Medical Skin Treatments

---

This skin condition can cause a rash with red bumps (erythematous papules) in a circle or ring pattern (annular).[1][2][3]  In a majority of cases it affects the  forearms, hands, or feet, while in a smaller number of patients it is extensive all over the body.

The cause of this is unknown, but there are multiple factors which contribute including skin injuries, viral infections, and certain medications and medical diseases. However, most cases of GA develop in healthy people.[1][2][3][4][5] 

About a quarter of patients with generalized GA will have this for more than five years and for others it may last longer than 10 years.[3] 

Conventional western medicine "have shown results in only a few patients and can have side effects"[6]. The risks and benefits of each treatment option should be discussed with your doctor.[3][4] 

 References:

1. Ghadially R. Granuloma Annulare. MedScape Reference. October 29, 2018; https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1123031-overview.
2. Granuloma annulare. American Academy of Dermatology. February 8, 2018; https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/rashes/granuloma-annulare#overview.
3. Brodell RT. Granuloma annulare. UpToDate. July 17, 2017; https://www.uptodate.com/contents/granuloma-annulare.
4. Wang J, Khachemoune A. Granuloma Annulare: A Focused Review of Therapeutic Options. Am J Clin Dermatol. June 2018; 19(3):333-344. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29230666.
5. Piette EW, Rosenbach M. Granuloma annulare: Pathogenesis, disease associations and triggers, and therapeutic options. J Am Acad Dermatol. September 2016; 75(3):467-479. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27543210.
6. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. National Institutes of Health  https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6546/granuloma-annulare 

Piette EW, Rosenbach M. Granuloma annulare: Clinical and histologic variants, epidemiology, and genetics. J Am Acad Dermatol. September 2016; 75(3):457-465. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27543209.

Pityriasis rosea is a skin rash believed to be caused by a virus. It generally affects young adults, especially in autumn and spring.
The first signs of it is a circular pink rash, usually on the chest, known to doctors as a ‘herald patch’[1]. There may also be a smaller patches of a pink, scaly inflamed rash in the upper body and over the area of the ribs in lines, in the distribution of a ‘christmas tree’ pattern.
It generally occurs just once, with only a two per cent chance of getting it again[2].  The rash may last several months, but after the rash has gone, there are usually no scars are left. People with darker skin may have areas of skin discolouration for some time longer.
Pityriasis rosea is not said to be contagious.     
Other skin conditions which may mimic pityriasis rosea include the fungal skin infection tinea (also known as ‘ringworm’).
Treatment for pityriasis rosea may include, but not limited to[2]:

• ultraviolet light, so some mild sun may be beneficial
• phototherapy using UVB ultraviolet light may be helpful. 

[1] https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/pityriasis-rosea[2] https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/pityriasis-rosea
References:Australasian College of Dermatologists (Pityriasis rosea) Cochrane Summaries (Interventions for pityriasis rosea, skin rash of unknown cause)Johns Hopkins Medicine (What is pityriasis rosea?)Mayo Clinic (Pityriasis rosea)