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

Posted by 43219876x @43219876x, Sep 23, 2016

I have been diagnosed with Grover's disease under my breasts. I had a biopsy for diagnosis. Tried topical ointment with no really good results. Any ideas?

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@ethanmcconkey

Hi all, I did a bit of Google Scholar searching for research articles about cilantro and its potential medicinal use. While the effects and results some of you are experiencing are promising, please note that there isn't yet enough information to know for sure if cilantro is safe when taken as a medicine. More research is required.

I agree @gardeningjunkie that it is valuable to tell your specialists about your experience with cilantro. Gathering anecdotal evidence is often the first step to prompting more research. Here's more info to help your conversation with your allergist and dermatologist. (Note, for some people cilantro can cause allergic reactions.)

- WedMD https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1533/cilantro
- Elsevier Review Article - Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) essential oil: Chemistry and biological activity https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169115000647
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Health-promoting properties of common herbs https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/70/3/491s/4714940

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The Web MD site says"Bleeding disorders: Cilantro might slow blood clotting. There is concern that cilantro might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders when eaten in large amounts." However Cilantro is high in Vitamin K, which promotes blood clotting, which is why those on coumadin have to regulate their dosage when taking cilantro. This is a contradiction. I believe the wise thing to do would be to not use cilantro in high dosages. Reduce the amount you use till you reach a comfortable balance. Everything is better in moderation. Blood clots or excessive bleeding are both negatives so it is is wise to discontinue all herbal supplements when facing surgery. Always be truthful about medications and supplements with your doctor.

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@gardeningjunkie

I have had great success using the "Cilantro Club" plan and still make my cilantro smoothy daily and plan to do so for life.

I want to tell my allergist and dermatologist about this because now after 2 1/2 months of remission I believe it is worth sharing what we "guinea pigs" have learned with our personal testing.

From what I have read previously at least 50% have benefited like me.

Could you check in and share if it did or didn't work with you so I can pass that along to my specialists.

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@gardeningjunkie I am checking in to let all know that the cilantro is now a daily part of my life. I separate one bunch into four sections and freeze in baggies. (Depends on size of your bunch but my bunch is about 40 stems). I hardly taste it in my smoothie anymore because of all the liquid and fruit I add. I informed my dermatologist last month and he is researching it. (Smart doc.) Traveling for the next three weeks and have already made arrangements to have a blender with all the ingredients I need at my destinations since they are homes of relatives. Bringing pills just in case. Curious to know how @frogger does in Pacific Northwest. Picturing @gardeningjunkie turning green!!!! 🙂

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Glad you also are bringing up our success with cilantro with your dermatologist. It seems this would be an easy study. Yet, no money in it for a pharmaceutical company to fund it. It would be inexpensive for a University, dermatologist or medical student who wants to publish the study results, it could give him/her recognition.

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@mariannj

@gardeningjunkie I am checking in to let all know that the cilantro is now a daily part of my life. I separate one bunch into four sections and freeze in baggies. (Depends on size of your bunch but my bunch is about 40 stems). I hardly taste it in my smoothie anymore because of all the liquid and fruit I add. I informed my dermatologist last month and he is researching it. (Smart doc.) Traveling for the next three weeks and have already made arrangements to have a blender with all the ingredients I need at my destinations since they are homes of relatives. Bringing pills just in case. Curious to know how @frogger does in Pacific Northwest. Picturing @gardeningjunkie turning green!!!! 🙂

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Just got back from Mt Rainier National Park. 6 days and no smoothies. But I relied on cilantro capsules every day. Took about 5 per day and had no breakout of Grover’s or any reaction to the capsules. Was feeling a little antsy on final day but nothing happened. The capsules and the very cool weather of Washington State really helped.
I had told my dermatologist about cilantro and he had never heard of its medical use. He was glad it was helping. My first 6 months of having Grover’s ends middle of July and then I will do a “no cilantro” test in the heat of Texas.

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I know GD is a less common from of eczema so the derms don't see many cases of GD each year, but as much as cilantro has helped so many of us let's pass this info along like Frogger.
Frogger please check in after you go off cilantro. Only been doing this for about 4 months and I am seriously thinking of keeping this for life because I feel so terrific. We are guinea pigs for this treatment.
My allergist just loaded me up with entire series of True Test 5 Day Extended Patch Test patches again, plus a new metal panel since recent blood work by an orthopedist showed I was allergic to 5 metals. I was considering a knee replacement but I doubt there is an appliance allergy free for me. When I told my allergist he wanted to know why metal reactions didn't show up for the 2 tested on the basic True Test 5 years ago. The allergist added a specific metal series panel. I decided to give up the cilantro smoothie or capsules for the 5 days thinking it might affect the patch testing results for metal. I'm now wondering if those of us finding success with the cilantro metal detox might also be allergic to metals causing the GD. I've only had GD for 4 years. I will make a double smoothie for myself when testing is over hoping to catch up.
Lots of questions and not many professionals interested in researching this yet.

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Hi All! It's been a while since I posted. I was having some serious rash issues and wanted to figure it all out before I posted. I have had a few derm appointments and a second opinion. My Grover's disease is definitely not the issue. The Cilantro is doing the trick at keeping it at bay. It seems I have another form of Eczema and is likely due to stress as other tests came back negative (I am 55 and have been thrust into raising a baby and the associated family issues so there is a little bit going on in my life lol!) I got a shot of Kenalog today hopefully the rash will clear. Also, I did stop the Cilantro for a week to test it, and I started getting a few of the little red dots, so I am a BELIEVER that it works and will go back to it today! Glad to hear others are still doing so well on it!

