What is Pyogenic Granulomas?
A Pyogenic Granuloma is a benign (noncancerous) growth of blood vessels on the skin or mucous membranes. It usually appears as a red, moist, and easily bleeding bump that may be triggered by injury, infection, hormones, or medications. It can occur anywhere on the body, but is more common on the face, mouth, hands, and feet.
What are the signs and symptoms of Pyogenic Granulomas?
Some signs and symptoms of Pyogenic Granuloma are:
- A small red lump on the skin or mucous membranes that bleeds easily.
- Often found at the site of a recent injury, infection, hormonal change, or medication use.
- Grows rapidly over a few weeks, usually reaching 5–10 mm in diameter.
- May be smooth or mushroom-shaped, with a moist surface.
- May range in color from red to pink or purple, depending on the age of the lesion.
- May be tender or painful, especially if located in the mouth or genitals.
What treatments are available at the dermatologist for Pyogenic Granulomas?
Some treatments that are available at the dermatologist for pyogenic granulomas are:
- Surgery: This involves cutting off the lesion and stitching the wound. This method has a low recurrence rate, but may leave a scar.
- Cryotherapy: This involves freezing the lesion with liquid nitrogen. This method is less invasive than surgery, but may cause pain, blistering, and pigmentation changes.
- Laser therapy: This involves using a laser beam to destroy the lesion. This method is effective and cosmetically appealing, but may be expensive and require multiple sessions.
- Topical medications: These include chemicals such as silver nitrate, phenol and trichloroacetic acid (TCA), or ointments containing corticosteroids. These help shrink or dry up the lesion, but may cause irritation, inflammation, or infection.
FAQ About Pyogenic Granulomas
How is a pyogenic granuloma treated?
A doctor can usually diagnose a pyogenic granuloma based on its appearance. Sometimes, a biopsy (a small sample of tissue) may be taken to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions.
How can pyogenic granuloma be prevented or reduced in frequency?
There is no sure way to prevent or reduce the frequency of pyogenic granulomas. However, some possible measures that may help are avoiding trauma or irritation to the skin or mucous membranes (such as wearing gloves when handling sharp objects or maintaining good oral hygiene), treating any underlying infections or hormonal imbalances (such as using antibiotics for staph infections or adjusting birth control pills), and discontinuing any medications that may trigger or worsen the condition (such as antineoplastics, antiretrovirals, immunosuppressants, or retinoids).
How does pregnancy affect the development and management of pyogenic granuloma?
Pregnancy can increase the risk of developing pyogenic granulomas due to hormonal changes. Pyogenic granulomas that occur during pregnancy are often called pregnancy tumors or epulis gravidarum. They usually appear on the gums, but can also occur on other parts of the body. They tend to grow rapidly during the first and second trimesters, and may shrink or disappear after delivery. However, some may persist or recur after pregnancy. Treatment of pyogenic granulomas during pregnancy may be delayed or modified to avoid harming the mother or the fetus.
Is a pyogenic granuloma a tumor?
A pyogenic granuloma is a tumor made up of abnormal blood vessels, but it is not cancerous.
Is there a dermatologist near me in St. Louis that offers treatment for Pyogenic Granulomas?
Yes. At our St. Louis dermatology office we offer treatment for Pyogenic Granulomas to patients from St. Louis and the surrounding area. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.