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Granuloma annulare - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Definition

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a common condition of unknown cause which affects 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.

Causes

This type of illness is usually seen in healthy people. Occasionally, it is found that this may be associated with diabetes or thyroid disease. Its cause is unknown. It is believed it is due to the result of a type of immune system reaction. Medical research is now tried to find out or determine if there is a relationship between granuloma annulare and diabetes. Some believe that it is happen due to the internal disease but, it is not caused by an internal disease, and does not mean that you are ill.

Granuloma annulare is most often confused with ringworm. It may also look like insect bites, or the initial lesion of Lyme disease, which is called erythema migrans.

Symptoms

In most cases, granuloma annulare causes no symptoms, or a just mild itch at the start of any new area. It can be tender if knocked. In most patients, patches occur on only one or two sites of the body, often on bony areas such as the backs of the hand, elbows or ankles.
Although the lesions may be unsightly, granuloma annulare usually causes no other signs or symptoms. The lesions may disappear and reappear at a later time. A more severe, widespread form of this condition is called generalized granuloma annulare.

Treatment

The diagnosis of granuloma annulare is usually based on the appearance of the skin lesions. 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.
Most often, granuloma annulare heals without any treatment. Corticosteroid creams under waterproof bandages, surgical tape saturated with a corticosteroid, or injected corticosteroids may help clear up the rash. However, if there are many areas, or ones that are cosmetically undesirable, there are several options. Your dermatologist may prescribe a steroid cream to apply, or inject steroids directly into the spot to help it disappear faster. Steroids can thin the skin and should be used according to your dermatologists directions.