Granuloma annulare is a fairly common and harmless skin disease. It occurs at various ages, but most often in the 50s. There is a preponderance of women (about twice as many) with granuloma annulare.
The skin disease is seen as ring-shaped, flat, raised rashes with a slightly darker colour. At the outer edge of the rash, there is usually more thickening. Granuloma annulare tends to change slowly over time.
The rashes are usually a couple of centimeters in size. They can appear anywhere on the body, but are typically seen on the wrists and ankles.
There are subtypes of granuloma annulare, including widespread (generalized) and deep (subcutaneous) form.
Granuloma annulare is a reaction where inflammatory cells flow to the dermis, causing the skin to thicken at the same time as the connective tissue weakens.
The cause is unknown. The disease can rarely be triggered by damage to the skin (for example in shingles) or by disease elsewhere in the body (including diabetes).
Treatment is not always necessary because the rash causes little trouble. Moreover, it will disappear in many, perhaps half, within two years.
Strong cortisone creams can be tried. Since the disease lies somewhat deep in the skin, injections of cortisone into the skin are often more effective.
Other possibilities are light treatment, freezing treatment or antimalarial drugs. A number of other treatments have been tried, but none have proven to be very effective.
Our dermatologists help people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, with everything from simple skin changes to serious conditions.
Our dermatologists help people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, with everything from simple skin changes to serious conditions.
