Definition – what is skin sarcoidosis?
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that can affect various organs. Sarcoidosis can be acute or chronic. The lungs are most frequently affected.
In addition, the skin is also frequently affected, accounting for about 30%. Sarcoidosis of the skin is accompanied by characteristic skin changes, the so-called erythema nodosum. The affected persons suffer from initially red, later bluish nodules under the skin.
Symptoms of Sarcoidosis of the skin
In the acute form of sarcoidosis of the skin, those affected suffer from erythema nodosum. The term erythema means inflammatory redness and the word nodosum describes the nodular skin change. The erythema nodosum typically consists of nodules under the skin that are initially reddish in color and later turn bluish.
The nodules can be large or small and have a diameter of 1 to 10 centimeters. The nodular changes are often found on the face, arms, legs, trunk and mucous membranes. The most frequent localization is in the area of the extensor sides of the lower legs.
In the acute form of sarcoidosis, arthritis and bihilary lymphadenopathy are frequently present in addition to the erythema nodosum of the skin. The chronic form of sarcoidosis of the skin is also accompanied by nodular skin changes. The skin can be large-nodular, small-nodular, subcutaneously nodular or ring-shaped.
The large-nodular changes are typically accompanied by telangiectasias, visible bluish vascular dilatations. If erythema occurs especially in the face, this is called lupus pernio. This is where reddish-blue, shiny nodules can be seen.
These are mainly found on the nose, cheeks and earlobes. Itching is a misperception of the skin, which causes the desire to scratch and rub. Itching is not a classic symptom of sarcoidosis of the skin.
However, those affected may suffer from severe itching all over the body. Particularly in the early stages of sarcoidosis or chronic sarcoidosis, skin changes in the area of old scars can occur. Initially, yellowish-reddish and in the course of time brownish-reddish changes appear in the area of old scars.
Sarcoidosis of the skin is accompanied by various possible skin changes. The acute form of sarcoidosis shows itself with an erythema nodosum, which often disappears after a few months. The erythema nodosum consists of nodular changes of the skin, which are usually initially reddish in color and painful under pressure.
There are both large and small nodular forms in chronic skin sarcoidosis. In the course of the disease, the small-nodular changes of the skin often lead to hyperpigmentation of the affected areas and the development of telangiectasia. Teleangiectasias are vascular dilatations that are visible bluish under the skin surface.
All articles in this series:
