title: Erythromycin as a Safe and Effective Treatment Option for Erythema Annulare Centrifugum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC) is an inflammatory dermatosis with unknown etiology. It is usually self-limited, but chronic disease may be difficult to treat. We observed incidentally the therapeutic effect of erythromycin for EAC among patients taking erythromycin for other diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the treatment response of erythromycin for EAC.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the study period, from July 2007 to February 2011, all patients with EAC were assigned to erythromycin stearate tablet 1000 mg per day for two weeks. EAC was diagnosed by a constellation of clinical and pathological findings. The efficacy (before and after the treatment) was assessed clinically by one dermatologist and photographically by two blinded dermatologists. Secondary outcomes included adverse drug effects and recurrence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight patients were enrolled in this study. Most patients had chronic relapsing disease with poor response to previous treatment. All the patients showed rapid response with profound reduction in the size of lesion and erythema two weeks after initiation of erythromycin treatment. The response was so obvious and complete that a coincidental response was less likely. Three patients had recurrence of disease and they tended to have more extensive lesions. Readministration of erythromycin was effective. All patients tolerated the treatment well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study documented erythromycin as a safe and cost-effective treatment for EAC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Fu-Chen
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shang-Hong
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wei-Ming
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Wu
keywords: Erythema annulare centrifugum; erythromycin; treatment