Pyoderma Gangrenosum – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

What is Pyoderma Gangrenosum?

Pyoderma Gangrenosum is a severe disease of Skin. It is a painful abscess or lump that breaks down and then become Ulcer that gets enlarge.

The Pyoderma Gangrenosum is linked to the manner in which Ulcers emerge and look like. They appear on the surface that is Purulent and its edges are Blue-Black in shade.

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About 30% of the patients that may get this condition have history of serious pain on the surface of Skin. Pyoderma Gangrenosum cannot distinguish between this and other Skin conditions that may lead to the similar symptoms. The other Skin conditions may include infections like Vasculitis, Trauma, Diabetes Skin problems, Malignancy and Collagen Vascular Diseases.

Types of Pyoderma Gangrenosum

There are 2 main types of Pyoderma Gangrenousm

1. The Classic Pyoderma Gangrenosum
2. The Atypical Pyoderma Gangrenosum

The Classic Pyoderma Gangrenosum is mostly developed in the legs. The Atypical Pyoderma Gangrenosum develops on Hands.

1. Classic Pyoderma Gangrenosum

   This condition is identified by the Ulceration having Violaceous border, which changes in most of the cases.If the Classic Pyoderma Gangrenosum emerges around Stomach then it is known as Peristomal Pyoderma Gangrenosum.The Peristomal Pyoderma Gangrenosum may be puzzled with the injuries that are caused by the appliance.

2. Atypical Pyoderma Gangrenosum

   This condition is identified by the juicy Vesiculopustular element. These lesions are erosive at the borders and the upper part is affected with the Ulcer. Mostly these Lesions may occur on Hands. It may also develop on the Face or the outer parts of fore Arms.

   This kind of Pyoderma Gangrenosum may also develop on the Genital parts. The Pyoderma Gangrenosum that develops on the male Penis is known as Penile Pyoderma Gangrenosum.

   The kind of Pyoderma Gangrenosum that occurs on the female Genital part is known as Vulvar Pyoderma Gangrenosum. This disease is different from diseases that are transmitted sexually and it can be confused with other Skin conditions. People suffering from Crohn disease may have chance to suffer from Scrotum Pyoderma Gangrenosum.

   The intraoral kind of Pyoderma Gangrenosum is also known as Pyostomatitis Vegetans. It is mostly found in the patients who suffer from Inflammatory Bowel disease. Sometimes Extracutaneous Neutrophilic disease is also found that is caused in the Liver, Bones and Lungs.

   People suffering from this disease may also suffer from Neutrophilic wounds. The Gastro Intestinal Tract, Heart, Eyes and the Central Nervous system may also contribute in this disease.

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Causes of Pyoderma Gangrenosum

The correct causes of this condition are not known but it is believed that Immune system is deregulated in common and changes in the Neutrophil Chemotaxis can lead to this situation. Disturbance on the Skin of such patients can cause wounds and lesions, which are really difficult to heal again.

In most of the cases, the Gangrenosum Pyoderma emerges at the place of previous injury, wound or other Skin infections.

Most of the patients can differentiate between this and other Skin conditions, the symptoms of this condition are quite different. The wounds in this condition heal very slowly.

These wounds cause Purplish or Bluish fluids and are extremely smelly.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum and Death

This condition can rarely lead to death but it can lead to death. Pyoderma Gangrenosum does not directly lead to death but complications that are linked to this disease become cause of death.

Death can occur due to the different therapies that are used to treat Pyoderma Gangrenosum, this type of treatments may involve many medical processes and other drugs. Most of the patients may experience pain and they may use Narcotics to decrease it.

This condition can lead to the difficulty of healing of wounds particularly after surgeries like construction of Breast and Face uplifting.

Risks for the Attack by Pyoderma Gangrenosum

Pyoderma Gangresnosum can affect any person of any age but it is mostly find in people being 40 years or older.

Sometimes children are also affected due to this disease and it makes about 3-4% of total cases.

Adults and teenagers both are affecting due to this disease. The American races are found to be equally affected by this disease. This disease can affect people of all the sexes but its prevalence is higher in women.

Symptoms of Pyoderma Gangrenosum

The first symptom of Pyoderma Gangrenosum appears if any insect has bitten. It may then build up as a wound that may fill up with pus; this wound may become bigger getting the shape of Ulcerative Pyoderma Gangrenosum. Most of the patients consider it a bite of insects including Scorpio or Spider.

