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Granuloma Annulare – is a skin condition which often onsets in childhood or adolescence, often occurs in otherwise normally healthy people, normally affects the extremeties and appears on the hands, feet elbows and knees, but can sometimes extend to the whole of the legs, arms and buttocks and is slightly more common in females (60/40).
There are several different types of Granuloma:
- Localized granuloma annulare (most common type over 30 years of age – worse in summer)
- Generalized granuloma annulare (up to 15% of sufferers – mostly older adults – mostly summer)
- Patch-type granuloma annulare
- Subcutaneous granuloma annulare (mostly occurs in children up to 10 years)
- Perforating granuloma annulare (around 5% of sufferers and mostly occurs in children)
- Granuloma annulare in HIV disease
- Arcuate dermal erythema
- actinic granuloma (sometimes only considered a ‘related’ entity
The causes of Granuloma are not fully understood but this relatively uncommon and slow progressing condition has an immune system base. It initially presents as small red or purple papules which slowly develop and these lesions are due to a clustering of T-cells below the skin and is believed to involve degenerative collagen. Occasionally, it may be associated with diabetes or thyroid disease and it has also been associated with auto-immune diseases like SLE.
Incidences of Granuloma annulare outbreaks have been linked to thyroid problems, viruses including HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Epstein-Bar, Herpes Zoster, tuberculosis, sun damage, insect bites, vaccinations, and general traumas on the body, but all these situations have a common underlying factor involved which is that they all require an immune response, and as Granuloma has an immune system base, any of these situations and any others that cause an immune system response may cause an outbreak.
Granuloma annulare is a benign inflammatory dermatosis. Although there is a higher incidence in children, young and older adults, females and the elderly, Granuloma annulare does not favour a particular race, ethnic group, or geographical area, and normally does not occur in infants.
Due to the round shape of the lesions, Granuloma annulare is often misdiagnosed as Ringworm, a type of Tinea. However, unlike Tinea, which has a scaling border, Granuloma Annulare does not present with a scale and usually has a raised, smooth leading edge. Granuloma may sometimes burn or itch and occasionally multiple rings may appear, although in some types there may be papules, pustular lesions, crusting, scale and exudate of clear and viscous fluid.
Outbreaks of Granuloma can last months or years and commonly recurs in affected people. In many cases the condition regresses spontaneously without treatment, and may lie dormant for years only to re-appear in later life.
Treatment:
Often Cortico-steroids in the form of topical ointments or injection are used, as well as cryotherapy, PUVA or immune system suppressing drugs are also used by the medical fraternity, but with mixed successes. We do not treat Granuloma using any drugs, steroids or any invasive treatment.
Our treatment consists of applying naturally-based topical products and through supporting the immune system through the use of TGA listed oral medicines which are in many cases exclusively available from us after a consultation with one of our Practitioners.
Clear up Granuloma Annulare:
Is Granuloma Annulare incurable?
Our protocols for the treatment of Granuloma Annulare are based on clearing up symptoms using dietary advice and through the use of naturally-based topical and oral medicines such as ointments, creams, gels, lotions etc as well as targetted oral medicines, under the brand names of Dr Michaels and Seloderma, as well as some other brands, which assist in breaking the cycle from within.
Address the internal causative factors with respect to nutrients lacking in your diet, or metabolically blocked by your body, by seeing a Skin Professional who can assess which nutrients are lacking in your diet and which ones your body is blocking.