What Does It Mean to Have Erythema and Congestion in the Antrum?

Erythema is a skin condition in which the skin reddens in the form of the patch or a rash, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Antrum is a term used for a nearly closed cavity or chamber, but it is commonly used to describe the gastric antrum inside the stomach, states MedicineNet. Therefore, erythema of the antrum is redness that occurs in the gastric antrum.

Erythema is often accompanied by inflammation of the infected skin, according to the American Cancer Society. The gastric antrum is located toward the bottom of the stomach, near where the stomach empties into the intestine, so an inflamed antrum can create blockage leading to congestion.

A variety of things can cause erythema, such as herpes, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and Behcet disease, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. Men are at greater risk of suffering from erythema, but pregnancy can also be a cause of the condition. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin have proven useful in treating erythema, and doctors prescribe antibiotics if the condition is caused by an infection. When the erythema is caused by a virus, medications such as acyclovir and valacyclovir can help. Various antioxidants have proven useful, such as vitamins B6, C, E and D, as well as beta-carotene and other carotenoids.

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