Some people may suffer from pain and may complian about Malaise and pain in the body’s joints.

The Pyoderma Ganrenosum can be developed by the conditions like Diabetes or Lupus. If this disease is caused by some unknown conditions then the treatment of Pyoderma Gangrenousm should include treatment of lesions and other conditions that may enhance it. Most of the patients suffering from this disease may build up other systemic diseases.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum is closely linked but is not caused by the Crohn disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Regional Enteritis and Inflammatory Bowel disease.  This disease is also linked to the Polayrthritis, which is identified by the pain in Joints. This disease is also linked with the disorders including Gammopathies and Leukemia. It is suggested that people suffering this disease should go for proper medical checkup of this condition. The symptoms of related diseases contribute in the enhancement.

Diagnosis of Pyoderma Gangrenosum

If you are suffering from the symptoms of this disease, you should consult a Dermatologist. Early diagnosis and appropriate medical treatment is best for the cure.

There are many home remedies available for this disease but it is recommended that you should take proper treatment and care from any doctor. Doctors should take tests of all the obvious and the hidden causes of this disease.

Treatment of Pyoderma Gangrenosum

This condition is not life threatening but the patients are suggested to consult a Dermatologist for best diagnosis and treatment. The cultures of Ulcers or Lesions found in these conditions are taken for checking the presence of any infection.

Biopsy is also done sometimes for the diagnosis of this condition and other hidden causes.

If any infection is also contributing to this condition then patients should be given right treatment. If this condition is caused by any Bactria, patients should not be given Antibiotics. If the only cause of this disease is Bacteria then Antibiotics may not help in the treatment.

Treatment for the Small Lesions of Pyoderma Gangrenosum

The tiny or not very severe Pyoderma Gangrenousm is treated as follows

• Injections
• Streroid creams
• Compression bandage
• Anti-inflammatory medicines, which can be taken orally
• Creams are directly applied on the Ulcers.
• Dressing done with the sue of Hydrocolloids or Silver Sulphadiazine cream

Treatment for the Bigger Lesions of Pyoderma Gangrenosum

The larger Lesions are treated with the strong therapies consisting of 1 or more of the following things

1. Corticosteroids

   It is the best treatment for this disease. It is very efficient if it is given as required. They can perform to prevent the buildup of new Lesions. Sometimes high doses of Corticosteroids are nodded for the treatment.

   A normal patient is given 60 to 200 Milligrams of dose per day. Pulse Therapy is done by injecting 1 Gram of Methylprednisolone Intravenously for 3 to 5 days in the treatment.

2. Drugs

   Drugs are also used for the treatment of this condition. Drugs are quite efficient in treating this disease.

3. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

   Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is also used for the treatment of Pyoderma Gangrenosum.

4. Surger

   Surger is also an effective way to treat this disease. It is more effective if used with the Immunosuppressant medicines.

5. Skin Graft

   skin Grafts are also used to fix the damaged tissues of Skin.

Prevention of Pyoderma Gangrenosum

The exact causes of Pyoderma Gangrenosum are not known so it is not possible to avoid this.

Prevention of Pyoderma Gangrenosum in United States:

This disease is rare in United States. It occurs in only 100,000 people per year.

Complications of Pyoderma Gangrenosum

If this condition is not treated well, the lesions and wounds can become larger and deeper. They can also lead to the swelling of the affected parts of body. Patients may also suffer from swelling of the Lymph Nodes and numbness of Hands and Legs, which are affected.

The patients may also suffer from pain and smell from the discharge of affected area. Once a wound is healed but the scar is left on the body part. You may lose sense of touch at the affected part. A complication is also the development of infections that are caused by the treatment of this disease.

Some patients are given antibiotics after the treatment to prevent the diseases that may be caused by Bacteria. It can bring problems in Heart, Eyes and other parts of body.

This disease sometimes also affect the children, if this disease caused in the children, they can buildup more complications than adults suffering from this disease.

The success of treatment of this disease depends on various factors including health, age and extent of disease. The doctors then diagnose the case separately. The complete cure may take weeks, months or to several years.
Medical observations tell about the recurrence of this disease. 50% of patients may have chance to suffer from this disease again. Patients may develop complications due to the treatment of Pyoderma Gangrenosum having hidden conditions like Diabetes, High Blood Pressure or Lupus that can enhance this disease even further.

If you or anyone around you is suffering from this disease, you should urgently consult a doctor for better treatment.