Figurate erythema

T. Colcott Fox (1849-1916) first introduced the term "figurative erythema" in 1889.

The term "figured erythema" refers to an etiologically different group of erythematous skin diseases (reddening of the skin is a defining mophological phenomenon) characterized by arcuate, ring-shaped, garland-shaped or polycyclic, centrifugally growing formations.

Figured erythema are only characterized by their morphological pattern (macro-pattern). Although some erythema are described as entities and their nomenclature is retained for historical reasons, it is more of a polyetiologic reaction pattern. Nevertheless, the recognition of figured or annular formations in a skin disease is helpful as a diagnostic evaluation/assignment can be made visually.

The clinical pictures in which figured erythema occurs include:

• Erythema anulare centrifugum(erythema gyratum perstans)
• Erythema gyratum repens
• Erythema necroticans migrans
• Erythema chronicum migrans
• Erythema anulare rheumaticum
• Pizin infections of the skin
• Purpura pigmentosa progressiva
• Purpura anularis teleangiectodes
• Lichen planus anularis
• Urticaria circinata
• Eosinophilic anular erythema
• Erythema anulare rheumaticum
• Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus
• Sjögren's syndrome (annular and circinar formations)
• Erythema annulare centrifugum-like psoriasis
• Lymphomas of the skin

• Neutrophilic figured erythema in childhood

Anular or polycyclic skin patterns are also observed in other clinical pictures without these being classified as anular erythema. This applies, for example, to:

• Necrobiosis lipoidica
• Cutaneous sarcoidosis
• Psoriasis, erythema anulare centrifugum-like
• Lichen planus anularis
• Tinea corporis
• Actinic porokeratosis