page_title: Granuloma annulare
section_title: Signs and symptoms
hierarchical_section_title: Granuloma annulare / Signs and symptoms
caption_attribution_description: English: High magnification micrograph of granuloma annulare. H&amp;E stain. Related images Intermed. mag. Intermed. mag. High mag. High mag. Very high mag.
context_page_description: Granuloma annulare is a fairly rare, chronic skin condition which presents as reddish bumps on the skin arranged in a circle or ring. It can initially occur at any age and is four times more common in females.
context_section_description: Aside from the visible rash, granuloma annulare is usually asymptomatic. Sometimes the rash may burn or itch. People with granuloma annulare usually notice a ring of small, firm bumps (papules) over the backs of the forearms, hands or feet, often  centered on joints or knuckles. The bumps are caused by the clustering of T cells below the skin. These papules start as very small, pimple looking bumps, which spread over time from that size to dime, quarter, half-dollar size and beyond. Occasionally, multiple rings may join into one. Rarely, granuloma annulare may appear as a firm nodule under the skin of the arms or legs.  It also occurs on the sides and circumferential at the waist and without therapy can continue to be present for many years. Outbreaks continue to develop at the edges of the aging rings.
caption: Micrograph showing a palisaded granuloma in a case of granuloma annulare. H&E stain.
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