Pyogenic granuloma is a relatively common skin growth. It is usually a small red, oozing and bleeding bump that looks like raw hamburger meat. It often seems to follows a minor injury and grows rapidly over a period of a few weeks to an average size of a half an inch. The head, neck, upper trunk and hands and feet are the most commonly sites.

Pyogenic granuloma can occur at any age, but is least common in the very young and the very old. It is seen most often in children, pregnant women and those taking the drugs Indinavir, Soriatane, Accutane and oral contraceptives.

Alternate Names : Lobular Capillary Hemangioma

Causes of Pyogenic Granuloma

Pyogenic Granuloma are caused by the capillaries (tiny blood vessels in the skin) growing rapidly forming a lump.Dermatologits believe this is an abnormal healing response to a minor skin injury.

Viral infection is possible but not proven
Underlying microscopic blood vessel malformations
Hormonal influences: they occur in up to 5% of pregnancies and are rarely associated with oral contraceptives.

Symptoms of Pyogenic Granuloma

Small red vascular lump that bleeds easily
Often occurs at site of recent trauma
Seen most frequently on hands, arms, and face

At first the lesions may be about the size of a pinhead. They may grow rapidly up to 1 cm in size.

Diagnosed of Pyogenic Granuloma

The diagnosis of pyogenic granuloma is usually based on a physical exam. A biopsy of the skin and tissue at the site may be done to rule out other causes for the skin lesion.

Treatment of Pyogenic Granuloma

Pyogenic granuloma lesions may be removed with surgery. The surgeon makes an incision into the skin and removes the granuloma or takes a biopsy sample of it.
Pyogenic granuloma is treated by conservative surgical excision with removal of potential traumatic or infective etiologic factors.
Electrocautery is another way to remove the lesion, using heat.
Chemical cauterisation using silver nitrate is convenient.

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