Lidocaine and Benedral did nothing for me.

Will do. I did read Painted House years ago. Wonderful writer.

I used extra strength Bengay. It worked to numb the itching. It burned “so good”. It would work for several hours at a time. It has menthol and camphor. I had to apply to my entire torso and I could taste it in my mouth within minutes of applying, so that was concerning.

I think there’s a connection between sweat and temperature and GD breakouts. I live in Florida and had been in remission when the pandemic started. To save my sanity I began working in my yard. I was fine from March till July. That’s when we got the summer humidity and within a month it came back bc I was sweating profusely while working in my yard. I’m again starting to work in my yard without the sweat pouring out of me because the humidity has fallen. I definitely think there’s a connection to my breakout.
Sincerely,
Linda Beattie
P.S. I sent you a private message early this evening too.

I definitely agree with the sweating as a trigger. I have learned that when I do sweat if possible to quickly clean, rinse with cool water, pat dry and moisturize. It’s weird because sometimes I have sweated and then could not clean up after and no problem. I just never know exactly how my skin is going to react. Internally and externally. Sometimes when I know I’m going to sweat I’ll apply gold bond powder beforehand not my favorite but sometimes helps. Some people use creams with zinc oxide as a moisture barrier but I have found they are thick and hard to clean off and I don’t like to scrub my sensitive skin. I’m in California so sweating is an issue. Can’t wait til it cools off here. Although, Grover’s still exist for me even in cooler weather 😡

I use Tiger Balm Neck and Shoulder Rub after a really hot shower. It generally has the same effect.

I just replied to your private message. I didn't even know this site had a private message application, good to know. Glad you found this site for GD info. Also Facebook is reported to have an excellent GD site, which I don't follow as right now I have no need to search for more info. As I mentioned in my message start reading this blog post from Feb 2019 forward. Feb 27 was my breakthrough when kimass1 posted info she read about cilantro. Kimass1 is my guardian angel who has given me my normal life back.

hope4cure- Like you I truly didn't have a correlation with temperature as to when I would get a GD recurrence. With GD the collagen connecting our skin cells is compromised and our skin doesn't work at being a barrier. Sweat stings when GD is active so if broken out in the summer we are even more miserable. We know sweat hurts us when active and it makes sense to avoid it. Even when GD is inactive, our skin is still compromised and not heathy like it used to be and I try to avoid the hottest times of the day if I have a choice and like most of us shower immediately after sweating. I do like what one blogger recommended, splashing with Witch Hazel on the areas we get GD. I am clear now but still splash on WH all over front and back torso after a light toweling off after the shower. If broken out it does sting, but now it feels refreshing. It is anti-bacterial and inexpensive. Good that I bought many bottles before covid. I noticed the WM shelves are empty of WH, perhaps it is used in hand sanitizer or the manufacturer is shut down.

Hi @linnie61, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Glad you could join in on the topic of Grover's Disease. One of Mayo Clinic's Dermatologist agrees with you about the sweat component. I thought you would like to see the answer he provided for a patient.
Treatment for Grover's – https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/treatment-for-grovers-disease-geared-toward-relieving-itching-and-rash/

Have you always lived in Florida? I did a little research and it did say that the disease can be exacerbated by high heat temperatures.

Has anyone had success taking collagen supplements or other supplements to help heal the skin?

I take collagen, histidine, hyaluronic acid and silica to fortify my skin.

Dear Amanda- I appreciate you sharing information about GD, but the information you provided concurs with most the information provided about GD and although it was written in 2010 it is the same standard outdated information which isn't helpful for most. You suggestion that sweat and heat I agree with as it does seem to make it worse and the very least it does feel worse. but then again that only addresses the symptoms and not the underlying cause. I also wonder at the standard fact given that more men have it then women is confusing as the majority of bloggers on this site and others with GD are women, yet that could be because women will discuss it. I question if the research on which sex is more likely to have GD is outdated. Today's woman may spend just as many hours in the sun as men and there does seem to be a pattern of those with GD being "outside" people. The problem with it is that for those of us blogging on this site and other sites I read the treatments offered in this Mayo information offer no relief. They offer no ideas as to the cause, yes I do believe sun damage is part of it but new information has come about which may eliminate part of the cause and I will explain that later in this message.
In all my years of blogging only a handful report any relief from steroids, a treatment recommended. Personally, although they helped me with Allergic Contact Dermatitis, ACD, symptoms, topical steroids provided no help with GD. Also I tried cortico-steroid injections which would help with my ACD but did nothing for GD relief or remission. I think doctors are trying to treat all eczema equal. They don't try to treat all types of cancer equally.
Some have talked about light therapy and I tried exposing my skin to brief periods of sunlight and the problem is when GD is active sunlight or heat of any kind hurts and I found heat from sunlight or heat from other sources made it worse, just as you mentioned.
I believe the Mayo site needs to be updated. It's a fact that for me and about 50% of us doing a heavy metal detox with fresh or frozen cilantro smoothies daily finally put our GD into remission. Please re-read the GD blog from Feb 2019, the Feb 27 post by kimass1 recommending cilantro changed my life. I wrote up my success with cilantro and that of others on this site and gave it to both of my dermatologists and neither seemed interested in the concept of a heavy metal detox, a natural chelation by drinking fresh or frozen cilantro daily for a few months. At the very least doctors should recommend this as I don't believe any harm can come from trying a natural chelation for a few months. Yes one can get their blood chelated to remove heavy metals with an IV putting in the drug or pill forms, but this home remedy does the same thing without the need of a hospital, lab or doctor.
Why do you think doctors are so reluctant to explore alternative ideas when the old school treatments they keep suggesting aren't giving any relief. .

Hi. I just registered to pass this idea along. I am a 68 year old male. I have had Grover's for a year (no change). I am sure I got it from to much time in the Steam room after a workout. My Dermatologist @ UCLA had never heard of this idea of mine, but I find that before exercise or hot weather ,etc. I don't break out (In fact I dry out) if I apply Zinc Oxide ( Diaper rash cream ) to the rash area. It acts as a kind of shield. Please check with your Doctor but this has worked for me. Best of luck.

I see that others know about the Zinc oxide treatment. It has helped me in sweaty situations.

Have you tried the heavy metal detox with cilantro? Knocked out my GD.