Pyogenic Granuloma

What is Pyogenic Granuloma

Pyogenic granuloma is a growth (lesion) that forms on the skin or on the mucous membranes of the mouth. This type of growth is a lump of very red tissue that bleeds easily. A pyogenic granuloma is usually a single lesion that most often affects:

  • The head and neck.
  • The mucous membranes of the mouth or tongue.
  • The upper body.
  • The hands and feet.

A pyogenic granuloma usually measures about 0.5 inch (1.3 cm), but lesions can be smaller or larger. This condition does not spread from person to person (is not contagious). The lesion is not cancerous (benign).

What are the causes?

A pyogenic granuloma results from a reaction of your skin or mucous membranes. The reaction causes a mound of tiny blood vessels (capillaries) to form a lesion. This often happens after a minor injury, like pricking your skin or biting your lip or tongue. Sometimes it occurs without an injury. The exact cause of the reaction is not known.

What increases the risk?

The condition is more likely to develop in:

  • Pregnant women.
  • Children and young adults.
  • People who take certain medicines, especially acne treatment drugs, birth control pills, and some medicines used to treat cancer or HIV/AIDS.

What are the signs or symptoms?

The main symptom of this condition is a raised or lumpy lesion that is very red. The lesion may also:

  • Have a crusty, ulcerated surface.
  • Bleed easily.
  • Be slightly sore.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on your symptoms and medical history, especially if you recently had an injury. Your health care provider will also do a physical exam. Your health care provider may remove a small piece of the granuloma for testing (biopsy) to rule out cancer.

How is this treated?

A small lesion may go away without treatment. You may have to stop or change any medicines that caused the lesion. Pyogenic granulomas caused by pregnancy usually go away after delivery.

If your legion is large, irritated, or bleeds easily, you may need to have the lesion removed. This may involve:

  • Scraping away the lesion (curettage).
  • Using chemicals or electric energy to destroy the lesion.
  • Removing the lesion along with a small piece of normal skin or mucous membrane (surgical excision). This is the best treatment to prevent the lesion from coming back.

Follow these instructions at home:

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You have a fever.
  • Your lesion bleeds.
  • Your lesion comes back after treatment.
15585

Sign up to receive the trending updates and tons of Health Tips

Join SeekhealthZ and never miss the latest health information

15856