Granuloma Annulare

Granuloma annulare is a long-term ( chronic ) skin disease consisting of a rash with reddish bumps arranged in a circle or ring. It appears most often over knuckles and other joints or in places that are subject to frequent, mild injury such as the back of the hands or top of the feet.

Causes of Granuloma annulare

The common causes and risk factor’s of Granuloma annulare include the following:

• The exect cause of granuloma annulare is unknown.
• Granuloma annulare most often affects children and young adults. It is slightly more common in girls.
• The condition is usually seen in otherwise healthy people.
• Some types of granuloma annulare have been linked with diabetes but this is very uncommon in the ordinary type.

Symptoms of Granuloma annulare

Some sign and symptoms related to Granuloma annulare are as follows:

• Patients usually notice a ring of small, firm bumps (papules) over the backs of the forearms, hands or feet.
• Ringed red bumps on soles of feet.
• Mild itching in some people, though the lesions usually cause no pain or itching.
• Yellowish or skin-colored bumps.
• Ringed red bumps on back of hands.
• Multiple rings may be found.
• Ringed red bumps on elbows.
• A skin biopsy may also be necessary to confirm the diagnosis of granuloma annulare.

Treatment of Granuloma Annulare

Here is list of the methods for treating Granuloma annulare:

• Very strong topical steroid creams or ointments are sometimes used to speed the disappearance of the lesions.
• Injections of steroids directly into the rings may also be effective.
• Light therapy: In severe cases of generalized granuloma annulare, your doctor may recommend a special kind of ultraviolet light therapy called psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA).
• In severe cases oral medications may be needed.
• Freezing the spots with liquid nitrogen works well, but can leave pigmentation changes.
• In cryotherapy, your doctor applies liquid nitrogen to the affected area with a cotton-tipped applicator or a small instrument designed for applying extreme cold (a spray device or a cryoprobe).

Author: admin    11 1st, 2008 in Skin Disorders