Dr. M.J. Bazos, MD
Patient Handout
GRANULOMA
ANNULARE
About Your
Diagnosis
Granuloma annulare is a relatively uncommon skin
disease. The cause is not known and it is not contagious. It is seen more
commonly in children and young adults. It usually resolves on its own but
recurrences are common. Treatment with medicationsapplied to the skin may help
speed up healing. Diagnosis is usually made by a doctor’s visual
inspection of the skin, and a minor skin biopsy is sometimes used to confirm the
diagnosis. Although granuloma annulare tends to recur, it is not cancerous or
life threatening.
Living With Your
Diagnosis
Granuloma annulare may start
as a small, red bump and develop into a ring of bumps or even multiple bumps.
The bumps are red to tan, and the bump rings can grow up to a few inches but are
usually smaller. Some bumps may go away within a few months, whereas others may
persist for years. They usually occur on the arms, hands, legs, and
feet.
Treatment
Treatment
is usually not necessary. Steroid creams applied to skin may be prescribed.
Apply a small amount of cream or lotion to the affected area and cover with
Saran Wrap for 8 hours. It is best to do this just before bedtime and remove the
Saran Wrap in the morning. For severe or extensive cases of granuloma annulare,
medications by mouth may be prescribed. If given prescription medications,
follow your doctor’s
directions.
The
DOs
• Be patient. Granuloma
annulare is not life threatening.
•
Most cases eventually improve within
years.
• Diet and exercise do not
affect the condition.
The
DON’Ts
• Patients with this
disorder have no restrictions.
When
to Call Your Doctor
• If itching
or scaling occur.
• Any signs of
infection occur such as fever, swelling, or pus drainage.