Granuloma annulare and ringworm are two skin conditions that cause a ring-shaped rash on the skin. Skin conditions include all medical conditions that irritate, clog, or damage the skin. Though granuloma annulare and ringworm are two different skin conditions, granuloma annulare is often mistaken for ringworm because of the ring-shaped rash that both cause.
The key difference between granuloma annulare and ringworm is their cause. Granuloma annulare is a raised, bumpy, ring-like rash due to an inappropriate response of the immune system to an injury in the skin, while ringworm is a scaly and itchy ring-shaped rash due to an infection of tinea corporis.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Granuloma Annulare
3. What is Ringworm
4. Similarities – Granuloma Annulare and Ringworm
5. Granuloma Annulare vs Ringworm in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Granuloma Annulare and Ringworm
7. Summary – Granuloma Annulare vs Ringworm
What is Granuloma Annulare?
Granuloma annulare is a benign chronic skin disorder that causes a raised, discolored rash or lumps under the skin. The signs and symptoms of granuloma annulare include yellowish or skin-colored to red, firm, thickened bumps, one or several ring-shaped bumps on feet, legs, or hands, eruptions that can be confined to one area or spread to multiple areas, and long-lasting lesions. Moreover, granuloma annulare is caused due to an inappropriate response of the immune system to an injury to the skin. It can also be triggered by animal or insect bites, infections like hepatitis, tuberculin skin tests, sun exposure, minor skin injuries, vaccinations, and medicines.
Figure 01: Granuloma Annulare
Granuloma annulare can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examinations, and skin biopsy. Furthermore, treatment options for granuloma annulare include giving corticosteroids (cream, tape, or injections), liquid nitrogen to freeze the bumps, and using dapsone, retinoids, and niacinamide to control widespread lesions.
What is Ringworm?
Ringworm is a rash caused by a fungal infection. It is also known as tinea corporis. Ringworm commonly spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal. Symptoms may include a scaly, ring-shaped rash on the buttocks, trunk, arms, or legs, itchiness, a clear or scaly center within the ring, slightly raised and expanding rings, or a round, flat patch of itchy skin, and overlapping rings.
Figure 02: Ringworm
Ringworm can be diagnosed through physical examination and skin scrapings from the affected area that can be examined under a microscope. Furthermore, ringworms can be treated through prescription-strength antifungal medications such as lotion, cream, or ointment.
Similarities Between Granuloma Annulare and Ringworm
- Granuloma annulare and ringworm are two skin conditions.
- Both conditions can cause ring-shaped rashes.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through skin biopsies and physical examinations.
- They can be treated by applying topical medications.
Difference Between Granuloma Annulare and Ringworm
Definition
- Granuloma annulare is a skin condition that causes a raised, ring-like, or circinate discolored rash or bumps on the skin due to abnormal immune responses to skin injuries.
- Ringworm is a skin condition that causes an itchy, discolored, ring-shaped rash due to fungal infection.
Contagious Nature
- Granuloma annulare is not contagious.
- Ringworm is contagious.
Long-lasting vs Not Long-lasting
- Granuloma annulare is chronic or long-lasting.
- Ringworm is not usually long-lasting.
Cause
- Granuloma annulare is caused by the immune system, which might have an inappropriate response to an injury to the skin.
- Ringworm is caused by a fungal infection from mold-like parasites that thrive on the cells of the skin’s outer layer.
Signs and Symptoms
- The signs and symptoms of granuloma annulare include small bumps, bumps merging into ring-like patches, red or flesh-colored patches, a rash growing slowly, and a rash that may reach up to 5 centimeters.
- The signs and symptoms of ringworm include itchy or scaly patches that are red, brown, or gray, or raised areas of skin, a round, flat patch of itchy skin, patches that develop into blisters or pustules, patches that resemble a ring, patches with edges that are raised, overlapping rings and hair loss in the affected area of the skin.
Diagnosis
- Granuloma annulare can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, blood test, and skin biopsy.
- Ringworm can be diagnosed through skin biopsy, skin culture, and KOH exam.
Treatment
- The treatment options for granuloma annulare include intralesional application of corticosteroids, such as triamcinolone, cryotherapy, and phototherapy.
- The treatment options for ringworm include OTC medications and antifungal creams containing ingredients such as clotrimazole, miconazole, and terbinafine, as well as washing the bedding and clothing daily to help disinfect the surroundings.
The following table summarizes the difference between granuloma annulare and ringworm.
Summary – Granuloma Annulare vs Ringworm
Granuloma annulare and ringworm are two skin conditions with ring-shaped rashes. Granuloma annulare is not usually itchy or scaly, while ringworm is usually scaly and itchy. Furthermore, granuloma annulare is a benign, non-infectious condition characterized by reddened bumps or patches arranged in a ring-like formation, mainly on the extremities. On the other hand, ringworm is a contagious or infectious condition characterized by patches that may appear pink-to-red or brown-gray, mainly on arms, legs, torso, scalp, and face. This summarizes the difference between granuloma annulare and ringworm.
FAQ: Granuloma Annulare and Ringworm
1. What is the cause of granuloma annulare?
- The exact cause of granuloma annulare is not known, but it is found in patients of all ages. It is believed that granuloma annulare is caused by the immune system, which might have an inappropriate response to an injury to the skin. This condition is sometimes associated with diabetes or thyroid disease.
2. What is the most effective treatment for granuloma annulare?
- The most effective treatment is a corticosteroid injection, which may need to be repeated every 6 to 8 weeks until the condition clears. Applying liquid nitrogen to the affected area can also help remove the bumps. Phototherapy is another effective treatment option.
3. What is the main cause of ringworm?
- Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection. It is caused by common mold-like parasites found on the cells in the outer layer of the human skin. It can spread to healthy people from infected people or animals.
4. How do people know if they have ringworm?
- The signs and symptoms of ringworm may include a scaly, ring-shaped rash on the buttocks, trunk, arms, and legs, along with itchiness. The area inside the ring may be clear or scaly, and the rash can appear red on white skin, or purplish, brown, or gray on black and brown skin.
5. What is the fastest way to cure ringworm?
- The fastest way to treat ringworm is by keeping the area dry and applying prescribed antifungal medications such as creams, ointments, lotions, or powders to the skin for 2 to 4 weeks.
Reference:
1. “Granuloma Annulare.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “Ringworm (Tinea Corporis): What It Looks like, Causes & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Generalized granuloma annulare” By Kreuter et alUploaded by My Core Competency is Competency at en.wikipedia – Kreuter et al. BMC Dermatology 2002 2:5 doi:10.1186/1471-5945-2-5 BioMedCentral Transferred from en.wikipedia by SreeBot (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Ringworm; lesions on inside right wrist, 1905 Wellcome V0010352ER” By Welcome Image Gallery (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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