Skin condition annoying but not deadly
Dear Dr. Gott: I would appreciate any information you can give me about granuloma annulare. I would like to know what it is, what causes it, what treatments are available, if it is contagious and if it is an infection.
I am an 85-year-old female who first developed this condition one year ago. It shows no signs of improving, and my doctor told me he didn’t know what it was, so he sent me to a specialist. The specialist told me not to worry about it, but I do and really hope that it can be cleared up somehow.
Dear Reader: Granuloma annulare is a chronic skin condition that causes red or flesh-colored raised lesions that form ring patterns. It most often occurs on the hands and feet. It is more commonly seen in children and young adults but can affect anyone at any age.
The most common and often only symptom is raised red or skin-colored bumps that form ring patterns. It can resemble ringworm. Some people experience minor itching. Most cases occur on the feet and hands, but some people experience a more severe form that occurs over most of the body. In this case, itching is more common.
There is no known cause of granuloma annulare. Most affected people are otherwise healthy. There may be a link between it and diabetes, HIV and thyroid disease, but a clear relation has not been found yet.
Women are twice as likely to develop this condition as are men. Children and young adults are at the highest risk.
Most cases do not need treatment because the lesions generally resolve on their own within two years. For those who are bothered by the look of the affected areas, there are a few options. First, corticosteroid cream can be used to speed healing. Second, corticosteroid injections can be used for thick or severe lesions and, finally, the bumps can be frozen, similar to how warts are removed.
For people with the more severe, widespread form of granuloma annulare, there is a special kind of light therapy that includes drugs to make the skin more receptive.
Granuloma annulare is not contagious, nor is it believed to be caused by an infection. Because it appears to be completely benign, it is most likely caused by the body itself and not an outside pathogen. Speak to your dermatologist about this if you are truly concerned.
Since you have had the lesions for a year, you should start to see improvement soon. If your lesions are still present after the two-year mark, return to the specialist for treatment options. Granuloma annulare is not life-threatening. It is more of a cosmetic nuisance, so give it some time to heal on its own.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Eczema and Psoriasis.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.