Granuloma Annulare in Children

Granuloma annualre is a benign inflammation of the skin. It is common in both children and adults and can occur at any age, although it is uncommon and rare in infants. Most often, it presents as an inflammation of the skin and goes away without medical treatment. Granuloma annulare presents as bumps or scaly areas on the arms, legs, hands, feet and trunk. Often they appear in a circular formation on the body and hands or feet.

About

• According to Ruby Ghidally, MD and professor at the University of California, San Francisco, granuloma annualare can occur at any age, although it is extremely rare in infants. Most often, it appears in a circular formation on the body, with red bumps or scales. The cause of the condition is not known, but it appears that women have the condition twice as often as men.

Causes

• While the ultimate cause of granuloma annulare in children and adults is unknown at this time, several causes have been suggested. These include insect bites, sun exposure, tuberculosis, vaccinations, herpes zoster virus, HIV and hepatitis (A, B and C). Although, all of these causes have been suggested, Dr. Ghidally indicates that the medication research does not support these suggestions at this time. There is some indication that stress may be a trigger effect for the development of granuloma annulare.

Symptoms

• According to Penn State Milton Hershey School of Medicine, the symptoms of granuloma annulare include small red bumps presented in a circular formation. Usually, these bumps are fleshy and may also be bluish-red in color. There may be only one ring of bumps or several rings that are present in different locations on the body, including the legs, arms, hands, feet, back and abdomen. The bumps are non-cancerous and do not spread.

Differential Diagnosis

• A differential diagnosis is when a doctor or medical professional considers other potential causes for the symptoms. Peggy Cyr, MD of the Maine Medical Center in an article in the Journal of the American Academy of Family Physicians, describes other potential causes for symptoms that look like those presented in a case of granuloma annulare include Lyme disease, eczema, psoriasis, tinea corporis and pityriasis rosacea. All of these conditions can have similar symptoms, including bumps and skin irritations.

Treatment

• Dr. Cyr states that the symptoms of granuloma annulare in children and adults often disappear on their own without the need for medication or medical intervention. For persistent cases, however, Accutane has been shown to be effective as a treatment modality. Other effective treatments can include antibiotics, which can be given both orally and in topical medications. In most cases, doctors will attempt to assure the patient that the skin condition will eventually resolve on its own without the need for medication.