What is pyoderma gangrenosum?
"Pyoderma" means a skin inflammation (swelling). "Gangrenosum" means skin ulcers with the death of tissue.
Pyoderma gangrenosum is a skin disease in which you get large sores on your skin, usually on your legs.
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It happens most often in people ages 25 to 55
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Doctors don't know what causes it, but it often happens in people who have another health problem, such as inflammatory bowel disease Overview of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) In inflammatory bowel diseases, the intestine (bowel) becomes inflamed, often causing recurring abdominal pain and diarrhea. The two primary types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are Crohn... read more
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Sometimes it happens to skin that's recently been injured
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You get small bumps or blisters that become open sores
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Treatments include dressings, creams, and medicines
What causes pyoderma gangrenosum?
Doctors don't know exactly what causes pyoderma gangrenosum, but they think it involves a problem with your immune system Overview of the Immune System The immune system is your body's defense system. It helps protect you from illness and infection. The immune system's job is to attack things that don’t belong in your body, including: Germs... read more . Pyoderma gangrenosum is more common in people who have certain other health problems, such as:
