erythema nodosum
Painful shin bumps
Erythema nodosum is an inflammatory skin condition marked by tender red or purple nodules, typically appearing on the shins.
The nodules develop when fat cells beneath the skin become inflamed.
It often signals an underlying condition—infections, autoimmune disorders, reactions to medications—or may arise without identifiable cause.
The nodules usually resolve within weeks.
Soft or sore
- painfulCausing hurt or ache
- warmModerately heated, or friendly
- swollenAbnormally enlarged
- achyMildly, persistently painful
sensitive · sore · fever · fatigue · malaise · joint pain · leg pain · bilateral
Granulomatous inflammatory disorder
- tuberculosisMycobacterial lung disease
- Crohn's diseaseChronic intestinal inflammation disorder
- ulcerative colitisInflammatory bowel condition with sores
- pregnancyCarrying developing offspring
oral contraceptives · estrogen therapy · leprosy · histoplasmosis · chlamydia · sulfonamides · infections · inflammatory bowel disease
Below the skin
- indurationAbnormal tissue firmness
- raisedLifted higher up
- bumpSlight collision or protrusion
- lumpShapeless solid mass
bilateral · palpable · firm · dome-shaped · deep-seated · skin lesions
Slightly crimson in hue
- purplishSomewhat violet in color
- discolorationAltered surface pigmentation
- mottledHaving irregular color patches
- duskyPartially shadowed, darkish
fading · yellow-green · resolving · bilateral · shiny
Over-the-counter pain class
- restCessation of activity
- elevationHeight above reference point
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- potassium iodideCrystalline thyroid-shielding compound
corticosteroids · colchicine · supportive care · bed rest · analgesics · anti-inflammatories · leg elevation · underlying cause
Tissue sample for diagnosis
- histopathologyDisease study through tissue
- chest x-rayRadiographic image of torso
- CBCCanada's public broadcaster
- differential diagnosisSystematic comparison of possible conditions
tender
Soft or sore
achy · sensitive · sore · fever · fatigue · malaise · joint pain · leg pain · bilateral · symmetrical
sarcoidosis
Granulomatous inflammatory disorder
- tuberculosisMycobacterial lung disease
- Crohn's diseaseChronic intestinal inflammation disorder
- ulcerative colitisInflammatory bowel condition with sores
pregnancy · oral contraceptives · estrogen therapy · leprosy · histoplasmosis · chlamydia · sulfonamides · infections · inflammatory bowel disease · hormonal
subcutaneous
Below the skin
- indurationAbnormal tissue firmness
- raisedLifted higher up
- bumpSlight collision or protrusion
lump · bilateral · palpable · firm · dome-shaped · deep-seated · skin lesions
reddish
Slightly crimson in hue
- purplishSomewhat violet in color
- discolorationAltered surface pigmentation
- mottledHaving irregular color patches
dusky · fading · yellow-green · resolving · bilateral · shiny
NSAIDs
Over-the-counter pain class
- restCessation of activity
- elevationHeight above reference point
- compressionForcing into smaller space
potassium iodide · corticosteroids · colchicine · supportive care · bed rest · analgesics · anti-inflammatories · leg elevation · underlying cause · prednisone
biopsy
Tissue sample for diagnosis
- histopathologyDisease study through tissue
- chest x-rayRadiographic image of torso
- CBCCanada's public broadcaster
differential diagnosis · throat culture · workup · clinical diagnosis
- skin conditionseczema, psoriasis, hives, dermatitis, rash
- Leprosyleprosy, Hansen's disease, mycobacterium, bacillus, bacilli
- IBDulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, proctitis