Erythema Nodosum Help - Identifying Trigger or Idiopathic
Looking for advice or similar experiences.
I’m currently dealing with my second episode of erythema nodosum (EN) in 17 years as diagnosed by my derm. The first time was in college, about 7 months after starting the birth control pill Yaz. Around that same time, I had mono and the flu, so my doctors felt one of those infections was the more likely trigger. The EN eventually resolved on its own, and I stayed on Yaz for many years afterward without any recurrence.
Recently, I restarted Yaz about 4 months ago and have developed a relatively mild EN flare. I’m also on a biologic medication for autoimmune arthritis and have been for years, although my arthritis is currently in medication-induced remission. My bloodwork has been normal except for a slightly elevated white blood cell count.
I asked my OB-GYN whether I should stop Yaz, and she advised waiting for now since my previous episode eventually resolved while I continued taking it. I’m also waiting to hear back from my rheumatologist.
For those who have experience with EN, do flares ever simply run their course and resolve without identifying or removing a specific trigger? Or is it usually necessary to find and eliminate the underlying cause? Since we don’t know what may be triggering mine, I’m hesitant to stop a medication that I’m otherwise tolerating well.
Thank you for any thoughts or experiences.