Grover's Disease: What works to help find relief?

Yeah, true.

Weirdly my body is showing signs of healing, whether it was Grover's or a hive like reaction to milk / and / or Celery, I don't know. In the past I would make veg smoothies and my body / face would weep like crazy, I blamed it on the Spinich, but it might have been the Celery?

I have been showeriing once a day in slighly warmer than luke warm and using strong steroid cream. My body wouldn't heal before though using this cream and if it did, the eczema returned and spread to other places, so why is it healing now? I have no idea. Cutting out milk? Cutting out Celery? Cooler temprature? Did the Cilantro bring toxins out of my body or am I allergic to it?

I had oral steroids and antibiotics (two different ones) in the last few months, and the eczema took forever to heal and it returned and spread to other areas. I say eczema because I don't know if it is atopic eczema or Grover's (eczema.) It looked like Grover's BUT it could have been hives. I will see if it continues to heal.

My face is another story, it goes red, rashy and tight before cutting and weeping and gets infected with staph. It does this several times a week. Any moisturizer usually brings it on, whether I am allergic to all moisturisers or whether it is stopping my skin from breathing, I don't know. I have patch tests scheduled for Oct.

I hope stopping the milk and Celery, plus stopping the Cilantro (Corriander) is the answer, but it probably won't be that simple, knowing ezcema.

Managing GD (sunburn feeling with occasional chills and prickled feeling but not distracting most of the time, rarely see redness or bumps) with Claritin 24-hour allergy at night, Zyrtec 24-hour allergy in morning (generic for both), warm shower with Aveeno Stress Relief body wash, fresh cilantro smoothie every morning, CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Lotion morning and night as needed, Gold Bond Extra Strength Body Powder, Anti-Itch, Menthol 0.8% as needed and CVS Burn Relief aloe gel with lidocaine when needed to relieve burning. 74-year-old male, GD diagnosed 3 years ago, put in remission with steroid cream prescription until January 2024 at which time I thought it was dry skin, but after 3-4 months dermatologist figured out it was related to the GD. The steroid cream is effective, but I am unwilling to continue this long-term. She recommended no more aggressive treatment if what I'm doing keeps me sane--thank God, it is...

Have you tried cilantro smoothies? They worked for me.

It sounds like you may have multiple forms of eczema. I have lived with 3 in the last 20 years but because of testing, avoidances, specialists and self education I am clear of all 3. Yet I don't have Atopic or Dysidrotic Eczema. Yes all forms can be chronic, but with those 2 seem very difficult to manage.
Why can't you get the 5 Day Extended Patch Test sooner? Both allergist's and dermatologist's can be licenced for this test. Yet there is a scarcity of doctors licensed for these tests in many areas.
Many swear by Diflucan, reportedly very helpful for Atopic Dermatitis, is that a consideration.
Stop all moisturizers except Vaseline or another pure petroleum until you get your test results. Get a bar soap with 1 or 2 ingredients like Grandma's Lye Bar Soap, simply lard and lye and the lye converts to glycerin in the soap making process. Free of preservatives, fragrance, SLS for lather and all the other often allergic additives in most soap.
I am allergic to one class of steroids which carries over to 2 other classes. There are 5 classes of steroids. I learned this from my patch test. Also any steroids on the face can trigger Perioral Eczema, a facial eczema, which I had in the past, however the description of your facial symptoms doesn't sound like Perioral. Google dermnetnz.org for amazing photos of this form and all other types of skin diseases. Very helpful for identification.
You have learned that steroids are only a treatment and can give great relief and put symptoms' in remission temporarily. They are not a cure or will stop the symptoms' from returning.
See an allergist to be tested about food allergies. I had that done by a blood test and was pleasantly surprised my painful gut issues were not tied to food allergies. I finally tracked down the culprit. I was taking a the daily dose, 2 scoops of Vital Proteins Bovine Collagen, (cow hide) evidently too much fiber for me. I dropped it to 1/2 scoop and am just fine. I may try to up it to 1 scoop as it does help with my hair and nails.
Remember to fill us in on your October patch test results, we learn so much from each other.

Well, after months of remission, my GD is back. It first started on my lower back near my spine. It wasn't much more than a relatively mild outbreak, very manageable. I now have it on both sides of my abdomen, and it is very unpleasant. I had thought that taking the Cilantro oil was doing the trick, but at this point who knows? Having had this disease for over six years, I have learned that it is totally unpredictable. If things don't clear up soon, it will be back to fresh Cilantro smoothies. I have often espoused the effectiveness of ice packs in at least pausing the misery. I will say it again. For me ice is a savior. Without my little ice pack, I would go nuts.

