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Grover's Disease: What works to help find relief?
I have been diagnosed with Grover's disease under my breasts. I had a biopsy for diagnosis. Tried topical ointment with no really good results. Any ideas?
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HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Skin Health group.
I have been scared to go to an allergist thinking I will have to get off antihistamine in order to take allergy tests. Antihistamine has been the only help with the all over itch. I’ll look into the 5 day test. I did look into the book you recommend. Although, I don’t seem to have any symptoms of yeast over growth. The diet might not be too hard for me. I have cut out sugar and processed foods for almost 4 years now and only splurge minimally. Try to mostly do gluten free. I was tested for gluten and test was normal. I did take a blood test for common food allergies and everything came back normal. Doctors say it’s in my environment. I used to garden all the time but I now get itchy when exposed. Never used to be sensitive besides seasonal allergies.
You are following a sensible diet plan. Your eating plan now is basically the maintenance plan I follow. I also had no external physical yeast symptoms when I began but was desperate to help lower my inflammation.
Heat, sweat and friction are said to be triggers but for me my relapses would come about anytime of year and last for 5-6 months, often during the winter months. As a classic GD case my first outbreak was the most severe and lasted one entire year. I can only believe it is the cilantro that helped me. I thought I was getting my 6 month breakout after having 6 months off last March and the cilantro stalled it and then in several months with mild symptoms it was gone. My 5 Day Extended Patch test was negative for metals, but a $600.00 blood test not covered by my Medicare revealed allergies to 6 metals, so perhaps the cilantro working as a metal detox cleaned out the residual metals.
I did get the adult shingles vaccine mid Dec. Huge mistake, I thought I was getting a severe GD attack because although the rash was more plaque like than my typical individual papuales it was in the same area. I saw my derm who told me the shingles vaccine I got 3 days before this rash appeared was 100% connected to this outbreak which was probably shingles. It only lasted about 6 weeks and was advised to not get second shot of this 2 part vaccine. I am an active gardener, Master Gardener and am compelled to be outside daily. I have had to adjust my day long gardening fun in the summer and get inside by noon or earlier. If symptomatic with GD once I got hot and start to sweat the rashed area stings and burns and I am sure aggravates it.
If you believe your allergies are environmental (most of us have environmental allergies) see an allergist and at the very least get the 30 minute, immediate result environmental allergy test. Most of us have allergies to pollen, grasses, yes I have those and after testing learned why my uncovered wrists would rash up after gardening near cedar or juniper.
Our bodies change over time- although I have always had environmental allergies I never had the severe contact allergies until middle age; I now have allergies to rubber, adhesives, blended fibers, fragrance, cortisone, cinnamon and a host of other contacts. Once you identify your allergies you can control your environment.
I really appreciate the time you are giving in response to my replies. Its the most encouragement and treatments I heard since I was diagnosed. Thank you. I will consider seeing a allergist once this corona virus is under control here in California. As for as the cilantro goes does it have to be in a smoothie? I’ve been just adding fresh to salads or whatever I’m eating. I want to try Lysine. Seems not much in the side effects and seems safe. Since I’ve been so sensitive to everything I’m a little reluctant are you aware of any adverse reactions? Also try not to be in the heat like you said about gardening(I don’t even garden anymore 😩) GD has changed my way of life. Along with my love of gardening also enjoyed the outdoors in our pool and boat. I do less of it all now. Have you heard of success with GD using uv protection clothing? I used to get high anxiety when one erupted out of no where. Now yes I do get discouraged but try not to let it affect me unless it’s one of those crazy itchy ones then it’s more challenging. Recently also trying the witch hazel. I also wanted to mention that since its been spring like conditions here even just the sunlight is triggering the bumps. Makes me want to just stay inside but know that’s not healthy physically or mentally.
