Figurate erythema
| Figurate erythema | |
|---|---|
  | |
| Tinea capitis (top), erythema gyratum repent (bottom) | |
 | |
| Specialty | Dermatology |
| Symptoms | Multiple red wavy rings, concentric circles, and arcs, and are typically annular[1] |
| Types | Classic: erythema annulare centrifugum, erythema gyratum repens, erythema migrans, erythema marginatum[1] |
| Causes | Infectious, malignant, drug reactions[2] |
| Diagnostic method | Appearance, skin scrapings, skin biopsy[2] |
Figurate erythema describes a rash linked to various skin conditions, characterized by one or more red, wavy rings, concentric circles, or arcs, typically recognised as annular patterns.[1][3] The initial lesion is typically a slightly raised reddish bump which extends outwards and may have a trailing scale.[2] The lesions may be fixed, transient, or migratory.[2]
Four classic types have been reported as erythema annulare centrifugum, erythema gyratum repens, erythema migrans and erythema marginatum, though the pattern is seen in numerous other conditions.[4] Causes may also be divided into infectious, malignant, and drug reactions.[2] Distinguishing between the varying types may be easier by describing its location, how rapidly it expands, and the characteristics of its border.[1] Diagnosis is often by exclusion.[4] To confirm a diagnosis, a biopsy may be required.[1]
The term was first described by Thomas Fox in 1889.[5]
Classification
Traditionally four types are reported.[1]
| Name | Image | |
|---|---|---|
| Erythema annulare centrifugum | .jpg) |
|
| Erythema chronicum migrans |  |
|
| Erythema gyratum repens | .jpg) |
|
| Erythema marginatum | .jpg) |
Other types
Other types include urticaria and tinea corporis.[1] Causes may also be divided into infectious, malignant, and drug reactions.[2]
| Type | ||
|---|---|---|
| Infectious | Tinea corporis[1] | [2] |
| Malignant | List of skin conditions associated with internal cancer | [2] |
| Drug reactions | Fixed drug eruption | [2] |
Other images
-
Leprosy -
.jpg)
Tinea corporis -
.jpg)
Fixed drug eruption
See also
- List of reticulate skin patterns
- List of annular skin patterns
- List of linear skin patterns
- Blaschko's lines
See also
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 Bolognia, Jean L.; Schaffer, Julie V.; Duncan, Karynne O.; Ko, Christine (2022). "5. Figurate erythemas". Dermatology Essentials (2nd ed.). Elsevier. pp. 142–148. ISBN 978-0-323-70971-2. Archived from the original on 2023-08-08. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 James, William D.; Elston, Dirk; Treat, James R.; Rosenbach, Misha A.; Neuhaus, Isaac (2020). "7. Erythema and urticaria". Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology (13th ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier. p. 143-144. ISBN 978-0-323-54753-6.
- ↑ "Annular erythema". Primary Care Dermatology Society. Primary Care Dermatology Society. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Boehner, Alexander; Neuhauser, Ruth (28 May 2021). "Figurate erythemas – update and diagnostic approach". JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft. 19 (7): 963–972. doi:10.1111/ddg.14450. PMID 34046996.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ↑ Kazandjieva, Jana; Bogdanov, Georgi; Bogdanov, Ivan; Tsankov, Nikolai (1 May 2023). "Figurate annulare erythemas". Clinics in Dermatology. 41 (3): 368–375. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2023.07.005. ISSN 0738-081X. PMID 37433389.