What treatments have helped or not for generalize granuloma annulare?

Hi all. Also can relate that GA is such a frustrating condition. It becomes such a focus, watching them grow and spread, while hoping (and trying desperately) for them to fade. I have had (well-controlled) Type 1 diabetes since I was a child and developed GA when I was 29, after having my first child. Slowly it grew and spread over time, mostly on my feet, ankles, knees, lastly to my hands, all over the course of about 6 years. It was so frustrating and I tried different steroid creams, diet changes (AIP diet for 6 months), vitamin E and coconut oils, supplements, steroid injections (which did work pretty well, but was not sustainable) - I had tried just about anything I'd read might work. Over this time, my family grew a small farm and with the lifestyle we started drinking raw milk. I didn't know why, but noticed my GA was slowly fading over the past year, I was so happy and thought it was too good to be true. For those like me willing to change and give up a lot to treat this extremely annoying condition, this was an easy change. I drink about one cup a day, on average. Also, what cures GA seems like it is different for different people, depending on it's root cause. For me, because of the solution, I believe it may have been 'leaky gut'. I stopped drinking raw milk for 2 weeks, and noticed raised bumps coming back where my rash had been on my feet. Which made me feel certain this is the change that cleared up my skin. Just had to share this after my long frustrating struggle with GA. Sincerely hope the best for all of you, and that this might work for others too!
(Aside: drinking raw milk comes with some risk of foodborne illness , but here in WA we have it at local co-op grocery stores and or pickup at a local reputable dairy. We have never gotten any illness from it over 2 years later and it tastes exactly like normal cows milk.)

@cherylhanline hi Cheryl
My name is Shirlee. I have GA all over. I started getting it in 2021 and still have it. The redness goes away and the bumps are prominent. First got on my torso and then it spread to my legs. I’m now getting bumps on my arms. It doesn’t itch but sometimes I know it’s spreading because I get a tingle feeling for a few minutes. I had biopsy and started some medication, hydrocloroquin. It didn’t work. I take other medications and afraid it will interfere. Some of bumps have disappeared on right leg. My torso has cleared for most part.
Five years with this. Started after getting Covid vaccine . I guess I’ll just deal with it and its ugliness.

@sjmills Thanks for your input. I started with a circle on the back of my hand. It was so deep purple red that people asked if I had burned myself. I forgot to mention that I had also been on a regiment of antibiotics; one being Ofloxacin and two others which did not change the outcome. Thank God this does not usually spread to the face. It is interesting that yours started after the Covid vaccine. Thank you for your response.

@moosiemoo3 How interesting. I hope that this addition to your diet keeps you free from this annoying outbreak. The best of luck to you. I agree that there is a root cause and that makes it difficult to treat. Just finding relief must be exhilarating. I know when mine disappeared for 6 months I was so happy and grateful. Keep us all posted on any upcoming changes that may be of help to us all. Thank you for your post.

@anandx Hi, what do you mean by scars? I have had GA for at least 30 years. It has come and gone really never due to any medication taken on spread on. I don't think that I have noticed any scars when it subsided. Do you scratch the lesions and break the skin and that scars? I am just interested in how this skin disorder manifests its self with all different people. I get little bumps and they may have a blister on top and they itch but have not noticed scars.

Hello, I have had GA for over 30 years and have tried many treatments. I have tried the injections and agree there are too many lesions to be treated that way. I have tried creams...not much help and I have been put on a combination of 3 antibiotics which were very strong (used in treating Leprosy) which I was told there is a similar virus associated with GA. One antibiotic was Rifampin and one was Ofloxacin the other name I cant remember but I think it started with an A-, anyway they had strong side effects and didn't really stop the spread. I am now dealing with the return of GA after a 6 month complete hiatus of the disorder. I have been dealing with it since I was in my thirties and am now 79 years old. I will mention the Tofacitinib to my Dermatologist when I see him and maybe give it a try.

@cherylhanline
Wherever the active GA patches have been "scares " are left. I'll describe as darkened, almost like burn scars that are the same size as the lesions. Some have a slightly raised rim and tiny bumps under the skin. So far, none of the these have disappeared.
Thankfully, my active patches never been itchy, hurt or bled. They all have become tender to the touch whether active or dormant.
Hope this helps. I've attached a photo of "scars".

I know what you mean. I also have them right now. Your describe them just as I would. They look like they are burned into the skin. They are tender, but mine itch. The itch is not insatiable but annoying. Last year for whatever reason all disappeared for about 6 months entirely; no scarred areas, completely gone. It came back one bump at a time, now my midriff is covered, back of the legs thighs back of the arms. From what I have read they seem to associate this disorder with Diabetes and thyroid disease both of which I have issues.
Thank you for the picture. I tried to download a picture of my patches but was unable to download it but it looks pretty much like yours. I hate it dealing with this. I appreciate your input and can only tell you I started with skin issues in my 30's and younger and am now 79 still dealing with it. We will keep in touch.

@cherylhanline hi, my name is Shirlee. I’m 72 and have Ga for 5 1/2 years. It came about after my first booster of Covid vaccine. It wasn’t bothering me so I didn’t report it until 6 months later. It doesn’t itch at all. Dermatologist did a biopsy and confirmed. I tried hydroxychloroquine for about 3 months but it didn’t do anything . I decided to leave it be because I didn’t want to take medication that made you sick. I still have and it has graduated to my arms. It’s ugly, I don’t go swimming or wear revealing clothing so I guess it’s mine till it goes away on its own. I don’t get vaccine anymore except for flu vaccine for seniors. I don’t want to be a Guinea pig.

Shirlee, That vaccine had many reactions to a lot of people. This GA is really hard to figure out. Being almost 80 years old it baffles me that I am dealing with it since in my 50's. It comes and it goes. But it always seems to come back. This summer I dealt with an itch which I had never experienced. I did use a cream (Triamcinolone Acetonide cream) that never did anything before but with the itch it helped me and kept the breakouts from spreading. It did not completely take them away but controlled them. My dermatologist is recommending something new which I am not sure I want to try. He is excited about this because it seems to help 70% of the people who take it. Like you I am reluctant to add another pill to, my daily diet. I forget the name of the drug but will be seeing him again in December and make a note and share it if I decide to try this. Hang in there and keep me posted of any new info you can share.