Health Library

Granuloma annulare, or GA, is a long-term (chronic) skin disease that causes bumps, or lesions, to develop on or under the skin. The lesions may form into one or more small, ring-like circles that are up to 2 inches (5 cm) wide.

GA doesn't spread from person to person, and it doesn't cause serious illness.

What are the causes?

The exact cause of GA isn't known. It may be a reaction of your child's body defense system (immune system). In some cases, GA may be passed down in families.

Symptoms may appear after an injury, sun exposure, or insect bites.

What increases the risk?

Your child may be more likely to get GA if:

1. They are female.
2. They have a family history of GA.
3. They have diabetes.
4. They have an autoimmune disease.

What are the signs or symptoms?

The most common symptom is small, painless lesions on the skin. These may:

• Appear on the top of the hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Be skin color, pink, or reddish.

Less common symptoms may include:

1. Firm lumps under the skin.
2. Many lesions on both sides of the body, including on the forehead, neck, and belly.
3. Slight itching in the area of the lesions.

How is this diagnosed?

GA may be diagnosed based on:

1. Your child's symptoms and medical history.
2. A physical exam.
3. A biopsy, which is when a small piece of skin is removed for testing.

How is this treated?

If your child has many lesions, treatment may include:

a. Ultraviolet light.

b. Medicines, such as:

1. Steroid creams or ointments.
2. Steroid shots.
3. Medicine to prevent malaria (anti-malarial). This reduces the lesions.
4. Vitamin E.

c. Freezing the lesion. This stops the lesions from growing.

d. Laser therapy. The heat stops the lesions from spreading.

Your child may not need treatment if a small area of skin is affected. In many cases, GA will go away without treatment. This may take many months to years.

Follow these instructions at home:

1. Give or apply your child's medicines only as told.
2. Keep all follow-up visits. Your child's provider will check if the treatment is working.

Contact a health care provider if:

1. Your child's symptoms get worse.
2. The affected area becomes itchy or painful.
3. New areas of lesions appear in other places on the body.
4. Your child's symptoms go away and come back.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.