The Mystery of Granuloma Annulare: Part II - A Photo Essay

By Braiden Rex-Johnson

The skin is the largest organ in the body. And when something in the body’s largest organ goes awry, it can create havoc in a patient’s life.

I suffer from a skin disorder called Granuloma Annulare (GA). It is characterized by red circles, raised spots, pink and purple patches, crusty plaques, and subcutaneous bumps.

Parts of my body look like that of a burn victim; others areas like a leopard. I liken my skin to a Modernist painting.

For the most part, I try to hide myself from neck to ankles under long-sleeved shirts and full-length pants whenever I leave the house.

But out of the ugliness of GA can come beauty when photos of the bumps and patches are turned into watercolor-like “paintings.” If you look hard enough and let your imagination run free, you can discover a fascinating collection of objects among the patches and lumps on the landscape of my ever-changing skin.

Here is The Calm Before the Storm.

And this is Bunny Rabbit.

Here is Africa.

This one is entitled The Continents.

And, finally, the vivid hues of Violaceous.