@gardeningjunkie. Mayo called to let me know the rash is Grovers Disease. Nothing can be done but treat symptoms with wet wraps and steroid cream. They precribed Doxepin and Hydroxyzine only during flare ups, and stay on antihistamines 2x daily. The other biopsy shows basil cell carcinoma...she said they removed all of it with biopsy ...should be ok... I remarked that it looks black and red around the outer borders.
and its tender ..she (dr) said have a local physician look at it..but she doesn't think its infected..all discussed on the phone.
I also reminded her that the biopsies of the rashes had diminished quite a bit by the time she saw me. She said another biopsy of a fresh rash would be helpful, however they cant guarantee an opening for me...so this is my ongoing issue for 5 yrs...by the time they schedule me, it's too late for an accurate diagnosis. All said, even with a fading rash, they picked up Grovers. Nothing said about why I felt I'll and had chills. No mention of any connection with my mgus.
2 things have helped me with Grover's Disease which is eczema a chronic auto-immune disease and in truth haven't found that steroids helped, but I am allergic to several classes of steroids.
1. Try Calcipotriene Ointment, it is basically an expensive form of topical vitamin d3. Check with GoodRx for the best price, as many insurance companies don't cover. It does seem to minimize and stall my Grover's. I use a long handled spoon to cover my back torso. Sure I could ask my husband, but I prefer to be independent and not seem so helpless. This was originally developed for psoriasis sufferers and is safe, not like steroids with proven dangers.
2. Clindamycin Phosphate Topical Solution 1%- This is a topical antibiotic. If your pustules break though and scab this speeds up healing. it doesn't suppress new eruptions, but heals existing issues without the need of internal antibiotics, which because of my yeast issues I avoid unless necessary.
3. You have no choice but to avoid the triggers: heat, sweat and friction. We still need some quality of life and I push my boundaries. If I stay outside longer than I should I absolutely must take a few days off inside. After overheating I can feel the little pustule internal bumps starting. If I keep cool for a few days they will recede if I catch in time.
4. Get your bra off immediately at home, wear loose housecoat or muu muu or as I prefer a 100% cotton shirt with 2 pockets. You must get the pressure off your torso.
5. Read the Karen Fischer Book on eczema. Our bodies make too much T2 which fuels our overactive immune system. Certain foods are fuel to the T2. I am taking baby steps in diet control, just to overwhelming to do all at once. Yet have given up 90% of gluten, many of the wrong fruits, coffee and wine. Next step my black and green tea. Yes even green tea as it fuels our overactive T2, part of our immune system, into making too many histamines. For others green tea is a good thing as it strengthens their immune system.
6. The best non itch topical, just a temporary fix to get me to sleep in Flanax Linimento, which is capsaicin, read about how red pepper can fool the body. It works in less than 10 min, burns at first but the burn feels better than the itch. Just takes a tiny bit and spreads well. The burn subsides and I get at least 30 minutes of relief so I can fall asleep. Use a Q-tip to put on back long handled spoon, never touch with hands as you may get in your eyes. I swear it also heals up the site faster too.
This year never needed the Clindamycin as my pustules, although itchy with a 5 month breakout, never erupted through the skin. The pain and itching with this breakout was significantly less. I never had to drive a car hunched over the steering wheel to keep the pressure off my back. Right now in remission and using no treatment, even the constant feeling of a sunburn is gone. What next will go wrong with our bodies as one auto-immune disease leads gives us predisposition to another. Still I am having a great day.