Definition
Pyoderma gangränosum (also called Dermatitis ulcerosa) is an often very painful inflammatory disease of the skin. It often occurs in connection with autoimmune diseases. A typical site of skin affection is the front edges of the shin bone.
It usually begins with skin changes that can be raised (papules) and also with blisters, which can also be filled with pus and are then called pustules. As the disease progresses, ulcers of the skin (also called ulcers) develop. If the tissue in the center of the ulcer dies off, this is called central necrosis. The transition to normal (unaffected) skin is usually severely reddened, swollen and appears as raised as a rampart.
Causes of Pyoderma gangraenosum
The origin of a Pyoderma gangraenosum is not completely understood. However, it is clear that this is not an infection by microorganisms. The skin change often occurs in connection with autoimmune diseases.
Especially people who already suffer from ulcerative colitis tend to develop these ulcers. In fact, about five percent of patients with ulcerative colitis develop pyoderma gangänosum. In contrast, only one percent of Crohn’s disease patients develop such skin disease. Furthermore, a pyoderma gangraenosum can also occur in connection with rheumatoid arthritis or chronic bronchitis. It should also be noted that the skin change can occur after injuries, such as surgery.
Diagnosis of Pyoderma gangraenosum
The diagnosis of Pyoderma gangraenosum is usually made clinically. This means on the basis of the changes that can be seen on the skin. It is always taken into account to what extent these symptoms change in the course of the disease.
In this clinical picture it is also important to exclude an infection of the skin by microorganisms such as bacteria. For this purpose, a smear can be taken from the wound or a colonization of the blood by blood cultures can be excluded. In rare cases, a microscopic examination of a tissue sample can be performed, but this is only useful in the early stages of Pyoderma gangraenosum.
All articles in this series:
