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
I have found that putting ice packs on the area that itches and leaving them there until the skin turns almost numb has been very effective in stemming the discomfort.
This is interesting - I have a similar skin problem that appeared in the last few months. It will flare up and then disappear. How did you happen to be diagnosed? Was it diagnosed by an infectious disease doctor, dermatologist or PCP? Could it be Covid and/or Covid vaccine related?
I have found that putting ice packs on the area that itches and leaving them there until the skin turns almost numb has been very effective in stemming the discomfort.
This is interesting - I have a similar skin problem that appeared in the last few months. It will flare up and then disappear. How did you happen to be diagnosed? Was it diagnosed by an infectious disease doctor, dermatologist or PCP? Could it be Covid and/or Covid vaccine related?
I was diagnosed by biopsy from a dermatologist in 2019. I believe now that this is an immune response, I have just read a very recent medical article which indicates it could be type 2 inflammation. It may be called Grover’s Disease but I think there’s more to it than the information which describes that condition.
I was diagnosed by biopsy from a dermatologist in 2019. I believe now that this is an immune response, I have just read a very recent medical article which indicates it could be type 2 inflammation. It may be called Grover’s Disease but I think there’s more to it than the information which describes that condition.
My dermatologist threw her hands up with my rash. She said she didn’t know what it was but she knew it wasn’t rosacea. I’ve thought it was an immune response by have no idea if I’ll ever get a diagnosis.
My dermatologist threw her hands up with my rash. She said she didn’t know what it was but she knew it wasn’t rosacea. I’ve thought it was an immune response by have no idea if I’ll ever get a diagnosis.
My dermatologist threw her hands up with my rash. She said she didn’t know what it was but she knew it wasn’t rosacea. I’ve thought it was an immune response by have no idea if I’ll ever get a diagnosis.
My dermatologist threw her hands up with my rash. She said she didn’t know what it was but she knew it wasn’t rosacea. I’ve thought it was an immune response by have no idea if I’ll ever get a diagnosis.
I feel your frustration. I have had Grover’s disease for at least 20 years. It used to come and go but for the past few years it’s present all the time. I have asked several dermatologists what it is over the years, and they all shrugged their shoulders. I was pleading for a biopsy from my last dermatologist and he wouldn’t do it. I finally found one who would, after she initially diagnosed dermatitis herpetiformis based on a visual examination and told me to get off of gluten. Three months gluten-free and I still have the rash. I asked if she could please biopsy and she did. I still have my stitches, and now I have an official diagnosis of GD. You need to get that biopsy.
This is interesting - I have a similar skin problem that appeared in the last few months. It will flare up and then disappear. How did you happen to be diagnosed? Was it diagnosed by an infectious disease doctor, dermatologist or PCP? Could it be Covid and/or Covid vaccine related?
It could be Covid or Covid vaccine related only to the extent that both cause inflammation, which can precipitate a Grover's flare up. Grover's results from cellular connections between the cells being broken. The medical name for Grover's Transient Acantholytic Dermatosis.
Acantholysis means loss of coherence between epidermal cells due to the breakdown of intercellular bridges. The cause of Grover's Disease is unknown.
I got my shingles shots last July and September, waiting 10 weeks between shots. I subsequently came down with Grovers disease. I am 99% positive that the shots were the cause. Absolutely NOTHING works to relieve the itching. For me the only effective remedy, to a small degree, is Motrin. NOTHING else, despite all the prescribed medicines, pills and sprays prescribed by my Dermatologist. I believe, had I waited for 4 months, I may have avoided it.
Hi,
My mother went to her dermatologist with these symptoms and as Grover's disease was considered her doctor considered that she may be allergic to one of her medications. She found out that one of her medications had been substituted with a generic brand. After a year of itching, she found relief when she switched back to the original medication.
Just a thought to consider.
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I have found that putting ice packs on the area that itches and leaving them there until the skin turns almost numb has been very effective in stemming the discomfort.
This is interesting - I have a similar skin problem that appeared in the last few months. It will flare up and then disappear. How did you happen to be diagnosed? Was it diagnosed by an infectious disease doctor, dermatologist or PCP? Could it be Covid and/or Covid vaccine related?
Hope to hear from you. Thank you.
Thank you yes I do too, It’s very cold here in winter at the moment so the ice packs are difficult to bear but will at least try
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2 ReactionsI was diagnosed by biopsy from a dermatologist in 2019. I believe now that this is an immune response, I have just read a very recent medical article which indicates it could be type 2 inflammation. It may be called Grover’s Disease but I think there’s more to it than the information which describes that condition.
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2 ReactionsThank you for your response!
My dermatologist threw her hands up with my rash. She said she didn’t know what it was but she knew it wasn’t rosacea. I’ve thought it was an immune response by have no idea if I’ll ever get a diagnosis.
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2 ReactionsDid your dermatologist do a biopsy?
Biopsy is absolutely necessary to determine the cause.
I feel your frustration. I have had Grover’s disease for at least 20 years. It used to come and go but for the past few years it’s present all the time. I have asked several dermatologists what it is over the years, and they all shrugged their shoulders. I was pleading for a biopsy from my last dermatologist and he wouldn’t do it. I finally found one who would, after she initially diagnosed dermatitis herpetiformis based on a visual examination and told me to get off of gluten. Three months gluten-free and I still have the rash. I asked if she could please biopsy and she did. I still have my stitches, and now I have an official diagnosis of GD. You need to get that biopsy.
It could be Covid or Covid vaccine related only to the extent that both cause inflammation, which can precipitate a Grover's flare up. Grover's results from cellular connections between the cells being broken. The medical name for Grover's Transient Acantholytic Dermatosis.
Acantholysis means loss of coherence between epidermal cells due to the breakdown of intercellular bridges. The cause of Grover's Disease is unknown.
Hi,
My mother went to her dermatologist with these symptoms and as Grover's disease was considered her doctor considered that she may be allergic to one of her medications. She found out that one of her medications had been substituted with a generic brand. After a year of itching, she found relief when she switched back to the original medication.
Just a thought to consider.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
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