What is Grover's disease of the skin?

Hi @jbmakos, welcome to Connect.
Here is some information about Grover's disease http://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/grovers-disease/ "Grover's disease is a rare, transient skin disorder that consists of small, firm, raised red lesions, most often on the skin of the chest and back."

I'm tagging @shirlwpb @cindylou on this message as they have asked questions about Grover's in the past too.

@jbmakos, have you been diagnosed with Grover's disease?

American College of Medicine describes it as: Grover's disease (transient acantholytic dermatosis) is a condition that appears suddenly as itchy red spots on the trunk, most often in older men. Minor cases of Grover's disease may be rather common. Sometimes the features of Grover's are found in people who do not itch or have a conspicuous rash. I would add that for many, the itch is severe and the condition can greatly lessen your quality of life. For some it is "transient" and resolves in 6 months to a year. But for many it can last for years.

I got my shingles shots last July and September, waiting 10 weeks between shots. I subsequently came down with Grovers disease. I am 99% positive that the shots were the cause. Absolutely NOTHING works to relieve the itching. For me the only effective remedy, to a small degree, is Motrin. NOTHING else, despite all the prescribed medicines, pills and sprays prescribed by my Dermatologist. I believe, had I waited for 4 months, I may have avoided it.

Sorry for your discomfort-- I have had this for years and found no relief. Doctors say "no cure". Have tried many topicals and recently I generously applied over the counter Witch Hazel solution twice daily= symptoms are gone!

Elderly1 I have had Grover's Disease now for several months and so far no relief. Nighttime is the worst causing me to lose many hours of sleep. Even during the day I constantly itch thus scratch. I saw your post and I am willing to try anything! Please tell me if you used Witch Hazel full strength or did you cut it with something like water or? And how soon after treatment did you find relief?

I was about to update my findings -- I was annoyed with itching and rash for twenty years until ~4 mos. ago applied Witch Hazel ( 14% alcohol, full strength , liberally twice daily and took a week or two for relief. Thought it might be a cure, but recently began itching with gradual evidence of rash and am back to the WH. Looking back, wonder if my relief came at close to the cycle downturn? ( usually good for unknown number of months-- then symptoms return for unknown period and repeats.Ruled out seasonal or environmental influences. Perhaps I should have continued with the treatment after relief? Anyway, I am thankful for the help with the itching and will post as situation changes. Generous for Mayo to support such a convenient venue! Hope this may lend some help.

Report GD as possible reaction to shingles shot. I did. If we don’t tell them there might be a connection, they’ll never know

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Hi califd, welcome to the Skin Health group and this discussion about Grover's disease. You have joined a community of knowledgeable and supportive members like @kimass1 @ccamargo82 @nodgabnoj @mnitchke and @gardeningjunkie. You may also be interested in reading more posts in this related discussion started in 2016 and still going strong with over 1200 messages:
- Grover's Disease: What works to help find relief? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/grovers-disease-247ffc/

Califd, when were you diagnosed with Grover's disease? What helps you?

The majority of us with GD have active and dormant periods. For you to have to deal with this constantly for 20 years is awful. GD or Grover's Disease or Transient Acantholytic Dermatitis, TAD (the preferred medical name) is named such because it is transient, it comes and goes for most of us. Yet some only have one outbreak. There is no proven cure, some treatments help with the itching, but I tried them all and nothing helped put it into dormancy, it had to run it's cycle I would have to wait out my six month active period, then have a 6 month dormant period.
When I was active I did use witch hazel and it would sting a bit but felt refreshing and it is anti-bacterial.
Cilantro seems to help about half of us, it is not even referred to in any eczema sites as a treatment to put us into remission and I do wish a documented study would take place so others could learn about this. Even if a scientific study is not taken, it should be mentioned as a possible treatment.