Grover's Disease: Natural Remedies for Relief

This is in response to the post implicating wheat as the possible culprit to Grover's Disease. I had undiagnosed grover's sysmptoms for years when my wife and decided to go gluten free. The aggrivating itching and red bumps on my stomach, chest and back cleared up to a great degree. I was formally diagnosed with Grover's recently. I also recently fell off the wagon and consumed wheat at the direction of my Dr who was testing me for a skin problem related to Celiac Disease (Dermatitis Perfitaformis). Almost immediately my Grover's errupted. I have also recently veered from my diet and consumed wheat products with a corresponding flare in my Grovers. I really believe Grover's may be affected by wheat or even all gluten flours.

I have had Grover's since I was a teenager, but never knew what it was. I am 56 now. My Dermatologist confirmed it a couple of years ago. She suggested using the cream AmLactin which helped, but it was always there. I noticed when I started having fruit smoothies 5 days a week, my skin improved. A couple of months ago I decided to go on a no wheat diet in hopes of helping with inflammation problems. I have fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis and have a lot of pain and stiffness. Well, my pain and stiffness is 60 percent better and the grovers disease seems to be gone for the first time in my life! Oh, and I lost about 7 pounds and feel better than I have in a long time. If I cheat and eat wheat, I am in pain for a couple of days. It is definitely worth a try!

I have been a firefighter for 14 years and have had Grover's ever since. I have tried everything for Grover's Disease. To keep it at bay eat healthy natural foods, avoid excessive heat and stress, cut back on alcohol and caffeine. The underlying problem is within the skin, so foods and supplements good for your skin help fight Grover's. Consider a good hair, skin, and nail vitamin. If you have a flair up use a good mild cleansing soap. If the itch is really bad use ice packs, also rubbing alcohol kills the itch and cleans the area. Again, maintaining a healthy lifestyle works best. Sincerely, Chris

I developed Grover's Disease late June 2021, within 1-2 weeks after receiving the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Still experiencing symptoms after close to 10 months.

OMG this is exactly what happened to me. About a month after the first Pfizer vaccine I got a rash under my breast line. Then it went away after I went to the dermatologist he gave me a cream and it went away. Then a month later I got rashes all over and the itching was unbearable, They took a skin sample and it turned out to be Grovers disease. I never had anything like this in my life. My doctor told me it was from the vaccine. I am like debilitated from the itching and nothing is helping. I am going to go on the antibiotic and if that doesn't work then prednisone. They say that this disease goes away after 12 months but I have it 9 months now and its getting worse. This is a nightmare.

I too got Grovers disease after Pfizer Vaccine. 3-4weeks after 2nd shot. About 4months now I have endured this debilitating disease. I had a biopsy from my dermatologist which of course confirmed Grovers. Will not have the booster they want me to have. Had 19 treatments of light therapy with no improvement. Lack of sleep is a big thing for me and life has taken a big dip in the quality that I was used to. Taking Zinc Oxide, Tea Tree oil, many creams and Blexten Antihistamine. Slight improvement but still covered in rashes. Don't know where to go from here, but I was inspired to be able to share with others.

I got Grovers Disease from the Shingles Vaccine.

This is going to be a long posting, but I want you to know my story too as it might help someone. What happened to Rita below also has happened to me. I am only 39 years old and a female (not the typical lucky person to get GD). I have been a vegetarian most of my life mostly plantbased. I watch what I eat, take great care of my skin. The only link has really been getting the Pfizer vaccine. This has been devastating to me and my family as it has affected what I can do. I can't get hot as this seems to cause it to flare. So no exercising, gardening, etc. And I live on 18 acres.

My story is very similar to yours and I am shocked to see that someone else also believes it was the Pfizer covid vaccine. I got the first dose of Pfizer in January, my 2nd dose on February 2 ( right after I only experienced tiredness, muscle aches, and a slight temperature, but not like some people got after) not until February 7th after using a heating pad on my back. I noticed a rash just below my bra line. Then a few days later it developed on my low back. I wasn't able to get into my dermatologist until March and since I was so young and not a typical patient of Grovers dieases and my GD didn't itch she never even mentioned GD. She diagnosed me with folliculitis right off just by looking at it.

