er·y·the·ma / ˌerəˈ[unvoicedth]ēmə/ • n. Med. superficial reddening of the skin, usually in patches, as a result of injury or irritation causing dilatation of the blood capillaries.DERIVATIVES: er·y·the·mal / -məl/ adj.er·y·them·a·tous / -ˈ[unvoicedth]emətəs; -ˈ[unvoicedth]ēmətəs/ adj.

erythema From the Greek for ‘flush’ — redness of the skin, due to persistent engorgement of microscopic blood vessels. A descriptive term; not in itself a diagnosis. Sunburn, or sitting too close to an open fire, causes erythema; it surrounds a nettle or insect sting, or an inflamed wound. A rash, whether due to infectious disease, to allergy, or to drug reactions for example, is described as erythematous if blotches of redness are a feature. It is characteristic of such blotches that they can be emptied of their colour by pressure; this distinguishes them from actual bleeding into the skin.

Stuart Judge

erythema (e-ri-theem-ă) n. flushing of the skin due to dilatation of the blood capillaries in the dermis. e. ab igne a reticular pigmented rash on the lower legs or elsewhere caused by persistent exposure to radiant heat. e. infectiosum (fifth disease, slapped cheek syndrome) a common benign infectious viral disease of children, characterized by fever and a rash, first on the cheeks and later on the trunk and extremities, that disappears after several days. e. multiforme a condition characterized by so-called target lesions that may be recurrent and follow herpes simplex infection. e. nodosum a condition characterized by tender bruiselike swellings on the shins. It is often associated with streptococcal infection.

erythema inflammation of the skin. XVIII. — Gr. erúthēma, f. eruthaínein be red, f. eruthrós RED.