Annular granuloma is a chronic skin disease. It is mild, you cannot catch it from another person, but it is sometimes difficult for doctors to diagnose it. What are the causes and symptoms of annular granuloma? What is the treatment of this skin disease?
Annular granuloma(LatinGranuloma annulare ) is a chronic skin disease that most often occurs in children. It is mild and not contagious, but sometimes it is difficult for doctors to diagnose it. It happens that a sick person, until a correct diagnosis is made, is unnecessarily treated for other, similarly manifested skin diseases.
Annular granuloma - causes and risk factors
The causes of the annular granuloma are unknown, but it is increasingly believed that the underlying disease may be an immune response to an unknown antigen. In turn, the list of risk factors includes injuries, insect bites, red tattoo, tuberculin tests, antiviral vaccinations, viral and bacterial infections, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, concomitant immune and cancer diseases. Some people believe that diabetes favors the development of annular granuloma, but its association with the disease has not been definitively confirmed.
Annular granuloma - symptoms
Annular granuloma manifests as subcutaneous, hard, smooth eruptions that take on an annular shape. They are small and measure from 2-5 mm, but sometimes they can grow up to 6-8 cm. The lesions are most often located on the backs of the hands and feet, where they are skin-colored or slightly pink. If they develop elsewhere, they usually turn dark red or purple in color.
In addition, no other symptoms appear. There are also no abnormalities in other systems and organs.
Annular granuloma - diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually made on the basis of symptoms. In this case, exclude periarticular nodules (deeper location of the nodules than in the case of granuloma), annular sarcoidosis (with blue-brown nodules and often coexist with lesions in other organs) and ringworm (characterized by moreflat lumps and a different location of the eruptions). Unfortunately, sometimes the symptoms are ambiguous, which is an indication for a histopathological examination, i.e. a biopsy.
Annular granuloma - treatment
In the case of single lesions, local treatment is sufficient (occlusive corticosteroids or 0.1% tacrolimus or 1% pimecrolimus). In the case of disseminated form, general treatment is required, requiring administration of corticosteroids, dapson or anti-malarial drugs. In severe cases, cyclosporin A or fumaric acid esters may be administered. Freezing lesions with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery) or ethyl chloride can also be effective. Photochemotherapy (PUVA) is also recommended.