She prescribed doxycycline. And also bleach baths. I hate taking antibiotics. I like to do things naturally. So I tried everything I could natural ( but nothing from this sight since at the time I didn't know I had Grovers) nothing seemed to work. Somedays it would seem it was getting better other days it was worse it was such a frustrating and depressing time. I end up taking an antifungal for 3 days after I was at my wits end to see if it would work before I took an antibiotic. My dermatologist still thinking my Grovers was folliculitis.

In short, the the antifungal only made it somewhat better, but not gone. I ended up taking the antibiotics, but that still wasn't helpful even though my dermatologist said it would clear it right up. It didn't. After being on the antibiotics for a while consulting with my gastro specialist ( to see if there was a link to my rash because of a gut problem which turned out it wasn't) but she suggested I stay on the antibiotics for a while longer to clear up any infection and to take a good probiotic supplement to keep my gut bacteria somewhat healthy while on the probiotic. I ended up going back to the dermatologist and she did a biopsy of my skin condition and it came back Grovers dieases. I was devastated. I thought How in the world did this happen to me especially knowing that there is no cure! And after all this time of trying to treat something else. My dermatologist prescribed a steroid cream which I didn't want to use as long term use on the skin can cause thinning. I continued my research. And found this sight. I have tried a number of things on this sight butt past ( didn't work), still trying supplements suggested here. I have had Grovers for a little over 6 months now. And it does seem to be getting better, but not completely gone. I do occasionally get a red dots here and there with no reason why. I have been using homemade aloe vera (which has seemed to be helping the most) on my skin several times a day and taking supplements because my vitamin D3, zinc, and vitamin A where on the low side as well as my WBC was also low ( probably because of my 27 days on an antibiotic). So I have been adding immune supporting herbals like garlic, probiotics, fermented foods, and oregano on a daily basis. I also started green smoothies again. And on I'm on a strict whole food plantbased diet. I don't eat anything that's not natural. I also purchased some moisture wicking clothes ( not that I sweat, but this has been advised to help). I can't say my Grovers is gone again, but it is better. I feel trapped by the fear it is going to come back even worse though. I check my skin every morning hoping its disappeared completely. I hate that it has held me back from life and I have done so much research and this is the first time anyone else has thought like myself it was due to the Pfizer vaccine!

I have told my dermatologist who waved that idea off real quick as well as the idea that the heating pad I used helped spring on my Grovers even though there is a heat connection. I have since seen another dermatologist who was a little better at hearing me about wanting to be more natural at helping my Grovers and suggested Calendula oil. Its acts as a antinflamatory and has been known to heal and prevent radiation burns for those going thru cancer treatments. I have just started using it and will tell you all if it helps.

But for now I am still testing it. My doctor does believe me that it was the Pfizer vaccine. She is on a nationwide board that hears about reactions to covid vaccine, but hasn't heard of anyone reporting Pfizer as a cause of Grovers. I have tried to report my symptoms to CDC with no luck! I am so frustrated. And there is nothing on the internet about the link. Like I said this is the first post I happened to find someone else that has experienced the same thing.

I feel so helpless at times but have felt better knowing I am not alone in this, with this sight and hearing people's stories has help along with prayer. I hope for our sake with the link of Pfizer vaccine that we have this one occurrence of Grovers disease outbreak and our body will somehow heal/recover and we wont have any reoccurring episodes. I can only hope! I hate that we are the unlucky ones to get Grovers from Pfizer. I wish somehow we could ban together to tell more people about this because I am sure there are more people like us out there, but just don't know what ot is dont have the means to go to a dermatologist, be diagnosed correctly and have someone take them seriously that their Grovers was sparked by the Pfizer vaccine. Please anyone that has received the Pfizer vaccine for covid and has experienced what we have posted your story here for others and hat has helped for you. I know everyone's journey with GD is different and what helps but sometimes what helps one person could help another. And with not much help in the medical world, we have to help out each other.

Thanks for hearing my story. Please post here if you find out any new information as I will too.

