Grover's Disease: Natural Remedies for Relief

Last summer I was diagnosed with Grover's disease .. Fought it all summer.. it came back this summer ..a friend of mine told me her secret to treating it. Monistat 7 cream ..applied 2-3 times a day. I did this and within 3 days it's almost gone!

I contracted Grover's Disease 10 years ago when I lay in bed for 3 months following a head-on collision that broke my bones in 27 places. Several months ago I discovered that coating the area with Hibiclens, a strong and inexpensive antibiotic available without a prescription, for a couple minutes when I take my morning shower, almost completely eliminates the pustules, at least by 80%. Aloe vera or coconut oil also help a little. I am currently applying the Hibiclens only every other day, and I have not experimented to see if I stay cleared up if I stop the Hibiclens.

Hi Timothy,

Can I just check your dosage of Vit D3? Is it a total of 400IU, or is it 4 x 400IU? I'm expecting it to be be the latter, but just thought I should check.

cheers

I was diagnosed with Grover's by biopsy in Dec 2015. Symptoms began in 2013. I had itchy red spots on lower legs. In mid 2015 I started to feel itchy but I could ignore it. In the fall I figured it was allergies. It progressed in the winter which was when I had the biopsy. I was also very stressed. I took benadryl every day from Late Dec thru April. I decided that was not good for me.

I continue putting emollient creams on my skin, I eat healthy, I don't drink alcohol, I take vitamins, during the past week I increased vit d from 1000 iu to 3000. My scalp, arms, legs, back, face, stomach, are all affected. It seems worse before seeing the red dots. The itchiness is always with me. I've tried cortisone creams, neosporine, vicks, etc. I get most relief when putting on rich Eucerine cream then by adding Alocane. Still itchy but tolerable!! I also stay in AC. Heat and sweating make it worse! It's hard to work out during summer months. I am able to walk indoors with AC most of the time. Any other tips? I wish it would go away.

Grover's Skin Disorder and Polycythemia Vera:

Hello out there. Could use some help here in regards to the Grovers issues, read the oil pulling, which I hope will help and going to take Coconut oil capsules as well with using the oils recommended. The Poly Vera have had for 7 years and treated with med and blood withdraws. Yuk but it works. Anybody out there that has this? Thanks.

I also have PV for 22 years and was just diagnosed with Grovers. Have you had any success in treating Grovers?

Judy and Martin, I don't have PV, I just have grover's disease.

I too have been diagnosed with Grover's Disease. The prescription medicines don't do a thing. I have been using Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil as a moisturizer for about a week. I have also been ingesting about a teaspoon daily along with taking Borage Oil. Although the rash is still there and going strong, the itching is definitely better and my skin is getting softer and softer.

Eating it is not the most pleasant thing, but it does go own quickly. If you want you can freeze small pieces and just take like a pill.

I found another plus to the coconut oil...it increases my energy and somehow acts as a diet aid. I have lost 3 pounds in one week!

Good luck to all! Lisa

I have also been diagnosed with Grovers (over 15 years and counting). I am in the middle of a horrendous flare up and have been told to go on drugs that are really scary. This morning I was so inflamed that I got ice packs and put them on the worst areas. OMG! This was awesome. The blisters have almost disappeared and I am no longer itching uncontrollably. And the best part is that other parts of my body where I didn't put the ice packs have calmed down. I am not cured but I am not so out of control that I'm miserable. (I've had several emotional breakdowns this week due to the uncontrollable itching) I have been doing some crazy stuff to try to stay off the drugs. I have bathed using a solution of olive oil and sea salt (stings like crazy), then put on hydrogen peroxide (I was told today that this was bad b/c HP breaks down skin but it seems to be working for me), and then used triamcinolone cream and topped with coconut oil. But the life saving thing was the ice packs on the areas that were so out of control. I live in south Florida so I am also laying out in the sun for 15 minutes on each side every day.

Hi I was diagnosed today and am overwhelmed! I had this since July and finally at Shands in Gainesville I got diagnosed I have used the coconut oil with no relief. I see you are laying in the sun a few minutes a day and it doesn't bother you.

I have had the condition for 15 years. I use prescription steroid creams when flare ups get bad. Went to the BVI's last year and stayed on a catamaran for a week. Rash disappeared for a few weeks when I got back home. I asked the doctor if it was the salt water that made it better. He said it was the UV light from being in the sun so much. Does anyone know about UV light treatments? Tanning bed? Light I can buy and use at home?

For those who wonder; some people may have good results with UV light treatments, but others may have breakouts because of it. Each individual reacts differently. I was diagnosed with GD in 2011 (six months after a surgery). The rash comes and goes away, but I believe that my worst outbreaks are caused by exposure to the sun (I have a terribly dry skin due to hypothyroidism so it doesn't help). My skin completely cleared while on vacation in Europe, but after coming back home and a few walks on the beach, I started to break out again.

