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erythema

erythema

4 9.5
Redness of the skin caused by widened blood vessels, often from sunburn or irritation
  • noun
  • /ˌɛrɪˈθimə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : eritema
  • After a few hours in the sun, she noticed erythema on her shoulders and back.
  • skin erythema
  • erythema and edema
  • swelling and erythema

And so red spots we call post inflammatory erythema PIE, and brown spots we call post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Examples

  • The patient experienced no further progression of her neurologic symptoms, and her facial edema and erythema abated.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Within the next 24 hours, the patient developed erythema over his left cheek.

    Academic text (1995)
  • There were 14 instances of erythema at the skin exit site (col. D).

    Academic text (2001)
  • Clinically, intensity and size of skin erythema have been used as indicators of tissue damage.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Soft-tissue swelling and erythema were noted on the left side of the face in the area surrounding the eye.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Brimonidine gel is the first of its kind for the treatment of persistent facial erythema.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Placebo recipients had mild to moderate erythema of perioral skin within 24 hours.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The most obvious and prominent feature noticed in rosacea is erythema (redness).

    Academic text (2015)
  • Periorbital swelling and erythema of the left infraorbital area and cheek were also observed.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Local reactions specifically noted included erythema, tenderness, induration, warmth, subcutaneous nodules, and axillary adenopathy.

    Academic text (2000)

Synonyms

redness
vserythema
11 3.7

Skin becomes red and often painful after injury or irritation

focuses on blood vessel widening as the cause of the skin color change
red blotch
vserythema
1 4.4

A red uneven mark on the skin that often comes from skin irritation or a rash

is diffuse vascular redness rather than a single irregular patch
rubor
vserythema
  • Specialized
9.9

Redness of the skin and nearby tissue that shows after injury or infection

is a clinical term focusing on vessel dilation causing skin redness
efflorescence
vserythema
  • Specialized
9.9

A red skin rash that appears as a sign of illness

is pure vascular redness without forming an eruption or rash

Compounds

erythema multiforme
  • Specialized
9.2

A skin reaction that causes red, target-shaped spots often after an infection or medicine

erythema nodosum
  • Specialized
9.3

A skin condition with painful red lumps on the shins or lower legs often caused by infection

9.7

Painful red lumps on the skin that happen in people with leprosy

erythema solare
  • Specialized
9.9

Redness of the skin after too much sun

How Red

erythema
  • Specialized
4 9.5
pinkness
1 1.0
paleness
3 4.3

Surface Forms

erythema singular
erythemas plural

Morphology

erythema = eryth + ema

The element 'eryth-' is a Greek combining form meaning 'red' that is not a standalone English word, so an average B1 learner cannot reliably infer 'abnormal redness' from the parts.

Etymology

Erythema comes from the Greek root erythros, which means 'red'. So erythema is the word doctors use for the red colour of the skin, as in sunburn or inflammation.