BEWARE:

My Husband was given a "Pfizer Vaccine" on Feb. 20,2021. Fourteen days later, he went into a spa, and pool, at a Country Club, and shortly after, begin itching like crazy. His Dermatologist diagnosed him w/Grover's disease. He checked with his Dermatologist if he should get the second Pfizer Vaccine, and his doctor said, yes. So he did. Perhaps, the Pfizer Vaccine has altered my husband's immune system, and with the mixed chemicals of a public spa/pool, explains why the severe rash breakout.

He hasn't changed anything else in his lifestyle, has had excellent skin, no skin conditions, and his recent blood lab work came back excellent. He's never been on any long term prescriptions, and is very healthy. His diet is mostly Whole Food Plant Based, he golfs 3 days/wk., takes vitamins, drinks green kale smoothies daily, eats mostly organic food, low stress, retired, and is a very calm minded person. btw- he has used our spa at our home for past 20 years, and never a problem.

The dermatologist prescribed Fluocinonide, then replaced it w/Triamcinolon, both made everything worse, so he has stopped using it. He's now taking over-the-counter, Bendaryl @ night, and Claritin 24 hour, during the day. And he is now drinking cilantro smoothies, using Boudreaux's Butt Paste, Tumeric 3,000 mg./daily, and lightly spraying apple cider vinegar on some areas of the rash. The ACV does seem to be helpful.

How does someone so healthy, suddenly get GD??!! Go figure..... We are open to all suggestions and thank you to everyone for contributing what has and has not worked for your GD. We shall keep you posted.

I've had a Grover's Disease on and off for 3 years - it was always really mild and went away after a week or two. I've had a horrible outbreak since October 2017 - Its been 5+ months of the most horrible itching from my feet to my neck. I can't sleep and I have bruises all over my body from itching. My dermatologist put me on topical steroids combined with Sarna, both did very little to provide relief. I know from reading lots of posts that many of you have had to endure this disease for years and I am so sorry for you.

This weekend I noticed that I got worse after drinking red wine; I started searching to see if anyone else had the same problem and I found this site. I can't tell you how happy I am that it validated my findings! Wine and anything else with sulfites are now banished from my diet. I also love the advice on eating Cilantro to help/cure the symptoms. Luckily I LOVE Cilantro so I can't wait to go to the store tonight and buy bunches of Cilantro!

I'm very hopeful and I'll report back in a few day on if this remedy works for me or not ......fingers crossed!

Not sure if any are reading these posts now its' Dec 2017. I was diagnosed with Grovers in the late 1990's. I'm a single male in my now late 40's. Seems hard to pin point what the cause is. I didnt have the issue until after going on a cruise to the Bahamas in the 90's not sure if that had anything to do with it., the Sun, intense heat, being fair skinned getting burnt etc.. but regardless went to my family doc, went through the ringer of things including at one point they thought it was Aids... that freaked me out and I'm like How is that possible...? but all test came back negative. and was eventually told I had Grovers. I went to a dermo for years.. never got any long term cure.

for me.. mine seems to pop up the worse in Nov to Dec in the cold months so through winter I have a major issue with it. it seems to always be there, but in the cold months it's much worse and I break out on my upper and lower back and same for chest stomach area. Try being single with this going on and trying to date.. ugh... Rare that I go without a shirt, in the spring an summer my symptoms are not as bad..so I am trying to figure it out.. cold months, heat in the house drying out skin? I was told by the dermo to use lotion after getting out of the shower. pat dry and lotion up.. I have done that for years.

Skip to now.. I can't afford to see a dermo, haven't been since 2008. I don't have health insurance, cant afford it and my job doesn't offer any. So I go to the health dept. they can only do so much but for the past 4 or 5 years. I have been prescribed and using a topical cream (Trimcinolone Acetonide cream 0.1%) and also they will do about a 3 month prescription of Doxycycline Mono 100mg twice daily. neither have made the Grovers go away but make life somewhat tolerable.

Unfortunately the Antibiotic (Doxy) if taken for long periods have caused yeast infections which in turn make you have to take something for that and yes men can get yeast infections just like women its just not as common and its not pleasant either. So I don't take the Doxy as prescribed but the health dept cant do anymore then they have other than refer me to a Dermatologist which would be an out of pocket expense.. having to pay for prescriptions out of pocket is bad enough with no insurance. I'm just tired of the condition.

