Erythema marginatum is a rare skin rash that occurs with rheumatic fever. This type of fever is caused by streptococcus bacterial infection. It is characteristic rash to diagnose rheumatic fever. Erythema marginatum is also called as erythema annulare. The rash infection can be caused by drug allergy, chemical allergy or without any known reason. The term itself is connected with rheumatic fever.
Symptoms Of Erythema Marginatum :
The skin rash is marked by dark colored pink rings on the upper portion of the body and on the inner side of the limbs. It would either come and go for short while or stay for several months. When a person gets rheumatic fever the skin develops reddish patches that are disk shaped. These pink rings have elevated margins. The symptoms of rheumatic fever are not the same for all individuals. Usually it starts with strep throat infection along with mild fever.
For some people the joints become very rigid and painful and intense pain is felt on the knees and elbow region. The joint pain would also be seen migrating from one place to another. The affected joint become swollen and red and hence causes sharp pain. For some there may be inflammation on the heart and central nervous system. Extreme tiredness, chest pain, shortness of breath and palpitations occur in many people along with erythema marginatum.
The skin area becomes covered with painless nodules or raised edges which can be visibly seen on the body. In rare cases it can cause jerky movements on the hands and feet wherein the limbs move involuntarily. Series of circular patches is seen on the skin on the torso region and on the extremities. These rashes do not cause itching sensation unlike other skin rash. The rash would initially appear as a patch and further grows outward in circular fashion. Medium to large sized bumps with slightly protruding margins are observed on the skin. The rash turns reddish when the body is exposed to sunlight or even after a shower. You should immediately visit your doctor if your child has sore throat with rash like symptoms. Often erythema marginatum affects only children and not adults.