Definition of Granuloma annulare

Granuloma annulare:The definition of granuloma annulare in one of the standard print medical dictionaries begins: "a benign, usually self-limited granulomatous disease of unknown etiology, chiefly involving the dermis." Translation: This condition usually clears up by itself (it is "usually self-limited); it is not malignant (it is "benign"); we don't have a clue as to what causes it (it is "of unknown etiology"); it affects the layer (the "dermis") of the skin just below the outside layer (the epidermis).

A granuloma is a localized nodular inflammation which has a typical pattern when the involved tissue examined under a microscope. Annulare comes from the Latin word "anus" meaning ring. Granuloma annulare is thus a ring-like granuloma in the skin.

Granuloma annulare tends to occur in children, predominantly girls.

We recently heard from a viewer who wrote: "I was told my daughter has granuloma alanarra. She has a raised spiral inflammation on her ankle with a clear center. It has increased in size by 3 inches (7-8 cm) in the past year. My doctor told us that it would clear on its own. Is this true? Is there another name I should look under?"

There is only one name for this condition to the best of our knowledge -- granuloma annulare -- and that is the name to look under.

Granuloma annulare looks very much as this viewer has described it in his/her daughter.