Granuloma annulare - Symptoms and Treatment of Granuloma annulare

Granuloma annulare is a chronic skin disease consisting of a rash with reddish bumps arranged in a circle or ring. It is a chronic skin condition characterized by small, raised bumps that form a ring with a normal or sunken center. Granuloma annulare is relatively common disease that occurs in all age groups, but it is rare in infancy. Granuloma annulare is characterized clinically by dermal papules and annular plaques.

Forms of Granuloma annulare

  • Localized granuloma annulare
  • Generalized granuloma annulare
  • Subcutaneous granuloma annulare
  • Perforating granuloma annulare
  • Arcuate dermal erythema

Treatment of Granuloma annulare

In most cases no treatment is required because the patches disappear by themselves in a few months leaving no trace. However, sometimes they persist for years. Sometimes it is helpful to apply a strong steroid preparation to the skin or steroids can be injected into the bumps themselves. Small plaques can be frozen (cryotherapy). Topical imiquimod and topical calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus and pimecrolimus) have been reported to help individual cases.

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. Some physicians may choose to freeze the lesions with liquid nitrogen.

Most lesions of granuloma annulare disappear with no treatment within two years. Sometimes, however, the rings can remain for many years. The appearance of new rings years later is not uncommon.

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