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Grover's Disease: What works to help find relief?
Skin Health | Last Active: Dec 6 3:31pm | Replies (2018)Comment receiving replies
I am a 36 year old male and I’ve had a rash that suddenly appeared on my chest and back. I’ve seen 3 different Drs and two of them suspect Grover’s disease. I had two biopsies done that came back as a drug rash but that can’t be it because I’m not on anything. I’m so frustrated. It has started coming down my arms now. I feel an ugly beast. The rash doesn’t respond to medicine. I’ve started looking up Grover’s disease and found an association with blood cancers. I am so freaked out. I just want this thing gone. I was just prescribed tetracycline so hopefully that does something. I’ve had all kinds of tests and scans so I shouldn’t be worried but I am. I can’t believe how much this has just completely effected me. The rash came on so suddenly. Is there anyone that can give me advice. I’ve also read that people have this for a long time too.
Replies to "I am a 36 year old male and I’ve had a rash that suddenly appeared on..."
I do feel your pain and like you my biopsy wasn't positive for Grover's, yet I obviously have it. I meet 4 of the 5 commonalities (including a blood cancer, leukemia which I no longer have). Good info and photos on dermnetnz.org which lists not only the more common forms of eczema, like my ACD, but rare forms like Grover's. . My derm told me for the test to show a positive the breakout stage must be at the right stage and my breakout was waning when biopsied.
My first break out (one year) was the worst, for the next 2 years about 6 months on and 6 months off, but each break out has been less severe. Now 6 months clear I am developing minor breakout on abdomen and started applying the Calciptreine Cream on all torso areas after showering and nothing has progressed in weeks. My pain had been so terrible with the initial torso, front and back, breakout I couldn't lean back in a chair. Forced to drive a car hunched over the steering wheel. Fortunately my sides have never broken out so I can position myself in bed and have trained myself not to move. Druing the day the pain is the worst and we all know about itching more obvious at night as our histamines are elevated in the evenings.
Steroids did nothing, also I tested positive to an allergy, I have (ACD) to one of the 5 classes of steroids, which carries over to 2 others, so that leaves me only 2 classes I can use.
The most helpful treatment I have found is Calcipotreine Cream, a vitamin D topical. Also if the papuales break and scab infection is possible and I use Clindamycin Phosphate, a topical anti-bacterial fluid applies topically.
Heat and sweat and friction must be avoided, a challenge, but try to limit outdoor activities to mornings.
The bottom line seems to be it needs to run it's course. The collagen keeping our cells tight has weakened and our skin no longer protects us from iritants. Even now, without a back torso breakout can feel very tiny bumps sub dermal. These are the places just waiting to break out again.
Fortunetly my first break out was just a year as I have corresponding with one person whose first break out was 6 years.
Keep researching, kg7382 just suggested a new info site and will go to that to learn more. Always hopeful.
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@jpearo I’m not an expert by far, but GD certainly seems to an elusive vague disease. There seems to be an assortment of experiences and treatments. Mine also came on suddenly. I’m a 46 yo female - no meds and no health issues. I’ve been on daily creams pretty much since last summer. A little break last fall. My only risk factor that I can think of is a history of sun exposure 🙁 This is a nice group and lots of experiences that people share that may give you ideas - mostly how to manage it and no complete cures. I hope you get some answers soon!!