User:Mr. Ibrahem/Pyoderma gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a skin disease which generally begins as a small bump that expands into an ulcer which progressively grows. The ulcers have well defined borders and are often painful. While the legs are often affected, lesions may form anywhere. It may begin in the area of a minor injury.

The cause is unknown, though believed to be autoinflammatory. It may be associated with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cancer including leukemia, and certain drugs and medications. It is not infectious. Diagnosis is based on symptoms after ruling out other possible causes.

Treatments may include corticosteroids, ciclosporin, infliximab, or canakinumab. Once healing has begun, skin grafting may be carried out. Without treatment the ulcers may grow, stabilize, or gradually heal. Despite treatment healing may take months and a scar may remain.

About 1 per 100,000 people are newly affected per year in the United States. Among those with IBD, about 2% are affected. Women are more commonly affected than men. Those between 20 to 50 years of age are most commonly affected. The disease was first identified in 1930.