Pyoderma Gangrenosum: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

There are no synonyms for Pyoderma Gangrenosum, but it’s often referred to as as PG.

PV is a rare condition that causes large, painful ulcers on your skin, most often on your legs. There is no exact cause for PG. People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, are at higher risk of PG. It's a serious condition that can progress quickly, so it's important to get it diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Early treatment can also help reduce the risk of scarring. Treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum is aimed at reducing inflammation, controlling pain and promoting wound healing. Depending on the size and depth of your skin ulcers, it can take weeks or months for them to heal, often with scarring. There is no specific blood test for PG. But you may have to take variety of tests to confirm if you are affected by the syndrome. A sample of your blood can be tested for evidence of infection, liver or kidney problems, and rheumatoid arthritis, among other conditions. A skin biopsy involves removing a small sample of the affected skin so that it can be viewed under a microscope. An examination of your colon can check for inflammatory bowel disease. A CT scan or chest X-ray may be used to check for deep infection or inflammation.

Some people heal very slowly, over months or years. Others may find the condition clears up within a few weeks. In some cases, it returns after treatment. There are a number of treatment options, but there's no clear evidence to suggest which the best one is. Strong steroid creams or ointments are applied on and around ulcers either daily or every. Alternatively, steroids like triamcinolone and corticosteroid can be injected, if the ulcers are severe. Depending on the extent of your wounds, you may benefit from pain medication, especially when dressings are being changed .Regular dressings may need to be applied to soak up any discharge and help retain the creams applied to the wound. Any severely damaged tissue should be gently removed by a doctor or nurse.

Because pyoderma gangrenosum can be made worse by cuts to the skin, surgery to remove dead tissue is not usually considered a good treatment option. Trauma to the skin may worsen existing ulcers or trigger new ones. Pyoderma gangrenosum is thought to be caused by an overactive immune system. Immunosuppressants are able to reduce pain and help the ulcers to heal. However, immunosuppressants can have unpleasant side effects, and need to be given and monitored by a specialist.

Men and women of all ages can take up the treatment.

As there is no particular treatment, the medication should be supervised by the doctor.

The long-term use of steroids is associated with serious side effects such as bone thinning (osteoporosis), so, they need to be used with caution.

There is no way to prevent this medical condition. If the scientists manage to identify the underlying cause, they may be able to propose efficient means of prevention. Until then, the only things patients are left with is treatment they are due to follow according to doctor's orders and skin trauma and injuries they are supposed to avoid as much as possible.

The progression of the disease varies from person to person – it may suddenly clear up, stay the same for months or years, or slowly heal over many months. Treatment usually stops it getting worse. Some people have flare-ups after the slightest injury or for no apparent reason, and it may recur.

Medications for PG range between Rs.50 to Rs.200.

The treatment can't be assured as permanent. You may need to take medications regularly till the wound disappears.