Download Granuloma Annulare

Granuloma Annulare
The cause of granuloma annulare (GA) is not known. Skin lesions can follow an insect bite, sun
exposure, a virus, or can appear at the site of trauma. Most often they affect children and young
adults.
Lesions of GA begin as smooth, flesh-colored or pink bumps on the skin that slowly expand,
often forming a ring of bumps with central clearing in an oval or irregular shape. There may be
only a single lesion or many lesions. GA can be found on any part of the body and rarely itches
or hurts. The most common places are the tops of the feet, ankles, wrists, and back of the hands.
The lesions of GA most often fade away in a few months to years without any treatment. It is not
contagious. In children, granuloma annulare is not linked with any underlying problems.
Sometimes topical steroid ointments are prescribed. The lesions may recur, often at the original
site. They will go away in time.
UW Dermatology Department
1 S. Park St 7th Floor
Madison, WI 53715
Clinic: 608 287-2450
American Family Children’s Hospital
Pediatric Dermatology Specialty Clinic
1675 Highland Ave.
Madison, WI 53792
Clinic: 608 263-6420
Your health care team may have given you this information as part of your care. If so, please use it and call if you
have any questions. If this information was not given to you as part of your care, please check with your doctor. This
is not medical advice. This is not to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Because each
person’s health needs are different, you should talk with your doctor or others on your health care team when using
this information. If you have an emergency, please call 911. Copyright ©10/2015. University of Wisconsin Hospitals
and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#6462.