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Itchy allergy

Skin Health | Last Active: Dec 18, 2018 | Replies (14)

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@seth971

I was just diagnosed with Grover's disease. Pretty itchy. A bit more localized than your situation - back, chest, neck, a little on the arms. I have some prescription creams/lotions that seem to be keeping the pop up rash at bay. As your case sounds a little different, i am not sure those prescriptions make sense, BUT there is an over the counter lotion i am using called Sarna - has menthol (0.5%) and camphor (0.5%). I apply it 3-4 times a day and its fantastic. I have heard that others find it works for them, BUT then the itch comes back worse as it wears off. I havent experienced it. I am also NOT sure you should use it on your face. Anyhow, if your doctor doesnt see an issue with using it, i would take a shot at it. CVS has its own generic brand.

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Replies to "I was just diagnosed with Grover's disease. Pretty itchy. A bit more localized than your situation..."

I've lived with Grover's now for 3 years. First outbreak was 1 year which is normal. Each year thereafter I have have breakouts about 6 months on, then 6 months off and this is not unusual. last outbreak the papules never broke and crusted, so I wasn't as concerned about infection. Last breakout ceased in Aug and am still clear 4 months later. Ah, the joy of being able to lay on my back or lay back in chair.

Sarna did nothing for me; I tried it. Best itch relief I found was recommended by my derm, surprisingly its comes from chili pepper, Capsaician. After application you will experience the burn, which to me is preferable to the itch, then in about 10 minutes the burn is gone and I get about 30 minutes of very low itch. This allows time to fall asleep. I keep busy during the day so can distract myself for the itch driving me crazy. At night our histamine levels are higher, also we don't have outside stimulus to take our mind off the itch. Steroids did not help at all. I do take 3 24-hr strength anti-histamines daily.

Because of Allergic Contact Dermatitis, ACD, another form of eczema (my first type I contacted about 20 years ago) I have fewer choices because of allergies to the inactive ingredients, but a good brand for me is Flanax Liniment, sold on Amazon. It's a small bottle, 2 oz, yet it is spread thinly and will last surprisingly long. I need to cover entire back torso and sections of abdomen. My sides have always been clear which is a blessing because I can sleep on my sides and I use a long handled spoon to access my mid back if I don't want to bother my husband. Also some bottles have a thicker lotion inside, so I remove with a q-tip. You must use gloves, disposable vinyl good, because if you apply and then touch face or privates you will experience intense burning.

If papules break though I use Clindamycin Phosphate Topical Solution, an antibacterial.

Another topical that seems to keep the breakout less severe (my last outbreak was 50% milder than my first) is Calcipotriene a vitamin D topical developed for psoriasis. My Medicare Pharmacy insurance doesn't allow this so I use Good RX coupons (free to all on the internet) which are good at all your local pharmacies.

For me heat, sweat and friction seem to trigger it, yet I am an outdoor person so altering my lifestyle has been a challenge. Still I do limit my heat exposure and am forced to limit friction exposure off-roading and boating. I try very hard to be inside by 11 during the summer. I even joined a book club. I bought a new sewing machine. Keeping the mind busy during the day is of major help.

Grover's has another name, Transient Acantholytic Dermatitis. Yet for the majority it is anything but Transient, it's chronic- for life.