skin disorders
Pyoderma Gangrenosum
Introduction
Pyoderma gangrenosum is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder of unknown cause that causes large sores on the skin. (See also Overview of Hypersensitivity and Reactive Skin Disorders .) The cause is not known, but this disorder can develop after an injury or in people with certain disorders. This disorder begins as small bumps or blisters that become open sores. The diagnosis is usually based on the appearance of the sores. Treatment includes dressings, creams, and drugs. The cause of pyoderma gangrenosum is unknown, but people who have pyoderma gangrenosum tend to have certain underlying disorders, including Overview of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) , arthritis, cancers, and blood disorders. In pyoderma gangrenosum, the immune system seems to be reacting to the skin itself. Unlike many inflammatory skin conditions that are caused by Lymphocytes (a type of Pyoderma gangrenosum typically affects people who are 25 to 55 years old. Pyoderma gangrenosum can develop on areas of skin that have recently been injured or operated on. Thus, areas affected by pyoderma gangrenosum often worsen if they are biopsied (a sample of skin is removed for examination) or debrided (dead tissue is removed to clean the affected area). 