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1 ReactionI researched safety. Here is an article specific to safety: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30661148/
6 grams (6000mg) produced GI symptoms, but no serious or concerning symptoms. I’m taking 3 grams/day. I’m a tiny person -4’11” and 96 lb. I haven’t had any side effects, except suppression of GD. 🤞still. I mix in plain yogurt or smoothie. No strong taste. I can’t swallow pills.
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1 ReactionAfter 2 months of the smoothies with no response, I stopped. However, after rereading two of your posts, I am going back to taking them as it really may take many months before they become effective. I mentioned above that two rounds of oral steroids did help, but the itching is back, although, not to the degree it was before. With respect to the smoothies I put a lot of fruit in them as well as apple cider vinegar and turmeric. Even if the cilantro doesn't work they're really healthy. Thanks for all your incredible insight and hopefulness.
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2 ReactionsI also have trouble with pills. If they are powdered capsules I just open them into a spoon and swallow with liquid. I also have a pill grinder. It reduces pills to powder. Available at any pharmacy. If the capsules are liquid inside, I just pop them in my mouth and hold my breath ! Good luck.
Re oral steroids – I was prescribed a "Burst" dose of Prednisone for a joint inflammation problem and found that eased my GD itching temporarily. May I ask if you could advise the medication name and dosage that you used.
I'll have to get the name for you on Monday as I generally don't keep the containers after I finish them. I can tell you that it was a week supply. On the first day, I took 7 pills interspersed over the day, the second day was 6, the third day was 5 and so on until the last day was one pill. I took two rounds of them about one month apart. The second round was more effective than the first for some reason. I stopped taking them about a week ago and the itching has resumed, at least not to the degree before I took the pills. I'm sure you know that oral steroids are only a temporary fix and can't be taken for any length of time due to the possibility serious side effects. I do use a topical steroid called Fluocinolone Acetonide. It has a limited effectiveness for me, but if there is one thing I have learned about this disease, it is that everybody reacts differently to different solutions. So, it maybe very effective for you. I have found that when the itching gets extreme, Witch Hazel, followed by Hydrocortisone cream, can be helpful. Gold Bond Ultimate Eczema Relief cream can also be calming. The reason that this site is so helpful, is that you learn about so many different options. Just keep trying ! Hope this was helpful.
I have had GD for 5 years now and for whatever reason the severity's lessening. I'm not saying it is not itchy and painful when it reoccurs, just less; take heart and have hope. The first year was a 24 hour challenge for a full year. Like most know I couldn't even lay on my back in bed or lean back in chair or car. I not only had itching but extreme sensitivity and pain. I know it will return and then really go for it when symptom free,
For me the only negative side effect of the 1/2 bunch of cilantro in a smoothly daily for about 9 months was darkening of age showing up on related sun spots on my face. I had been drinking my smoothie even symptom free and then when blasting recurrence in Dec which derm decided was a reaction to my adult shingles vaccines. I gave it up. Just about the time I noticed the darkening this plaque like rash appeared so figured the cilantro had stopped helping. Google it- excess cilantro can cause skin darkening. I chose the smoothie as a way to ingest it as it was easy to mix that with fruit and yogurt in a blender and take in such a large volume, no way could I eat that much on a salad or straight. Cilantro doesn't' work for all. I was improved after a few weeks of drinking it, it may not be helping you, but unless you get the skin darkening it may have no negative side effects.
We are also boaters and yes have had to opt out many times. Not only the heat is an issue, but the bouncing putting pressure and friction on my back is painful and aggravating, I am much worse off afterwards. Friction seems as much of a trigger as any of the others.
I'm hoping you stay encouraged and believe that time will be on your side. I am not believing a cure will be found, but you will have better days ahead as the symptoms die down for a period of time and you will treasure those times.
Thanks very much for the detailed and prompt reply – Most appreciated.
Excessive vitamin A (the cilantro) “could” cause many side effects. One I’m concerned with is hairloss which is another side effect of too much L-lysine as well. Do you know of any of these side effects of this in this site?
My research shows lysine is used to treat hair loss, not that it causes hair loss.