erythema

American  

[er-uh-thee-muh] / ˌɛr əˈθi mə /

noun

Pathology.

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

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erythema British  

/ ˌɛrɪˈθiːmətəs, ˌɛrɪθɪˈmætɪk, ˌɛrɪˈθiːmə /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• erythemal adjective
• erythematic adjective
• erythematous adjective
• erythemic adjective

Etymology

Origin of erythema

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

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 • Jul. 20, 2022

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 • Mar. 3, 2021

There is no specific treatment for the erythema, but even without a physician's care practically all the victims recover.

From Time Magazine Archive

Dr. Enright decided that it was erythema infectiosum, literally, "infectious blushing," also called fifth disease.*

From Time Magazine Archive

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

From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling