A 26-year-old female with a history of Crohn's disease presents with recurring painful swelling in her right lower leg over the last six months. Physical examination reveals tender, red nodules. What could be the cause of this and how should it be managed?
This patient's symptoms suggest erythema nodosum, a type of skin inflammation that is a common extraintestinal manifestation of Crohn's disease. The treatment typically involves nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for symptom control, along with management of the underlying IBD. In some cases, systemic corticosteroids may be needed.