What treatments have helped or not for generalize granuloma annulare?

Posted by bmh @bmh, Jul 9, 2024

I have tried 3 different topical creams, no help. Triamincilone, chlobesol, bethamethasone. Kenalog injections do work but they will not inject me anymore as I have too many. I tried otezla, after 2 months, just more lesions and I couldn't take the side effects anymore. Now I am going to try a jak inhibitor called opzelura cream. I'll test that for 2-3 months. If that doesn't help ill try Hydroxychloroquine pills. Most don't bother me, some itch. I just keep getting more, probably close to 100 and growing more. Anyone have had any success or fails?

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Originally I was prescribed
Clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream and used for 3 months. Not effective at all. And increased /red and elevated rim around patches.
Now using Tofacitinib ointment 2X/ day for 6 months. Positive, slow results. New spots arise but with immediate application they don't spread. Redness has paled. I do have "scars" from older lesions and not sure if they'll disappear.

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I was diagnosed with generalized GA in December 2025. I am hypersensitive to medications & have had some really bad reactions over the years so I don't want to take a medication for this condition. So far the only thing I have tried is Triamcinolone Acetonide cream which has not worked at all. I have researched treatments other than oral medications & found a treatment with Excimer laser, which is a light laser. Wondering if anyone has tried this treatment & what were the results.

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Profile picture for mimi547 @mimi547

I was diagnosed with generalized GA in December 2025. I am hypersensitive to medications & have had some really bad reactions over the years so I don't want to take a medication for this condition. So far the only thing I have tried is Triamcinolone Acetonide cream which has not worked at all. I have researched treatments other than oral medications & found a treatment with Excimer laser, which is a light laser. Wondering if anyone has tried this treatment & what were the results.

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@mimi547
Hello,
I was diagnosed with GGA recently, started treatment with Mometasone Furoate Cream. Did not help much. My dermatologist prescribed off label use of Pentoxifylline. Started in taking 2/26. What is pentoxifylline used for in dermatology?
Results: Pentoxifylline has been used to treat various dermatological conditions including peripheral vascular disease, vasculitis and vasculopathies, chilblains, pigmented purpuric dermatosis, granuloma annulare, necrobiosis, keloids, lichen sclerosis et atrophicus, scars, radiation-induced fibrosis, vitiligo, ...
I’m hoping that with continued use I will see some improvements. I’ve had a lot of stress in my life and believe that doesn’t help.
Best of luck with your GA,
Linda

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Profile picture for jeanlindadr @jeanlindadr

@mimi547
Hello,
I was diagnosed with GGA recently, started treatment with Mometasone Furoate Cream. Did not help much. My dermatologist prescribed off label use of Pentoxifylline. Started in taking 2/26. What is pentoxifylline used for in dermatology?
Results: Pentoxifylline has been used to treat various dermatological conditions including peripheral vascular disease, vasculitis and vasculopathies, chilblains, pigmented purpuric dermatosis, granuloma annulare, necrobiosis, keloids, lichen sclerosis et atrophicus, scars, radiation-induced fibrosis, vitiligo, ...
I’m hoping that with continued use I will see some improvements. I’ve had a lot of stress in my life and believe that doesn’t help.
Best of luck with your GA,
Linda

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@jeanlindadr
Hi!
My dermatologist did offer the pentoxifylline as an option, but with my sensitivity to medications I am hesitant. I hope this works for you! You have been taking it for roughly a month, so have you seen any improvement or side effects? Just wish I could find out if anyone has tried the excimer laser.
I am getting desperate!

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Hello,
I’m not having any side effects from Pentoxifyllin. The spreading has reduced and hopefully with continued used I will see more improvements. I checked out the laser treatment sounds like a good option. Best of luck to you.

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Sounds like you are things are moving in the right direction for you. I am going to try & find a dermatologist who has this laser but if that doesn’t happen I may try the pentoxifyllin. Keep me posted & wishing you much success with your treatment.
MiMi

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