How is PG Treated?

The treatment of PG is very patient specific; what works for one patient may not work for your PG. The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation, manage pain, heal wounds, and prevent new wounds. Treatments usually involve a combination of topical and/or oral medications and wound care. 

Types of treatment: 

Topical Treatments: These medications are applied directly to the skin and are often used for more superficial and smaller ulcers or in combination with systemic treatments.

• Corticosteroids help calm inflammation 
• Calcineurin inhibitors (like tacrolimus) reduce immune response 
• Antibiotics are used if there are signs of infection

Systemic Treatments: These medications work throughout your entire body. They are often used for more severe or widespread cases. 

• If infection is present
  • Oral antibiotics
• To reduce immune response 
  • Immunosuppressants like prednisone, methotrexate, cyclosporine, or azathioprine
  • Immunomodulators like dapsone, colchicine, or IVIG
  • Biologics like infliximab or IL-23 inhibitors that target specific parts of the immune system

Wound Care: Proper wound care is a crucial part of healing.

• Gentle cleaning and dressing changes 
• Special wound dressings 
• Support from a wound care nurse or clinic 
• Use of compression 
• Debridement may be used to remove dead tissue when the inflammation has decreased

Key Take Away: Finding the right treatment takes time and often involves trial and error.