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Think I’ll be a cilantro junkie for life. Hope all gets better for you.

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@kimass1

Hi All! It's been a while since I posted. I was having some serious rash issues and wanted to figure it all out before I posted. I have had a few derm appointments and a second opinion. My Grover's disease is definitely not the issue. The Cilantro is doing the trick at keeping it at bay. It seems I have another form of Eczema and is likely due to stress as other tests came back negative (I am 55 and have been thrust into raising a baby and the associated family issues so there is a little bit going on in my life lol!) I got a shot of Kenalog today hopefully the rash will clear. Also, I did stop the Cilantro for a week to test it, and I started getting a few of the little red dots, so I am a BELIEVER that it works and will go back to it today! Glad to hear others are still doing so well on it!

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Kimass1 Since age 50 I have dealt with and will always be dealing with 3 forms of eczema. One form I just got once the Perioral and stopped the definite triggers. You know about GD which now even my last few remaining scabs are finally breaking free even after not drinking the cilantro smoothy every day because of metal allergy testing. Now back on daily cilantro for life. My most challenging form, ACD has changed hundreds of my daily contacts in my life. Yet because of the 5 Day Extended Patch Test I know what to avoid and no longer get the rashes or require an annual Kenalog 40 shot. Kenalog is a powerful cortico-steroid which never helped with my GD or my Perioral eczema, or even helped with my ACD rashes, but it did stop the ACD issues of internal burning, stinging and taser stings I would get inside my skin for about 10 months.
You do need to get diagnosed for your form of eczema causing the rashes if you don't already know. Go to dermnetnz.org and look at all the eczema types and study the photos. It helped me diagnose my Perioral so I could help steer the doctor to treat it correctly.
Also tests aren't always correct. My GD biopsy came back negative, although I clearly had it based on my symptoms. I was told my biopsy wasn't taken during the right stage. My breakout was old and waning.
I am sure stress doesn't help any form of eczema or any other disease, but not sure it didn't cause any of my forms.

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Hi everyone. I am new to this forum. About a month ago I was diagnosed (after punch biopsy) with “probably” Grovers disease. I love that word probably. Mine started on my ear and quickly went to the back of my head. Went to the dermatologist no biopsy yet who gave me fluticasone cream for body and clobetesol topical solution for my head. Then it showed up On the top of my leg. I used the creams for a few weeks never really helping and then the bloom appeared on my back and on my chest. That’s when I had the biopsy’s.
I then received a prescription of halobetasol ointment. All these chemicals being rubbed into my skin. Did the 6 day steroid pack, felt a bit better. Came back with a vengeance. Now I’m on minocycline which is helping a great deal.its been 2 weeks and my Rx is for 3 months. I use charcoal soap, Sarna cream and Gold Bond exema cream. Last October I had an allergic reaction to a med which was an NSAID that sent me to ER. Reveived a shot of solumedrol. About 2 weeks later I began with hives. And boy I do mean hives. They were huge. Allergist gave me antihistamines. It was a tough winter for me. I had 2 colds and then bronchitis. The reason I’m telling you this is because I had a low grade temperature for months. I wonder if this caused the breakdown of my skin. Daily I feel very warm then I get a chill (way beyond menopause).
My new normal consists of a plethora of antihistamines and creams. A fan above me and one beside my bed. No underwear or bra as often as I can and alot of cotton. Would love to try the cilantro but I have a clotting factor so too much would not be good for me.
Thanks for reading.

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@suecee

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum. About a month ago I was diagnosed (after punch biopsy) with “probably” Grovers disease. I love that word probably. Mine started on my ear and quickly went to the back of my head. Went to the dermatologist no biopsy yet who gave me fluticasone cream for body and clobetesol topical solution for my head. Then it showed up On the top of my leg. I used the creams for a few weeks never really helping and then the bloom appeared on my back and on my chest. That’s when I had the biopsy’s.
I then received a prescription of halobetasol ointment. All these chemicals being rubbed into my skin. Did the 6 day steroid pack, felt a bit better. Came back with a vengeance. Now I’m on minocycline which is helping a great deal.its been 2 weeks and my Rx is for 3 months. I use charcoal soap, Sarna cream and Gold Bond exema cream. Last October I had an allergic reaction to a med which was an NSAID that sent me to ER. Reveived a shot of solumedrol. About 2 weeks later I began with hives. And boy I do mean hives. They were huge. Allergist gave me antihistamines. It was a tough winter for me. I had 2 colds and then bronchitis. The reason I’m telling you this is because I had a low grade temperature for months. I wonder if this caused the breakdown of my skin. Daily I feel very warm then I get a chill (way beyond menopause).
My new normal consists of a plethora of antihistamines and creams. A fan above me and one beside my bed. No underwear or bra as often as I can and alot of cotton. Would love to try the cilantro but I have a clotting factor so too much would not be good for me.
Thanks for reading.

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I recommend a biopsy for Grover’s. My dermatologist said only way to find out. Only after biopsy did I begin my treatment. And cilantro is ONLY thing that will stop the horrible itch and outbreak. There’s a lot on here about cilantro. I doubted it until I started and now am a believer.

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