Granuloma Annulare - Symptoms & Treatment

Granuloma annulare is a harmless rash that forms rings on the surface of the skin. It is especially common in children and young adults, although it may affect people of all ages, and is twice as common in women as it is in men. The condition is usually seen in otherwise healthy people. Occasionally, it may be associated with diabetes or thyroid disease. Its cause is unknown. Granuloma annulare may be pearly white, skin-colored, red, or purple. It is most often an isolated area, but may appear as several "bumps" spread all over the body. It is often seen on the tops of the hands and feet, elbows, and knees. Granuloma annulare starts as a round, firm, smooth, bump which becomes a circular ring with a clear center; similar to the shape of a doughnut. It usually does not peel or itch and for that reason, can often go unnoticed. Some types of granuloma annulare have been linked with diabetes but this is very uncommon in the ordinary type.

Granuloma annulare is not caused by an internal disease, and does not mean that you are ill. However, it may be related to other problems. In most people with this disorder, granuloma annulare will go away in about 2 years, but this cannot be predicted accurately on an individual basis. Granuloma annulare will disappear after a few weeks or months without leaving a scar, but it may recur at the same site or somewhere else at a later date. When granuloma annulare is widespread it may be associated with underlying diabetes mellitus. In some instances, especially in the less common types, a skin biopsy helps to prove the clinical diagnosis, A urine test for sugar is often performed too, as there is a slightly increased risk of diabetes for those with the less common, widespread type of granuloma annulare. In most cases no treatment is required. If treatment is desired, it may be helpful to apply a prescription to the skin or medication can be injected into the bumps themselves. In very widespread or bothersome cases, potent treatments are tried. These include trental and ultraviolet treatment.

Causes of Granuloma annulare

Common causes and risk factor's of Granuloma annulare:

• The exect cause of granuloma annulare is unknown.
• Diabetes.
• Hepatitis B and C infection.
• Thyroid disease including autoimmune thyroiditis.
• Drug reaction.

Symptoms of Granuloma annulare

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

• Reddish or skin-colored bumps.
• Mild itching.
• Papules around the ring are close but don't grow together.

Treatment of Granuloma annulare

Common treatment of Granuloma annulare:

• Sometimes it is helpful to apply a strong steroid preparation to the skin or steroids can be injected into the bumps themselves.
• Topical imiquimod and topical calcineurin inhibitors have been reported to help individual cases.
• Cortisone injections can also be used to treat granuloma annulare.
• Always massage a cellulite cream thoroughly with your fingertips. It makes them double effective.
• Some physicians may choose to freeze the lesions with liquid nitrogen.