erythema

[ er-uh-thee-muh ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. abnormal redness of the skin due to local congestion, as in inflammation.

erythema

/ ˌɛrɪˈθiːmətəs; ˌɛrɪθɪˈmætɪk; ˌɛrɪˈθiːmə /

noun

1. pathol redness of the skin, usually occurring in patches, caused by irritation or injury to the tissue

Derived Forms

• erythematic, adjective

Other Words From

• er·y·the·mat·ic [er-, uh, -thi-, mat, -ik], er·y·them·a·tous [er-, uh, -, them, -, uh, -t, uh, s, ‑-, thee, -m, uh, ‑], er·y·the·mic er·y·the·mal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of erythema¹

First recorded in 1760–70; from New Latin, from Greek, equivalent to eryth(rós) “red” + -ēma noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of erythema¹

C18: from New Latin, from Greek eruthēma, from eruthros red

Example Sentences

Using the products or coming near them might cause erythema, a burn-like skin reaction, or photokeratitis, an eye injury that can cause severe pain, after just a few seconds of exposure, the F.D.A. said.

From New York Times

It can cause erythema, the reddening of the skin that’s most commonly associated with sunburn, and repeated exposure has even been tied to skin cancer, he says.

From The Verge

I once Googled “excessive blushing” and found out there’s a terrifying name for my condition: idiopathic craniofacial erythema.

From Literature

A tick carrying Lyme disease can infect a person and is usually spotted based on symptoms including fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans, the CDC reports.

From Fox News

In 1998, Celgene’s application was approved to treat erythema nodosum leprosum, a complication of leprosy, which is extremely rare in the United States.

From New York Times