What is Grover's disease of the skin?

marilynkay- I am not familiar with your background. Is your rash GD or another form of eczema? Before I got GD I had Allergic Contact Dermatitis, GD, for 15 years. The reason it took so long to diagnose my GD was because my doctors assumed it was my ACD. If you are unsure get the 5 Day Extended Patch Test for ACD. It was a life saving test for me because I learned what contacts to avoid.
Like others on this blog I understand your misery. Could you describe your rash location and symtoms- besides itching, is it painful? Mine was both. Because of pain I couldn't lean back in a chair or lay on my stomach or back in my bed; my sides were clear. I also prefer soft loose cottons to all other clothing, plus it is allergy free for me as long as it is not wrinkle free (chemicals are added) or fire retardant (chemicals are added).
Tell us how how long you have had this outbreak.
If new to GD go to dermnetnz.org because they have pretty good info and photos of GD, you'll see the classic locations and rash appearance. However like all other GD medical sites they offer no hope, simply stating it's chronic and it comes and goes. Yet you can learn on this Mayo blog that many of us have had success putting our GD into remission with cilantro which is a heavy metal detox and there is research about heavy metals being tied to many diseases like Alzeheimers, Parkinsons and GD.

Am glad that you also find help w/ Witch Hazel. I always bought the 16 fl. oz.
bottle, but found CVS has pressurized 6 oz. can which I generously spray on chest -- then slather around sides and back=very cooling. Currently on the
downturn period, and seems to cycle up to six months.

Thank you for your response. I have tried and use ice packs. It does give temporary relief which helps a lot .
The unfortunate part is wherever I have skin, it itches…total body. One of the best things I have discovered is distraction. Think or do something that distracts you from the itch…again, temporary but that’s okay.

You have many possible solutions for help and that is much appreciated. I am 85 and have fibromyalgia most of my life. One of the things that would happen mostly to my hands etc. would to become very hot and red;
My entire body does now followed by the itching (it’s almost as though every pore in my skin becomes raised and inflamed, then I cannot control the itching which leads to bleeding. So many sores. It’s also important to moisturize with creams such as Vericream, Cerave and creams or lotions like those without a lot of additives.
I was so surprised when you mentioned not being able to touch sit or lean into anything or lay on your back…this is absolutely what I have been going through also…laying on my side is all I can do. Then take Tylenol and hope to get to sleep. I shall check out the cilantro and the website you recommended. As for pain, absolutely…there have been new symptoms of the pain/itch becoming one solid thing especially on my front and back. Very strange.
My dermatologists (plural) have told me they have done everything they know to help
Thank you so much for your input. And I too, hope you continue to get better.
I have been advised to seek help at Mayo Clinic…or possibly the University of Minnesota

I completely understand the need for distraction having symtoms like yours. Strangely for me about a year before I got GD my body experience similar all over the body skin sensations without a rash. My skin would itch, sting and zap from the inside out. It's hard for doctors to understand if they can't see any symptoms. I would get relief from a powerful corticosteroid shot, Kenalog-40, Medicare covers this. These symtoms would abate for about 9 months then begin slowly. My dermatologist did want to give me this shot more then once a year. This shot did had side effects- massive hair thinning starting about 2 months after the shot, but now I'm not getting them my hair is back to normal. It also caused face redness for a few months after getting the shot. This shot did nothing for my GD when that developed. Yet at least my misery with GD was specific to the rash areas.
What stopped these sensations, which were particuarly intense at night when our histamines are higher in the evening, was giving up processed sugar. This was the most challenging dietary sacrifice I've ever tried, yet I succeeded. Read The Yeast Connecton Handbook, by William Crooke, MD. His theory is that the waste from the yeast living in our guts and passes though the intestines and into the bloodstream. It's causing a number of diseases, including eczema. I followed his initial detox plan for 3 months diligently. He only asks for a 2 month detox, but I was so much better after 2 months I kept it up for 3. This detox is rough. Now I follow a version of his lifestyle diet, which is no processed sugar for life, his lifestyle diet limits natural sugars and gluten, yet I slowly added these back into my diet and eat all of these foods I want now and still have none of my previous all over the body skin sensations which made me so miserable, unable to sleep and brought me to the point of suicide. I got though my detox and gladly give up processed sugar because my pain motivated me. If you try this, I can give tips on how I got though sugar withdrawal, I want to add I never had been overweith and probably ate less processed sugar than most.

