematous, pinkish or reddish in color, prone to fusion, eccentric growth. As a result of the latter, bizarre polycyclic figures, rings, garlands fringed with roll-like edematous edges of a dense consistence in the form of a cord embedded in the dermis are formed. Similar spotted annular formations can appear inside the foci. The central zones of the skin are somewhat sunken, slightly cyanotic. In some patients, nodular erythema can be atypical. In this case, purpurea, vesicular rashes, telangiectasias appear.

The disease is characterized by the absence of severe subjective disorders. Patients complain of burning and a slight itch. Ring-shaped erythema in children has more pronounced clinical symptoms. The disease has a paroxysmal course. Rashes disappear completely, but others replace them. However, after a few months the disease can spontaneously self-heal. Quite often there are recurrences of ring-shaped erythema.

Methods of research

To diagnose a skin biopsy is used, which helps to detect concomitant diseases of an infectious or toxic-allergic nature that provoke the appearance of foci. To exclude syphilitic lesions, the rash at which they are similar to annular erythema, a serological test is performed . A comprehensive clinico-laboratory examination is also performed to detect and treat pathology of internal organs.

Differential diagnosis

Ring-shaped erythema is not a fairly common diagnosis. Therefore, when a pathological rash is found, it is necessary to correctly diagnose, compare it with other skin diseases. Such diseases include toxicodermia, fungal skin diseases, other erythema (pink lichen, annular granuloma), leprosy, lupus erythematosus. The main methods that help in diagnosing are laboratory tests, skin biopsy.

Treatment

The principle of treatment of this disease is to eliminate the effects of factors that cause it (sinusitis, tonsillitis). Appointed hyposensitizing drugs (sodium thiosulfate, antihistamines, calcium preparations ), recommended hypoallergic diet, topically prescribed ointments, which contain glucocorticoids. For the treatment of concomitant infectious diseases, antibiotic therapy is used. Also, vitamins of groups A, E, B, immunostimulating therapy are prescribed.

Ring-shaped erythema has a favorable prognosis. Prevention of the disease consists in cleansing the foci in which there is a chronic infection, the normalization of the function of the stomach and intestines.