Granuloma Annulare

Granuloma annulare is a rare, chronic degenerative skin disorder. It usually appears as small, firm, yellow or red bumps arranged in rings on the skin approximately 1-5 cm wide. Granuloma annulare can have spontaneous remission cycles and can disappear on its own and reappear later.

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Symptoms

Symptoms of granuloma annulare include:

  • Small, firm, yellow or red bumps arranged in a ring on the skin
  • Often appears on the fingers, hands, and feet
  • Affects both sides of the body

Related Disorders

While the exact cause is unknown, granuloma annulare may be linked to various health conditions including tuberculosis, thyroid disease, shingles, viral infections, and diabetes mellitus. Ringworm (a fungal infection) can also be mistaken for granuloma annulare. Conversely, benign granulomas can sometimes be mistaken for cancer.

Granuloma inflammations (not granuloma annulare) can also appear in individuals who have Crohn’s disease, tuberculosis, berylliosis, sarcoidosis, syphilis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, and Wegener’s granulomatosis.

Treatment

Many affected individuals do not require treatment for granuloma annulare. If treatment is recommended or desired, options include retinoic acid or corticosteroid drugs.