Skip to main content

Granuloma annulare

 Granuloma annulare



Overview

Granuloma annulare (gran-u-LOW-muh an-u-LAR-e) is a skin condition that causes a raised rash or bumps in a ring pattern. The most common type affects young adults, usually on the hands and feet.

Minor skin injuries and some medicines might trigger the condition. It's not contagious and usually not painful, but it can make you feel self-conscious. And if it becomes a long-term condition, it can cause emotional distress.

Treatment might clear the skin gradually, but the bumps tend to come back. Untreated, the condition might last from a few weeks to decades.

Types of granuloma annulare

There are five main types of granuloma annulare. It’s possible to develop more than one type of granuloma annulare at the same time.

Localized granuloma annulare. Localized granuloma annulare is the most common form of granuloma annulare. It causes a circular rash on your skin limited to one area.

Generalized (disseminated) granuloma annulare. Bumps develop over a larger area of your skin, like your whole forearm, instead of a smaller, more concentrated rash.

Subcutaneous granuloma annulare. Lumps develop under your skin.

Perforating granuloma annulare. Painful bumps form on your hands and fingers.

Patch granuloma annulare. Flat areas of rash form in patches on your skin.


Symptoms

Granuloma annulare symptoms vary according to what type you have.

Localized granuloma annulare

Symptoms of localized granuloma annulare include:

Small bumps on your skin that appear right before a rash develops.

Circular rash on your skin that may start as small circles that later merge.

The rash may appear red, pink, purple or the same color as your unaffected skin.

Generalized granuloma annulare

Symptoms of generalized granuloma annulare include:

Bumps that appear over a large area of your skin.

Bumps that join to form large, discolored areas.

Subcutaneous granuloma annulare

Symptoms of subcutaneous granuloma annulare include:

Small lumps under your skin.

Lumps that may grow quickly.

Firm, round and painless lumps.

Red, pink or discolored lumps.

Perforating granuloma annulare

Symptoms of perforating granuloma annulare include:

Small, painful, scaly bumps on your hands or fingers.

Itchy or painful bumps.

Bumps that leak fluid.

Widespread bumps that connect to form large rashes.

Patch granuloma annulare

Symptoms of patch granuloma annulare include:

Red, reddish-brown or purple flat areas of rash.

A rash appears in one or more areas on your skin.

Causes

It's not clear what causes granuloma annulare. Sometimes it's triggered by:

Animal or insect bites

Infections, such as hepatitis

Tuberculin skin tests

Vaccinations

Sun exposure

Minor skin injuries

Medicines

Granuloma annulare is not contagious.


Risk factors

Granuloma annulare can be related to diabetes or thyroid disease, most often when you have many bumps all over the body. It may, rarely, be related to cancer, especially in older people whose granuloma annulare is severe, doesn't respond to treatment or returns after cancer treatment.

Diagnosis

Your health care provider may diagnose granuloma annulare by looking at the affected skin and taking a small skin sample (biopsy) to examine under a microscope.

Treatment

Granuloma annulare can clear on its own over time. Treatment might help clear the skin faster than if left untreated, but the condition often returns. The bumps that return after treatment tend to appear at the same spots, and 80% of those usually clear within two years.

Untreated, the condition might last a few weeks or decades.

Treatment options include:

Corticosteroid creams or ointments. Prescription-strength products may help clear the skin faster. Your health care provider may direct you to cover the cream with bandages or an adhesive patch, to help the medicine work better.

Corticosteroid injections. If the skin isn't clearing up with a medicated cream or ointment, your health care provider may suggest a corticosteroid injection. Repeat injections may be needed every 6 to 8 weeks until the condition clears up.

Freezing. Applying liquid nitrogen to the affected area may help remove the bumps.

Light therapy. Exposing the affected skin to certain types of light, including lasers, is sometimes helpful.

Oral medicines. When the condition is widespread, your health care provider might prescribe medicine taken by mouth, such as antibiotics or antimalarials.

Types of Doctor Department : Dermatology


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Charge Syndrome

Overview CHARGE syndrome is a recognizable genetic syndrome with known pattern of features. It is an extremely complex syndrome, involving extensive medical and physical difficulties that differ from child to child. CHARGE syndrome is correlated with genetic mutation to CHD7 and the prevalence of CHARGE syndrome is 1:10,000-1:15,000 live births. Babies with CHARGE syndrome are often born with life-threatening birth defects. They spend many months in the hospital and undergo many surgeries and other treatments. Swallowing and breathing problems make life difficult even when they come home. Most have hearing two little girls sitting on a carpet, one girl has a trach and is biting her finger.loss, vision loss, and balance problems that delay their development and communication. Despite these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, children with CHARGE syndrome often far surpass their medical, physical, educational, and social expectations. One of the hidden features of CHARGE syndrome is the ...
7 comments
Read more

HMSN Type I

 HMSN Type I Overview Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type 1 (HMSN I), also known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 (CMT1), is a group of inherited neurological disorders affecting the peripheral nerves. It is characterized by progressive muscle weakness and wasting, primarily in the feet and legs, as well as sensory loss. HMSN I is the most common form of HMSN and is typically caused by a duplication on chromosome 17p11.2-p12, including the PMP22 gene.  Symptoms Numbness and tingling: Often starting in the feet and potentially extending to the hands, these sensations can mimic poor circulation.  Reduced ability to feel pain and temperature: This can lead to unnoticed injuries and complications.  Motor Symptoms: Muscle weakness and wasting: Primarily affecting the distal muscles (those farthest from the body's core), such as the feet and hands.  Foot deformities: High arches (pes cavus) and hammer toes are frequently observed.  Gait abnormalit...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sjogren's syndrome

Sjogren's syndrome Overview Sjogren's (SHOW-grins) syndrome is a disorder of your immune system identified by its two most common symptoms — dry eyes and a dry mouth. The condition often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. In Sjogren's syndrome, the mucous membranes and moisture-secreting glands of your eyes and mouth are usually affected first — resulting in decreased tears and saliva. Although you can develop Sjogren's syndrome at any age, most people are older than 40 at the time of diagnosis. The condition is much more common in women. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. Symptoms The two main symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome are: Dry eyes . Your eyes might burn, itch or feel gritty — as if there's sand in them. Dry mouth. Your mouth might feel like it's full of cotton, making it difficult to swallow or speak. Some people with Sjogren's syndrome also have one or more of the following: Joint pain, swel...
Post a Comment
Read more