I also wear mostly cotton now due to my excema (which I have alongside Grovers). Thank you for these websites. Last winter I discovered State of Cotton for beautiful thick sweaters to replace my wool and cashmere - they are expensive but great quality.
I'm guessing I also have chemical allergies. Really need to look into it.
On top of the Grovers and excema, I have had almost 20 basal and squamous cell cancers removed, so that is always what I always focus on when I'm at the derm. But I need to tackle the excema too, which has a sluggish response to creams. I have basically given up on Grovers as it doesn't respond to any creams and it's fairly mild if I stay cool and don't put anything abrasive on or chemical on it.

Nodjabnoj- You are a major part of the GD community and so helpful keeping us informed of treatments and results.
I am truly sorry you are going through another major breakout. I know you like most detest blending fresh cilantro and let us know if it helps.
I am certain summer heat with the sweat triggers GD. I started getting a few papuales on my lower back and bought a few bunches of cilantro which can make about 4 daily blended drinks. I just blend it with some water and chug it down without breathing. Call it a tonic. I'm clear again, but I also took a break from outdoor activities.
Glad the ice packs give some relief. Know we're thinking of you.

I assume you've tried blending fresh or fresh frozen cilantro. That worked for me and haven't had any major issues in 5 years. I get a few papuales and start on the cilantro again for a few days. Have you had the 5 Day Extended Patch Test for Allergic Contact Dermatitis, ACD, an allergic form of eczema. Like you I have both ACD and GD.
Thanks for the tip on State of Cotton. I have a few good sources too.
Have you shopped at Cottonique? Among my ACD allergies I am allergic to all blended materials. So elastics are out for me. On this site you can find quality soft cotton for underwear. Of course temper your expectations. Bras must be seamed and have drawstrings or adjustable straps. However these bras would not be suitable if you are large breasted. Same with panties. They have heavy duty quality cotton socks that work well, not pretty. Buster Brown makes a nice, cute 100 cotton lightweight sock, but they wear out quickly. LifeKind, a pricey source for bedding and linens has my favorite 100 cotton blanket, wonderful for summers. Super high quality. Ridiculously priced, but white sale times they also mark down their quality products and I add to my collection. These cottons simply don't wear out. The White Cotton Gown makes my favorite night gowns. Very soft, I wear all seasons. If it's colder out I wear an 100 cotton t-shirt, long sleeve or short sleeve, under them and I like to order a size up for that reason. Good value overall and they last forever.
Grover's never responded to any topicals, px or otc for me either. Steroids topical or injected did nothing. A complete waste of money, but at least they gave me temporary hope.
I'm writing this free of all forms of eczema which I had for years, so keep educating yourself and don't limit yourself to one dermatologist or allergist.

Thank you for these tips! I will definitely do a patch test - never knew about that. I'm an allergic person so this will probably be enlightening. (I have been doing immunotherapy shots for my dust/mold/animal dander allergies for a few years now and it has helped so much - not my skin but asthma and rhinitis etc.) I do think my cilantro oil ~ which I take every day ~ is helping the Grovers. I have also been taking a bunch of anti inflammatory / anti oxidant supplements like quercetin and curcumin in addition to Omega 3, Vit D and magnesium. I think the consistency of those plus the cilantro (and possibly also cutting out most sugars) have helped. I still always have the little white grovers dormant bumps - and they only act up when/if I sweat (like biking or hiking in the hot sun which I do occasionally anyway!), rub them or put anything on them other than the gentlest creams. I just bought a lounge wear set from Cottonique - thank you! Your advice is always so helpful.

Study on the internet about the 5 Day Extended Patch Test, yes it is a full 5 days unlike the environmental test you have already had. I've had the True Test 5 Day Test twice. The kit is extensive, around $1,500 but Medicare covered it based upon my severe symptoms.
Once tested you will be given an id # so you can go to the ACDS Camp list program on which your doctor will have you registered with all your allergen's. This Camp list is updated every year and it lists products which do not contain your allergen's. It's a good starting place. It's the only reason I've actually found certain make up and grooming products safe for mel. Unfortunately sometimes I react to products which should be safe because they don't contain my allergen's yet I think that's because I wasn't tested for their additives, or I became more reactive over time. So still go slowly with new products.
I understand what you describe as little white bumps which are under the skin. These bumps are just dormant GD, waiting to explode. Mine are confined to my upper and lower back now and not the entire torso (except th sides and breasts which never had GD. If I go outside in the heat and sweat I can feel them get larger, but if I stay cool for a few days they will recede and not turn into a papuale. However mine have been dormant for so long they do not itch or hurt. The pain took over a year to go away even after my outer skin was totally healed. We're simply damaged.