Do you know what diseases cause 'phantom erythema'?

 

Eczema, where red spots are enlarged like circles, may be 'phantom erythema'. Erythema phantom is a symptom, not a disease, and various diseases may be hidden behind the symptoms. Erythema phantom may go away spontaneously with any treatment. However, it is also characteristic that pigmentation often remains after the red light disappears. It is important to see a doctor as soon as possible before symptoms become severe. This time, I will explain what kind of symptom is phantom erythema, including the cause and treatment.

What is phantom erythema?

What kind of disease is erythema phantom?

Erythema phantom is the name of the symptom, not the disease. At first, only round red spots appear, but it is characterized by gradually expanding eczema like a ring. Erythema annular spreads in a circular shape while the central part gradually heals and spreads as an annular ring. Erythema phantom may be lurking in the background with a collagen disease or malignant tumor called Shay Glen's syndrome.

Is all round red eczema called erythema annular?

Among the diseases that cause circular red eczema, the following are considered to be distinguished from erythema annular because each disease name is attached.

• psoriasis
• rush
• urticaria polymorphic erythema
• ringworm of the body
• flat moss line
• phantom granuloma

phantom erythema symptoms

Please tell me the symptoms of phantom erythema.

In annular erythema, an easy-to-understand red spot on the border is enlarged in a circle. The red spot looks pale in color at the center, while the red color in the outer part is strong and rises like a levee. A rough thing is sometimes attached to the border of the spot.

Do you have any subjective symptoms such as pain or itching?

Itching may occur, but is often asymptomatic.

Is there any natural healing?

Symptoms may disappear spontaneously after two weeks to several months. However, it often leaves behind pigmentation after the red light disappears.

Causes of phantom erythema

Please tell me the cause of the phantom erythema.

Most often, it is an annular erythema of unknown etiology called 'central annular erythema'. Efferent annular erythema is a recurrent disease that often occurs during the changing seasons of spring and autumn. Annular erythema other than efferent annular erythema is very rare, but symptoms may appear due to the following diseases.

• visceral disease
• malignant tumor
• infectious disease
• Collagen disease (such as Shay Glen's syndrome or systemic erythematosus)
• tick bite

Scheglen's Syndrome

What is Shay Glen's Syndrome that causes erythema phantom?

Segren's syndrome is a disease classified as an 'autoimmune disease' that causes an excessive immune response to one's own body. It is characterized by dryness of the eyes and mouth as the lacrimal glands that secrete tears and the salivary glands that secrete saliva become targets of the immune response. Symptoms sometimes appear not only in the eyes and mouth, but also in organs throughout the body.

The peak age of onset is in their 50s, and the male to female ratio is 1:17, which is a common disease among women. Genetic factors, environmental factors such as viral infection, abnormal immune function, and the influence of female hormones are believed to be the cause.

systemic erythematodes

What is systemic erythematosus that causes erythema phantom?

Systemic erythematodes is also classified as an autoimmune disorder, similar to Shay Glen's syndrome. If it is normal, an abnormality occurs in the immune system that protects the body from bacteria and viruses, and it attacks its own body. As a result, inflammatory symptoms such as fever and general malaise and various symptoms appear in organs such as joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, and central nervous system.

It is known that the male to female ratio is 1:9, so it is a common disease among women, especially in women between the ages of 20 and 40. The cause of the disease is still unknown.

Examination subject of phantom erythema

What department should I see if I suspect erythema phantom?

First of all, see a dermatologist. In dermatology, it is possible to treat each patient's background while observing the systemic condition through skin symptoms. Collagen disease, which can cause erythema phantom, is a systemic disease, but there are also many symptoms that dermatology is the center of treatment.

phantom erythema test

What tests are performed in the examination of phantom erythema?

Questionnaires, examinations, palpation, and blood tests are performed to investigate the cause of erythema annular. After the cause of the disease is identified, a treatment policy is determined. Diseases with symptoms similar to erythema phantom include the following, and it is important to differentiate them from these diseases in the examination.

• Erythema polymorphic exudative
• erythema nodosum
• hives
• contact dermatitis

phantom erythema treatment

What is the treatment for erythema phantom?

Treatment is mainly steroids and antiallergic drugs. Mild phantom erythema without itching symptoms is often improved with steroids and antiallergic medications. If you have itching and the eczema is getting bigger, you may be able to use a small amount of steroid pills.

steroid topical therapy

Please tell me about steroids.

Steroids have the ability to suppress the immune response. By suppressing the excessive immune response that is the cause of eczema, you can expect an effect on erythema phantom.

Steroid-applied drugs can be divided into the following five stages in order from the strongest to the most effective.

1. Strong Guest (strongest)
2. Very Strong (very strong)
3. strong (strong)
4. medium (normal)
5. Weak (weak)

As a method of selecting the steroid to be used, the most effective type is first used to improve symptoms in a short period of time. After that, while checking the symptoms, 'step-down therapy', which gradually switches to a weak type, has become mainstream. It is also important to classify the strength of the drug according to which part of the body the symptoms are present.

Are there any precautions I should take while using steroid topical medications?

After long-term use, side effects such as atrophy and hardening of the skin have also been reported. Avoid using it at your own discretion and follow the directions of use instructed by your doctor. Also, using steroids on purulent areas of the skin can make symptoms worse. If suppuration symptoms appear during treatment, consult your doctor as soon as possible to determine how to respond.

Anti-allergic oral therapy

Please tell me about the anti-allergic medications.

As an anti-allergic agent, 'antihistamines' are used. Antihistamines work against erythema phantom by suppressing the allergic reaction that causes eczema. Antihistamines are divided into first and second generation. The second-generation antihistamines have fewer side effects compared to the first-generation, and they are used frequently because of their excellent lasting and therapeutic effects.

Are there any precautions I should take while taking antihistamines?

Antihistamines are known to be prone to side effects of drowsiness, and some are cautioned not to drive a car while taking them.

In addition, drowsiness, which is a side effect, is more likely to come out strongly as the ingredients that cause drowsiness overlap. Therefore, caution is required when using in combination with commercially available cold medicines, rhinitis medicines, cough medicines, and motion sickness medicines. If you want to use a commercially available drug during treatment with an antihistamine, consult with a pharmacist or registered seller before using it.

steroid oral therapy

Please tell me about taking steroids.

There are various types of steroids, such as oral medicine, injection, topical medicine, and inhalation medicine, but if the symptoms are strong, oral medicine is used. By suppressing the excessive immune response that causes eczema from the inside of the body, the effect on erythema phantom can be expected.

Are there any precautions I should take while taking steroid pills?

Compared to topical drugs, caution is required for systemic side effects. However, side effects that require attention depend on how much you drink and how long you drink. It is known that there is little concern about side effects even when used in large quantities if the period of taking is short.

Does using steroids cure erythema phantom?

If the symptoms do not improve even with steroids or oral medications, it is possible that you have a medical disease. For skin symptoms, treatment is continued at the dermatology department, and each specialist conducts a thorough systemic investigation for complications and diseases.

organize

Annular erythema causing circular red eczema is a symptom name, not a disease name. Although the cause is often unknown, there is a possibility that serious diseases such as Shay Glen's syndrome or systemic erythematosus may be hidden. Symptoms may go away on their own, but sometimes leave a pigmentation behind. It can be treated with steroids and antiallergic drugs, so if you have symptoms of concern, see a dermatologist as soon as possible. Because annular erythema may have a collagen disease or malignant tumor hiding in the background, it is recommended to visit a dermatologist as soon as possible to see a doctor if you have symptoms that might suggest phantom erythema.