Pyoderma gangrenosum
Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare, inflammatory skin disease where painful pustules or nodules become ulcers that progressively grow. Pyoderma gangrenosum is not infectious. Treatments may include corticosteroids, ciclosporin, infliximab, or canakinumab. The disease was identified in 1930. It affects approximately 1 person in 100,000 in the population. Though it can affect people of any age, it mostly affects people in their 40s and 50s. Types There are two main types of pyoderma gangrenosum: the 'typical' ulcerative form, which occurs in the legs an 'atypical' form that is more superficial and occurs in the hands and other parts of the body Other variations are: Peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum comprises 15% of all cases of pyoderma Bullous pyoderma gangrenosum Pustular pyoderma gangrenosum Vegetative pyoderma gangrenosum Presentation Associations The following are conditions commonly associated with pyoderma gangrenosum: Inflammatory bowel disease: Ulcerative colitis Crohn's disease Arthritides: Rheumatoid arthritis Seronegative arthritis Hematological disease: Myelocytic leukemia Hairy cell leukemia Myelofibrosis Myeloid metaplasia Monoclonal gammopathy Autoinflammatory disease: Pyogenic sterile arthritis, and acne syndrome (PAPA syndrome) Causes Though the cause is not well understood, the disease is thought to be due to immune system dysfunction, and particularly improper functioning of neutrophils. In support of an immune cause, a variety