Replied By Tom (Apex, Nc) on 03/18/2013
Hey man, still clear?? I have been suspecting bourbon and am eaten up with the rash now. Nothing has helped from the derm or the web. GO STATE!! TomReplied By Bob (Chapel Hill) on 08/16/2013
Just checked mayo clinic because they know... Duh, nothing. So it's up to us to educate them! Scotch and bourbon are the problem. Due to the damage they do to the liver. My experience is cirrhosis, fatty build up in the liver, degrading it's ability to remove sulfides. So they get passed to the intestines, which convert them to sulfuric acid. Which gets absorbed in the blood, and the body expels them in the sweat glands. So Bobs theory is Grover's is not a pathogen, no fungus, no virus. It's a chemical reaction. It's exactly like the eufedex I use on sun damaged skin. So get a blood test, check GGT level. You asked if I was clear, answer yes, and no. Spent several months with my father who passed, and I was careless and drank more. And Grover's returned. And GGT levels rose. I backed off the alcohol, Grover's is now under control. Damned, the things we do to ourselves!Replied By Vezza Rose (Ohio) on 04/28/2015
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.Replied By Tim (Ellitcott City, Md) on 05/25/2015
Bob - thank you, thank you, thank you!!! After 20 years of Grover's every winter it's finally gone! As soon as I read you post about wine and scotch the light bulb went off - RED WINE! After years of trying colon cleanses, vitamins, probiotics and elimination diets I realized never cut out the wine - duh. I made the mistake of lumping all alcohol into one category - "I never had a problem with the tons of beer I drank in college". So for me, it is not the sulfites, I verified this by drinking white wine for weeks now. Lesson learned for the rest of you - WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING YOU EAT OR DRINK! I thought I could just muse it over in my head and get it all. I also wouldn't rule out locations you spend a lot of time in (maybe its mold in walls or something).
Thanks again Bob.
Replied By Dean (Ohio) on 07/16/2015
I finally found out this week after itching for 2 years that I have Grover's disease...I like drinking beer so do you think that may cause this?Replied By Ann D. (Delray Beach, Fl) on 12/02/2016
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???Replied By Carol (Canton, Connecticut) on 05/12/2017
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.Replied By Chante (South Afrika) on 03/30/2018
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...Replied By Chante (South Afrika) on 03/30/2018
I think it's the yeast in the beer...bread aggravates it also, no wheat or yeast, it makes it worseReplied By Rsw (Oh) on 03/31/2018
Hi Chante,
Please look under the “Grover's Disease” section here on Earth Clinic (just click on the title of your message) and you will see people who say that eating cilantro cures Grover's Disease. If you can get some cilantro, try eating a handful for a week, and see if it doesn't help you. Best wishes!
