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Home /
Quick Facts: Skin Disorders /
Hypersensitivity and Inflammatory Skin Disorders /
... /
Granuloma Annulare /
IN THIS TOPIC

What is granuloma annulare?

What causes granuloma annulare?

What are the symptoms of granuloma annulare?

How can doctors tell if I have granuloma annulare?

How do doctors treat granuloma annulare?

OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER

Hypersensitivity and Inflammatory Skin Disorders
Drug Rashes
Erythema Multiforme
Erythema Nodosum
Granuloma Annulare
Keratosis Pilaris
Panniculitis
Pyoderma Gangrenosum
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

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Quick Facts

Granuloma Annulare

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Last full review/revision Jan 2021| Content last modified Jan 2021
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Topic Resources

What is granuloma annulare?

"Granuloma" means a small mass of tissue that forms because of inflammation (swelling). "Annulare" means shaped like a ring.

Granuloma annulare is a harmless skin reaction that causes small, firm, raised bumps on the skin. The bumps form a ring with normal or slightly sunken skin at the center of the ring.

  • Granuloma annulare is more common in women

  • You may have a single ring or several rings

  • Granuloma annulare usually heals without treatment

What causes granuloma annulare?

Doctors don't know what causes granuloma annulare. It may be a reaction from your immune system.

What are the symptoms of granuloma annulare?

Symptoms include small, firm, raised bumps that form on your feet, legs, hands, or finger in a ring shape. The bumps can be bluish, yellowish, or skin-colored. They may be tender.

How can doctors tell if I have granuloma annulare?

Doctors can tell you have granuloma annulare by looking at your skin. To know for sure, doctors may do a biopsy (taking a small piece of skin to look at under a microscope).

How do doctors treat granuloma annulare?

Granuloma annulare usually heals without any treatment. If it bothers you, doctors treat it with:

  • Corticosteroid creams or shots

  • Skin cream to treat an immune reaction

  • Light therapy with medicines to make your skin more sensitive to light

  • Other medicines or laser therapy

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