Pyoderma gangrenosum

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Pyoderma gangrenosum
Pyoderma gangrenosum on the leg
Synonyms
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Painful skin ulcers
Complications	Scarring, infection
Onset	Any age, commonly 40-60 years
Duration	Chronic
Types	N/A
Causes	Unknown, possibly immune system dysfunction
Risks	Inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, hematological disorders
Diagnosis	Clinical diagnosis, biopsy
Differential diagnosis	Venous ulcer, necrotizing fasciitis, vasculitis
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs
Medication	Prednisone, cyclosporine, infliximab
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	Rarely fatal

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare, non-infectious skin disease that causes large, painful ulcers. It is often associated with systemic diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and arthritis.

Signs and Symptoms

The initial symptoms of pyoderma gangrenosum often include small, tender bumps or blisters on the skin. These quickly evolve into painful, deep ulcers with a characteristic purplish border. The ulcers can occur anywhere on the body, but are most common on the legs.

Causes

The exact cause of pyoderma gangrenosum is unknown, but it is often associated with systemic diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and arthritis. It is thought to be an autoimmune disease, in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues.

Pyoderma gangrenosum

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum is primarily based on the appearance of the skin lesions. There is no specific test for the condition, but tests may be done to rule out other conditions that can cause similar skin lesions, such as infection or vasculitis.

Treatment

Treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum typically involves medications to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. These may include corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and infliximab. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove dead tissue from the ulcers.

Prognosis

The prognosis for pyoderma gangrenosum varies depending on the severity of the condition and the presence of associated systemic diseases. With treatment, the skin lesions often heal slowly over months to years, but may leave significant scarring.

See Also

• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn's disease
• Arthritis
• Autoimmune disease
• Vasculitis

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