Erythema Nodosum:
Information for adults

Erythema nodosum can develop in persons of any age, sex, and ethnicity. Young adults are particularly susceptible to developing erythema nodosum. Moreover, women are 4 times more likely than men to be affected.

Approximately 30–50% of cases of erythema nodosum have no underlying cause. However, an associated medication, infection, or health condition may be found in the remainder of cases.

Erythema nodosum may develop in people on these medications:

• Birth control pills
• Estrogen pills
• Antibiotics (such as sulfonamides or penicillin)

Erythema nodosum may occur in persons with one of the following infections:

• Streptococcal infections (such as strep throat)
• Intestinal infections
• Tuberculosis
• Pneumonia (viral or bacterial)
• Fungal infections (such as coccidioidomycosis or histoplasmosis)

Erythema nodosum may be seen in individuals with one of these underlying medical conditions:

• Pregnancy
• Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease)
• Sarcoidosis
• Lymphoma or leukemia