Please tell me what testing your dermatologish has performed.
GD biopsy?
5 Day Extended Patch Test for Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD)?
Not all derms are licensed for this specific Patch Test, it's costly too, around $1,500 yet Medicare covers it. I was ignorant and for a decade when I first got eczema of the hands (which turned out to be ACD) I accepted what my dermatologist told me- that I had eczema (she didn't say what type) and told me to stop washing my hands so much and gave me topical steroids. I was a fool. She was never licensed for this tesing. I moved and went to another dermatolgist and his only treament was steroids. Once again I was ignorant. He left the area and I went to a new derm that gave this test. The internet was getting underway and I obsessively began educating myself.
If your dermatologist says he can't help you don't do what I did and accept it for 10 years!!! Find a new dermatologist and keep blogging with other with the same symtoms.

Unfortunately this disease is a mystery. Not everything works for everyone. My GD is disappearing. Here is what I take: apple cider vinegar, curcumin, and now liquid Coq 10. I have no idea if the Coq 10 has had any effect, but talking the liquid coincides with the lessening of the itching. Have you tried light therapy?

Well, I haven’t tried the apple cider vinegar etc. will check into that.
I have done the photo therapy…6 sessions, but because of the fibromyalgia had to stop immediately…..the heat factor got so much worse along with the itching. Actually wish I had not tried it. As you said, everyone is different and it behaves in strange ways… I am seeing a pain clinic doctor and he is preparing me for medical cannabis which I will be trying soon for both the fibromyalgia and itching…
If only we could all find something that helps…it really is
A horrible disease. Thank you for your help. Hugs!

I did the light box as well. Did nothing. The Apple cider vinegar really probably doesn’t do much. I just include it with a bunch of other supplements for health reasons. Hopefully the medical weed will do something

Just a thought for your fibromyalgia. My cousin had this for many years. She tried many things. Her final research turned her into a vegan. I was visiting with her and asked if she was ok. She said she was great. She began a vegan diet and has stuck with it which she said she is seemingly cured, but it was like a miracle. It took a while to adjust and about a year to really appreciate the benefits. She is very skinny now as swell. I want to add another testimony. A friend had heart disease, high blood pressure, very overweight and fibromyalgia. She did go vegan in desperation. Her heart she had surgery, but the blood pressure, weight, alergies and fibromyalgia did. She too lost a lot of weight. Both of these girls are in their fifties and sixties. I have another friend that thinks cider vinegar is almost a cure all. I am just saying. I have Granuloma Annulare and thought about a vegan diet, but being a Texas beef lover, I have to work on that. I hope this is a possible help to you both. I understand the fibro. is absolutely horrible.

Hi all can’t quite believe I’m talking about GD again … I had a severe, chronic case which began in Sept 2019.
My symptoms came on after a bout of illness and included burning skin, stinging zaps, aches, bruised feelings followed by the bumps, blisters and rashes which proceeded to cover neck, front, back and was ferocious. I spent months of sleepless nights, almost went insane with the deep aching itch and felt it was coming from my internal organs rather than a superficial skin condition.
Anyway there’s a lot more to the symptoms and time spent researching, talking, following groups etc but thanks to wonderful posts here and on FB i found my ‘cure’. After having tried all the usual derm referred steroid treatments I saw so many examples of success I fervently began the coriander (cilantro) and chlorella smoothies. The first week symptoms worsened and then slowly week by week they dissipated and after a couple of months my Grover’s had diminished significantly. I have never stopped the smoothies, only reduced amount and that was three years ago. Two months ago was my first overseas trip in four years and for that three weeks I didn’t do smoothies. I started to get stings and bumps and itches, only mildly, but I also put it down to different diet as my gut has never been very functional. When I returned home it was back to smoothies and the bumps disappeared. Two weeks ago I had a virus, believed to be Covid but unconfirmed with RAT. I had spent some time with a positive case so assumed it was. Three days ago I felt the terrible internal heat, pain, zaps and deep agonising itch and now the rash is quickly spreading. I thought after three years clear I was beyond it. Only thing I can say is second time around I am well informed, educated and savvy with my toolkit of treatment. Witch hazel on itchy spots and inflammation site, zinc on erupted or blistered areas, cool sprays and anti itch menthol cream. It’s manageable but unbearable at times, usually during the night when I’m not distracted. Forever thankful for all online chats and anecdotal evidence of natural treatments as I had them all on hand. Three days in have tripled my smoothies and will see how it goes. My first severe case lasted six months and nearly took my sanity so I am approaching this with hope and intention. Avoiding stress, meditation, loads of cool filtered water to assist detox, etc.
Very sad though that it has returned, living up to transient and persistent. I fear for our very old age if we get that far and trying to deal with it ….
Thanks all