My diet is the same all year long so I can't see why in the cold months if flares up in the worse way. I don't smoke, I don't drink... if I do its just very rare on a special occasion... like New Years or something.. but I dont drink Wine at all... I have made notes on all the posts and may try some of the things you all have tried to see if I can get some more permanent relief.. just to have the rash to be gone and less itching / irritation (i do my best not to scratch) would be a life changer... last person I dated said it looked like I had Chicken Pox... Major Ego Boost.... lol.. Not...

The one thing that helps is knowing I'm not alone and there are more people out there than I thought that was dealing with this. Most seem to not know about nor never heard of Grovers but I suppose if you don't have it you would. Best of luck to you all in your quest for a cure or relief. I have wondered if you can be treated for Chicken Pox would the same medicine used for that work for Grovers??

Beyond Cilantro - Other Remedies Not Previously Mentioned for Grover's

I'm a 75 year old female diagnosed with Grovers by a dermatologist (primary care physician misdiagnosed Prickly heat) who prescribed topical steroids (which I won't use because of my hypersensitivity to all meds. I have a 3 year history of heart disease and docs made me their guinea pig for meds with horrendous side effects ranging from chronic diarrhea to anaphylactic shock).

Have suffered from Grovers for 1 month now...was keeping me awake with needle-like prickles from 8 pm to 3 am. The night prickles stopped 2 weeks ago when I went on a strict candida-free diet (absolutely no bread and no sugar). Rash is milder now but still evident mostly on chest and belly and some on back. Just started the cilantro smoothie routine, but also made a cilantro pesto (1/4 bunch cilantro and olive oil) poultice for my chest and belly area.

Research on other sites indicates a connection between Grovers and:

1. using electric blanket or heating pad which I have been doing for 3 months (stopped immediately upon reading about the connection) as my feet get ICE cold on Colorado nights (which could be adrenal fatigue?); and

2. Grovers can be activated by strong meds for other conditions (certainly a consideration in my case) and

3. excessive sweat (which I notice between and under my breasts at night) which indicates an imbalance in one's internal thermometer.

I think the presence of heavy metals are also worth examining. Looks like cilantro may play a big role in a cure. Thanks to all of you for your willingness to share what's working! Anxious to try your recipes!

My Grover's disease is so bad it is unbearable. I am a 55 year old woman and this started a couple of years ago - about at the onset of menopause. The disease was diagnosed by biopsy. I am considering undergoing light therapy treatment. Is there any wholistic treatment for this? I have used steroid creams & Atarax but it just will not go away. I really need help. I am itching like crazy and the rash is all over my chest, stomach and my upper & lower back. I can hardly bear it.

I developed Grovers Disease when I had Covid 19, which was confirmed with a biopsy. I had it over my front and back trunk locations. I tried several remedies, and dermatologist prescribed prescriptions, but nothing worked. I finally went to see Dr. William Cole, DO, Sarasota, Florida. He treated me with a proprietary infusion, and medication, and within several weeks, the itching stopped, and the rash began to fade. It continues to fade each week and I would say that it is 90% gone. I believe that my rash was related to my Covid 19 infection, since it occurred at the same time. Dr. Cole believed that my condition was a continuing immune response. It has been seven (7) months since I had Covid and developed the rash. I have read that a lot of cases resolve themselves between 6 to 12 months without any treatment. However, I am truly thankful that I went to see Dr. Cole as I believe his method worked in my particular Covid related disease.

Trying to pin down what is causing more intense outbreaks: My Grovers really increased in the past couple of months. Strangely, I moved from WA to AZ and it hasn't been hot or anything but rather quite cold as of Dec 2. Last summer in WA was very hot and my Grovers didn't change much. I noticed when I went to Disneyland 2.5 weeks ago, I had ZERO issues and it actually cleared up! I was only there 3 days. (BTW, Cilantro is absolutely the best remedy, no doubt.) What I'm trying to do is figure out what I ingest at home that I didn't in CA. My best guess is pure seltzer in aluminum cans (heavy metals) and Cayenne.

My question is if anyone has zero'd in on an ingestible irritant...?