ok here's a twist with GD and shingles: Ive had this crazy travelling itch that appears as a rash that has floated all over my body for about 10 years. ITCHING is beyond belief. Lasts for about 3 weeks, triancinalone not that helpful and develped suprainfections sincluding fungal and MRSA with some presentations. I just started following a dermatologist who has taken my intermittant itch/rash issue on. It comes and goes about 3 x year. started on my lower legs and also had some episodes on by upper deltoid area of my arm. Always unilateral , did I mention ITCHING??? In the meantime, my derm and I are waiting for this mysterious rash to appear so we can biopsy it. AND...I get Shingles , first time, right upper chest: obvious shingles( Im a nurse for 30+ years) the shingles isnt "too bad" but then a different rash appears where the shingles is, about 7 days after the shingles appeared and is winding down. ......ITCHY!!!!, could be , might be the same one that my new derm is trying to nail down. so the shingles is resolving, the new itching bumpy rash continues , so the biopsy is calling this Grovers Disease. Never had it present quite like that on my chest, always by extremites unilateral , often I get a really good case in the beginning of winter on my r or L lower leg after I start wearing socks. The latest outbreak as Got to be related to the shingles.
For treatment Ive learned this: I now take Allegra twice a day ( double dose) when this rash starts and the itching is far better controlled than ever before. Ive used sevral types of creams and lotions . feels like Castor oil has been the best. steroid cream and ointment( triancinalone) has not helped limit the itching or the length of the outbreak, I like Sarna cream, helps with itching. sometimes I have to use cool cloths and ice packs to calm the itch. Im currently trying to get ceramide rich cream all over my body 2-3 times a day. I was looking up shingles and GD and came across these postings with GD related to the vaccine. Im was encouraged to get the shingrix, but if it inflames my GD, that will not be optimal. I mean the shingles did suck but much more tolerable than a GD outbreak in my opinon. I have used a skin cleanse smoothie in the past that inclued a bunch of cilantro which didnt help me much. Im also seeing a naturpath related to this. I think we will do some heavy metal testing and chelation if needed. and Im defintely going to do a diet "reset" for 2 weeks: ( ie no diary, wheat, sugar, milk products etc etc) I have gut issues as well: IBS/SIBO. so in the world of holistic healing the skin is an extension of the gut , so my naturopath says "for sure related". And I think he is correct. I like using allopathic and natural medicine, especially for complicated chonic issues, many conditions cross systems and our current traditional medical system is general too compartmentalised to really help a human wholistically. Of course stress and emotional heath is a factor- always, and that is a personal journey that no one can really help you with except yourself.
Glad i found the page . good luck out there!