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Granuloma Annulare: Any ideas for treatment?

Posted by Tommy D. @tommyd, Jan 23, 2012

I have been diagnosed with Granuloma Annulare.Started out with 2 or 3 places on my arm and now have some on my legs. New places are continuing to crop up.
I have tried several steroidal creams but nothing seems to make them disappear. While there is no discomfort, it is not too appealing to look at.
Any ideas for treatment would be appreciated.

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mimi547 | @mimi547 | Apr 6 5:09pm
In reply to @germangal "My disease started to appear on the back of my thighs with welts looking like mosquito..." + (show)
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My disease started to appear on the back of my thighs with welts looking like mosquito bites and itched madly. I used Benedril spray to calm it. After years I had another attack and saw the irregular rings and it spread very quickly on both legs. Now it is creeping everywhere that has no light exposure. Has anyone with Granuloma noticed that the most concentration is in areas that have pressure points? All of my lesions are on the back of my legs (thighs) and where when squatting such back of knees, front of upper thigh, torso, and areas where my skin is never exposed to light.

Is this a connection? I recall when I was very very thin, while sitting at work, the back of my thighs would feel like they were on fire. Only way I could make it quit was to stand and exercise my legs. Now this has returned and I do sit a lot and I am not remotely thin. Could that be nerve damage? Does anyone have an opinion on this?

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@germangal
Hello! I realize that I am responding to a post that was written in 2023, but I have Generalized Granuloma Annulare which sounds exactly like what you experienced. I was diagnosed in December of 2025. I am wondering what treatments you have tried & were any successful? My dermatologist just wants me to take high powered, lots of side effects drugs. I have tried steriod creams which have done absolutely nothing. My GA is on the back of my thighs as well as on my torso on my back. When I sit for a while the back of my thighs become very painful. I have very little itching, but the rash is very unsightly, & looks like I sat in acid.
It is spreading so I want to treat it, just don't know where to turn. I have researched a laser called an excimer laser that is a light laser. I am considering trying if I can find a Dermatologist that has it. I do not know if anyone has tried this for GA. I would be very grateful for a reply from you concerning your journey with this condition.
Thank You,
MIMI

REPLY
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anandx | @anandx | Apr 7 9:57am

Dear Mimi,
Sorry you are suffering. I've been treated for GA going on 3 years. Fortunately I have no pain. The 1st Dr I saw wasn't knowledgeable with GA and didn't know what he was treating until after 1 year he took a biopsy and referred me to a Dr who specializes in skin disease and not superficial/ cosmetic treatments.
Dr #2 prescribed
Tofacitinib 2% ointment 2Xs per day and I've been using for over a year. Some GA patches are no longer "active" others continue to be red and raised around the edges. These have subsided. Dr #2 has chosen not to prescribe drugs with so extreme side effects or laser treatment. Thankfully, my lesions haven't spread since using Tofacitinib.
Maybe you could research another Dr who is less invasive with treatments.
I do pray you find relief from your suffering.

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1 reply
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mimi547 | @mimi547 | Apr 8 6:12pm
In reply to @anandx "Dear Mimi, Sorry you are suffering. I've been treated for GA going on 3 years. Fortunately..." + (show)
Profile picture for anandx @anandx

Dear Mimi,
Sorry you are suffering. I've been treated for GA going on 3 years. Fortunately I have no pain. The 1st Dr I saw wasn't knowledgeable with GA and didn't know what he was treating until after 1 year he took a biopsy and referred me to a Dr who specializes in skin disease and not superficial/ cosmetic treatments.
Dr #2 prescribed
Tofacitinib 2% ointment 2Xs per day and I've been using for over a year. Some GA patches are no longer "active" others continue to be red and raised around the edges. These have subsided. Dr #2 has chosen not to prescribe drugs with so extreme side effects or laser treatment. Thankfully, my lesions haven't spread since using Tofacitinib.
Maybe you could research another Dr who is less invasive with treatments.
I do pray you find relief from your suffering.

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@anandx
Thank you so much for your reply! I have an appointment with my current dermatologist next week & I will ask about the Tofacitinib ointment. I do have an appointment with another dermatologist who is supposed to be more specialized in skin disease, but unfortunately I couldn't get in to see him until the end of July. It sounds like the ointment has helped you! How long before you saw any results ? Do you use the ointment everyday now or just when you notice a "flare"?
Thank You!
MiMi

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1 reply
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anandx | @anandx | Apr 8 7:30pm
In reply to @mimi547 "@anandx Thank you so much for your reply! I have an appointment with my current dermatologist..." + (show)
Profile picture for mimi547 @mimi547

@anandx
Thank you so much for your reply! I have an appointment with my current dermatologist next week & I will ask about the Tofacitinib ointment. I do have an appointment with another dermatologist who is supposed to be more specialized in skin disease, but unfortunately I couldn't get in to see him until the end of July. It sounds like the ointment has helped you! How long before you saw any results ? Do you use the ointment everyday now or just when you notice a "flare"?
Thank You!
MiMi

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@mimi547
Hi Mimi,
I had to wait to see dr #2 but continue to call in to see about cancellations and was able to get in quicker.
I use the Tofi ointment
2x/day on the "live" areas. Once the raised, red edges subside i stop applying on those areas.
I did see results on the older lesions soon after use. Thankfully, only 2 small (< dime size) new areas have appeared but are not growing.
Good luck!

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1 reply
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mimi547 | @mimi547 | Apr 9 4:50pm
In reply to @anandx "@mimi547 Hi Mimi, I had to wait to see dr #2 but continue to call in..." + (show)
Profile picture for anandx @anandx

@mimi547
Hi Mimi,
I had to wait to see dr #2 but continue to call in to see about cancellations and was able to get in quicker.
I use the Tofi ointment
2x/day on the "live" areas. Once the raised, red edges subside i stop applying on those areas.
I did see results on the older lesions soon after use. Thankfully, only 2 small (< dime size) new areas have appeared but are not growing.
Good luck!

Jump to this post

@anandx
Thank you for the information! Hoping for continued success with the Tofi
for you.
MiMi

REPLY
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sofree | @sofree | May 2 10:33am

Hi, I'm new here but I was diagnosed with GA in 2013. It's mostly on my hands and upper back only. Triamcinolone 0.1% is what works for me. Steroid injections directly on the GA welts work great for me also but I do that very rarely.
Sometimes GA on my hands is inflamed and gets red raised patches that look like a rash of some kind. People notice it and always comment on it. I let them know exactly what it is because GA seems to be an unknown condition around here. It doesn't get enough attention compared to other skin conditions.
Reading all of the GA posts here starting in 2012, are some severe, uncomfortable afflictions.
My heart goes out to you, I'll keep following these thoughts and ideas for the helpful information.
Thanks.

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