Some people have had success with Terrasil.I tried it myself, but it didn't seem to do anything for me. Gluten free diet has not helped me either. Good luck!

I have been battling Grover's disease for 16 years. At first the only help I got was from injections of kenelog and prednisone once a day for about 16 months. It settled down after that and I could control the flair-ups with a prescription cortizone cream. My husband passed away and my whole life has changed. Went from lovely country home in Tennessee to condo in Maryland to be near son whom I seldom see. Last week I had a flair up of Grover's like in the beginning and once the prednisone was finished it started all over again. I am desperately in need of help. The itch is like being in a red ant hill and it is even in my scalp. I am 67 and while my life is not at all like I would like it, the Grover's is about to drive me over the edge.

Read the Book, Your Own Perfect Medicine: The Incredible Proven Natural Miracle Cure that Medical Science Has Never Revealed by Martha Christy.

My advice is do not use peroxide. I did and became inflamed with a different rash and another visit to the dermatologist. It is very harsh on the skin and I've read not even to put it on small wounds or cuts.

I am so interested in this concept myself...I have had Grover's disease for 13 months and am always wanting to use natural products instead of all the medicines the doctors prescribe. Please let me hear from you so I can start on these as soon as possible.

The idea is to not sweat.

In the sum the U/V will burn you but the IR will make you sweat. There are special effective parts of UV spectrum that need to be nurtured. Avoid factors that can cause and aggravate the condition, such as high environmental temperatures, significant sweating, and conversely dry skin.

Mayo Says: Phototherapy involves exposing the skin to controlled amounts of natural sunlight or can include the use of artificial ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Because exposure to light can sometimes intensify Grover's disease, light therapy should be directed by a dermatologist who has experience treating patients with Grover's disease.

Do you use the oregano straight or do you dilute it with coconut oil. I bought some of the essential oil oregano and plan to start using it but I was told not to put it on without diluting it?????? My husband has just been diagnosed and he is miserable and broke out all over

How was the outcome longterm?

I was told that the sun and heat was a major cause of the flair up. Is the sun helping you?

Grover's Disease: I am a 78 yr old female diagnosed by biopsy....... been told that my case is severe includes back, legs and both arms. Itching is outrageous...any ideas are greatly appreciated.....even tried kelp paste and very hot showers/..nothing has been effective....derms have sent me to specialist..// at jmh..have been told there is no cure......it will go away......hope to hear from someone.....

Dear Avvidor,

What have you tried other than kelp paste and hot showers? I noticed several things on the Earth Clinic page that have helped...Iododral and B-complex. I am wondering if you have tried these.

Carrot juice also comes to mind as something I would try. The high vitamin A is good for skin and it is a good detox for the body. But it can be an investment if you don't have a juicer or one you could borrow. Drinking a quart a day of carrot is doable, though you might start with less to make sure it doesn't bother you. (Like a cup a day and work up to a quart a day.) I have had a quart a day for a couple of weeks with no adverse affects.

Do keep us posted...I hope you are feeling better soon.

~Mama to Many~

Avvidore: Watch raw food videos. The80/10/10ers have recovered from everything. You can also take the best all in one formula according to Mike Adams from natural news, a 30 herb blend, mostly wild harvested from deep in the amazon jungle. A Finnish company checked the electromagnetism with a tesla scope and the energies were so high they had to recalibrate their instrument. The preperation is called sparygic. The caps are called liquizons. The owner's girl friend happens to be Olivia Newton John. She takes 3 tsp. Daily.

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.

Hi,

Itching is helped with large doses of Vitamin C. I have taken up to 20 grams of Vitamin C to cure it and it works really well. Since Vitamin C is also one of the best anti-allergics, so I think it treats the itching by removing allergies.

Hi again... after I posted, I thought of a few more things that might be worth a try...

Turmeric - this is great for inflammation. It is also anti-tumor. 1 t. 2-3 x a day. You could take 4 00 capsules to make 1 t. Or you could mix the powder with milk. (Some people like it that way... I don't! I mixed it with honey to get my 4 year old to take it.

Vitamin C - another thing that helps many diseases. Doctoryourself. com has lots of stories and talks about how to dose it.

Coconut Oil- read about how many things this helps here on earthclinic. You could do oil pulling or just take it internally. (1-3 T. A day... Start with 1 or 2 t. a day and work your way up.)

Let us know what helps you! ~ Mama to Many

So what's the easiest way--just toss them back? I only have a couple of hens, so don't get 6 eggs/day. May need more chickens. Will this help my insomnia? I'm the terrible insomniac on this forum for whom nothing works. Thanks so much for your input.

I don't think there is a cure per se - though I am not a doctor. I was told it just has to run its course (this of course after I got it checked out and the doctor told me it was Grover's Disease). Best remedy for the itching: Sarna lotion. It helped tremendously!! Be prepared - Grover's Disease can last for months, but does eventually go away on its own.

