The term “annular” comes from “annulus” (Latin) which means ringed. Annular skin lesions appear as circular or ovoid macules or patches with an erythematous periphery and a central clearing.
Differential Diagnoses of Annular Skin Lesions
Tinea corporis
Pityriasis rosea (herald patch)
Granuloma annulare
Urticaria
Xerotic eczema
Erythema multiforme
Psoriasis
Nummular eczema
Seborrheic dermatitis
Arthropod bites
MRSA cellulitis
Cellulitis (strep, MSSA)
Annular and gyrate erythemas
Vasculitis
Henoch-Schonlein purpura
Lupus erythematosus (subacute cutaneous lupus)
Annular lichen planus
Erythema annulare centrifugum
Erythema chronicum migrans (Lyme disease)
Secondary syphilis
Sarcoidosis (Cutaneous lesions)
Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet Syndrome)
Annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma
Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis
Id (autoeczematous) reactions
Kawasaki’s disease
Eruptive xanthomas
Eruptive histiocytomas
Erythema marginatum (Rheumatic fever)
Porokeratosis
Linear IgA bullous dermatosis
Leprosy (Hansen’s disease)
Further Reading
Am Fam Physician. 2001 Jul 15;64(2):289-297. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0715/p289.html