skin disorders
Granuloma Annulare
Introduction
Granuloma annulare is a chronic skin disorder in which small, firm, raised bumps appear and spread out to form a ring with normal or slightly sunken skin in the center. (See also Overview of Hypersensitivity and Reactive Skin Disorders .) Granuloma annulare may be the result of an immune system reaction. People may have one ring or several and colors vary. The diagnosis is usually based on the appearance of the skin and can be confirmed with a skin biopsy. Granuloma annulare usually heals without treatment. The cause of granuloma annulare is not clear, but doctors suspect it is the result of an immune system reaction. Many disorders, infections, drugs, and environmental factors have been noticed in people who have granuloma annulare, but having granuloma annulare does not mean that another disorder is present. Granuloma annulare occurs twice as often in women as in men. 