Annular erythema of infancy explained

Specialty:	Dermatology

Annular erythema of infancy (AEI) consists of self-limited eruptions of erythematous, annular to polycyclic patches and plaques. It is an idiopathic figurate erythema.^[1] Over several days, a single lesion disappears without leaving behind any scale or hyperpigmentation. Mostly affecting the trunk, face, and extremities, this rash has no symptoms. The diagnosis of AEI is made through a combination of histopathologic and clinical examinations.^[2] The disease first manifests in infancy, and if treatment is not received, the periodic eruptions usually stop after the first year of life.^[3]

Signs and symptoms

Urticarial papules or slowly growing, raised-bordered annular or circinate erythematous plaques are found upon physical examination. Lesions are located on the face, trunk, and extremities, and the condition is asymptomatic. Individual lesions heal in a few days however, new ones keep coming up until the skin fully clears up, which happens at about a year of age. At that point, the skin looks completely normal.^[4]

Causes

Although the exact cause of AEI is unknown, a hypersensitivity reaction to an unidentified antigen is believed to be involved.^[2]

Diagnosis

Histologic findings include perivascular lymphocyte infiltrates and either neutrophils or eosinophils; they are nonspecific.^[1]

See also

• List of cutaneous conditions
• Erythema annulare centrifugum

Further reading

• S . Ly . M . Guram . N . Zoumberos . J . Kincannon . MS . Evans . Annular erythema of infancy: A rare and challenging diagnosis . Pediatric Dermatology . 2023 . Pediatr Dermatol . 40 . 4 . 681–687 . 1525-1470 . 36599189 . 10.1111/pde.15238 . 255462417 . December 30, 2023 . none.
• Palit . Aparna . Inamadar . Arun C. . Annular, erythematous skin lesions in a neonate . Indian Dermatology Online Journal . 2012 . Wolters Kluwer -- Medknow Publications . 3 . 1 . 45–47 . 23130263 . 10.4103/2229-5178.93504 . free . 3481934 . none.

Notes and References

1. Peterson Jr . A O . Jarratt . M . Annular erythema of infancy . Archives of Dermatology . March 1981 . 117 . 3 . 145–148 . 10.1001/archderm.1981.01650030023012 . 7212726 . 30 December 2023 . JAMA.
2. Kingsley . Jacob T. . Lee . Erica B. . Adams . Jennifer L. . A case of annular erythema of infancy accompanied by elevated tryptase . Pediatric Dermatology . 39 . 5 . 2022 . 0736-8046 . 35859272 . 9795958 . 10.1111/pde.15037 . 748–751.
3. KA . Arnold . J . Gao . SL . Stein . A review of cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions in infants: From common to concerning . Pediatric Dermatology . 2019 . Pediatr Dermatol . 36 . 3 . 274–282 . 1525-1470 . 31025427 . 10.1111/pde.13827 . free. 7167752 .
4. Annular Erythema of Infancy . Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas (English Edition) . Elsevier Doyma . 101 . 6 . January 1, 2010 . 1578-2190 . 10.1016/S1578-2190(10)70832-5 . 473–484 . December 30, 2023 . Toledo-Alberola . F. . Betlloch-Mas . I. . 20738966 . free .