Erythema marginatum

Erythema marginatum
Painting of a leg with erythema marginatum
SpecialtyDermatology Edit this on Wikidata

Erythema marginatum (also known as chicken wire erythema)[1] is an acquired skin condition which primarily affects the arms, trunk, and legs.[2] It is a type of erythema (redness of the skin or mucous membranes) characterised by bright pink or red circular lesions which have sharply-defined borders and faint central clearing. The lesions typically range from 3 to 10 cm in size, and are distributed symmetrically over the torso and inner surfaces of the limbs and extensor surfaces.[3] The lesions last between one and four weeks but have been known to be present on patients for as long as several months.[4]

The condition was first reported in 1816 by Jean Cruveilhier and is thought to be linked to other skin conditions such as urticaria and systemic lupus erythematosus.

An association with bradykinin has been proposed in the case of hereditary angioedema.[5]

  1. ^ Bygum, Anette; Broesby-Olsen, Sigurd (March 2011). "Rapid resolution of erythema marginatum after icatibant in acquired angioedema". Acta dermato-venereologica. 91 (2): 185–186. doi:10.2340/00015555-1055. ISSN 1651-2057.
  2. ^ Hinzey, E (June 2023). Arredondo M (ed.). "Erythema Marginatum". Patient Education Reference Center (PERC).
  3. ^ "erythema marginatum" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  4. ^ Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. p. 281. ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.
  5. ^ Starr JC, Brasher GW, Rao A, Posey D (October 2004). "Erythema marginatum and hereditary angioedema". South. Med. J. 97 (10): 948–50. doi:10.1097/01.SMJ.0000140850.22535.FA. PMID 15558919. S2CID 38676096.