I've had Grover's Disease for many years, and was FINALLY diagnosed a couple of years ago. I had a second biopsy just to make sure and confirm. The ONLY thing that has worked (medication-wise) has been Accutane. I'm not thrilled about having to take it again, (this will be the second time), but, I'm miserable. I'm interested in finding a doctor that specializes in Grover's. Anyone know of one in the US??? Thanks.

I have to disagree.... In SOME cases grover's can go away on its own. I have suffered for 25 years. Almost always in some sort of break out somewhere on my body. The only relief for me has been acutane. Don't love going on it but it stopped it completely while taking it. After two months off it erupted in full force. I would like to try a natural remedy and I have in the past, but nothing really worked. I'm still searching.

I have had success with hydrogen peroxide. At the sign of an outbreak I use towelettes soaked in hp. I have spray bottles too. It will usually knock it down after a week or so. That way I can avoid a course of antibiotics. I also take lukewarm showers twice a day.

Turmeric is worth a try but in order for turmeric to do its job it needs to be accompanied with black pepper (piperade).

I have Grovers too and I've been taking turmeric in its raw form as well as organic ground for 3 years (only just had it diagnosed) but it hasn't helped my Grover's. I have only just started with coconut oil with neem oil mixed in with it. I'm trying to see if that will help as I don't want to put that cream on anymore.

This makes me think it's the herbicides and pesticides that have become so prevalent. Just like, it's not the glutton, it's the glyphosate, they do not make booze the traditional way any longer and grains are sprayed with glyphosate to kill it so they can harvest without waiting on Mother Nature. But good to know, I had recently started drinking a bit and had a flare. Thank you, I will keep this in mind.

I have had GD (apparently!) for many years and many misdiagnoses! I have always been in the sun and believed this was probably the cause. After trying several meds & lotions, nothing seems to help. The big difference I'm reading here is that mine doesn't really itch. Wine (especially red) is something I started drinking within the last 10 years & now I'm wondering if that could be the culprit! Thinking I might try the coconut oil as well...

It's almost 6 yrs now...and counting! First attack occurred during visit to Key West. (but I live in FL, so that should not have been the factor) My dermo thought it was "shingles" (OMG!! ). I used that cream twice and the dermo realized he was on wrong track. New diagnosis was Grover's. He said nothing cures it. I tried going lactose-free, changed laundry detergent, went glucose-free for about 2 wks, but nothing changed. Only blessing is....the itch is not the big problem as initially. Since I drink red wine daily, I'm beginning to wonder if that is the culprit???

Not sure the alcohol is completely the cause of Grover's disease. I have never had a drink, not even in college, and have suffered with the disease for the past fifteen years. I have spent way too much time in the sun, however. Oddly, sun exposure helps with outbreaks. This is a very frustrating disease and seems to react differently in every individual. I also tested negatively for any gluten intolerance.

Hi guys, I was diagnosed with GH a month ago, sweating makes it worse, Dr says its in my blood from family, my uncles also have it, I saw eating less bread and focussing on water and fresh vegs actually helps me cope, but I'm a female in menopause, imagine heat with GH, it itches like crazy in my face, the ointment I have helps but very expensive, I was with 100 % glycerine soap only...it much better, u can try Preparation H, it does help a little bit, coconut oil makes me its more, make-up makes it worse for me...not an easy way of life, wanting to scratch your face off...

I think it's the yeast in the beer...bread aggravates it also, no wheat or yeast, it makes it worse

I read about how baby powder with zinc oxide and 1000 mg of garlic pills helps with Grover's disease. When do you start to see results? How long does it take for the rash to completely go away? Is there any particulars on how and when to take this remedy? Is there a specific nappy baby powder to be used? Thanks!

Oh yes, this is the rest of my story. I read that Mayo clinic has linked Grover's to too much mercury in your system. So I ate garlic as my regular snack. I am now going to be tested by Quicksilver Labs with a new test for mercury. This might be why the garlic pills work. After I get the test results, I am going to a specially trained dentist to have my mercury fillings removed. I now understand your dentist has to be specially trained to remove mercury fillings from your mouth. Be sure to check this info out before you have any fillings removed.

I know you posted a while back. And sadly, I wish what the comment about metal fillings was true. I've held a dental license for over 20 years and there is NO proof that the removal of dental fillings does any help in this area, or really and any area. If it did, I would be the first to shout it from the roof tops. I wish my fiancée's cure to Grover's disease was this simple. That means that I (I.E.- ME AND MY CLOSE COLLEAGUES) could and would, all afflicted tomorrow. However he has NO metal fillings nor metal joints. This is nothing more that hocus pocus and wishful feelings..

Hi l am a 56 year old woman and was diagnosed with Grovers 10 years ago, unlike all of the blogs l have it on my upper legs and they are not itchy. I feel l may have been misdiagnosed.