Pyoderma gangrenosum
How pyoderma gangrenosum is treated
Pyoderma gangrenosum is treatable, but may take some time to heal. Theres no clear evidence to suggest what the best treatment is, but the main treatments are outlined below.
Care of the wound
Dressings may need to be applied regularly to soak up any discharge and help retain the creams applied to the wound.Any severely damagedtissue should be gently removed bya doctor or nurse.
Creams, ointmentsor injections
Strong steroid creamsor ointments are applied on and around ulcers daily or on alternate days. They often help the ulcers heal quickly, particularly if they are small and diagnosed early.
Alternatively, the steroid medication triamcinolone may be injected into the edge of the ulcer. In more severe cases, steroid medication may be injected into a vein (intravenously).
Tacrolimus ointmenthas also proved useful in treating pyoderma gangrenosum ulcers.
Steroid tablets
Most people with pyoderma gangrenosum willneed to take steroid tablets such asprednisolone, either on their own or with antibiotics such as dapsone or minocycline. These reduceinflammation and help the ulcers to heal.
However, the long-term use of steroids is associated with serious side effects such as bone thinning ( osteoporosis ), so they need to be used with caution.
However,immunosuppressants can have unpleasant side effects and will need to be given and monitored by a specialist. They're not currently licensed for the treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare skin condition that causes painful ulcers. It's usually treatable, but may take some time to heal and may leave some scarring.
When to seek medical advice
You should seek medical advice as soon as possible if you think you may have developed pyoderma gangrenosum. Either see your GP or contact your care team if you have one of the conditions mentioned be
Who is affected
Pyoderma gangrenosumis seen in men and women of any age, but usually affects young and middle-aged adults. People with the following health conditions are particularly susceptible: inflammatory b
What causes pyoderma gangrenosum?
The exact cause of pyoderma gangrenosum is not understood, but it's thought to be areaction to a disease or illness, such as the health conditions listed above. However, about halfof all peoplewith p
Diagnosing pyoderma gangrenosum
There is no specificblood test for pyoderma gangrenosum. If your doctor thinks you might have the condition, they may take a sample of your skin (a biopsy ) to examine under the microscope in a labor
How pyoderma gangrenosum is treated
Pyoderma gangrenosum is treatable, but may take some time to heal. Theres no clear evidence to suggest what the best treatment is, but the main treatments are outlined below. Care of the wound Dress
Outlook
In many people with pyoderma gangrenosum, the ulcers heal with relatively simple treatments. However, some scarring in the affected area is common. The progression of the condition varies from person
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