Dietary Changes
★★★★★
I was recently in a coma with bacterial meningitis, GA went away completely. I feel it was milk or wheat or something I am eating because I had none of that for 4 weeks while I was in the coma, It has come back with a vengeance, Thanks for all the suggestions I am going to try them.
DMSO
★★★★★
Enzymes
★★★★★
In days my husband stopped itching(he was itching constantly) and after 5 days his GA is disappearing and he feels so much better. I believe that this condition may be related to Candida. We tried numerous remedies after the usual steroid treatments did not work such as coconut oil, tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, colloidal silver and though these helped relieve symptoms and did help some of the spots lessen, the disease persisted. It is a relatively inexpensive supplement.
(Minneapolis, MN)
11/13/2020
Please can you share the Brand and dosage of the enzymes?
(USA)
11/14/2020
Adrienne,
Since you have not gotten a response about the enzymes, I wanted to tell you that our family has had very good results from an enzyme blend called Neprinol by Arthur Andrew Medical. We followed the instructions on the label. You should take them on an empty stomach, or two hours after a meal.
Gluten-Free
★★★★★
I've tried removing several possible dietary offenders with no success, UNTIL 3 wks ago when I went gluten free. I can't believe this! My skin is actually clearing up! This is the most wonderful thing. Why has no one tested me for gluten sensitivity in all these yrs?
(Cabarlah, Qld.)
09/18/2016
A naturopath I consulted in April advised me that GA was an autoimmune disease due to leaky gut and to avoid dairy, sugar, potato and all gluten, e.g. wheat, barley, rye, all grains. I thought it would be ok to have buckwheat, amaranth, but no. Next stage to avoid legumes.
Gluten-Free
★★★★★
Gluten-Free
★★★★★
Good luck!!
(Orange, Ct)
03/07/2016
I have GA - going on 8 years. It started with one round spot on my left shin and spread to two more spots on my lower left leg. It eventually spread to my right leg. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's - hypothyroidism over 35 years ago. Took Synthroid for many years, now taking generic Armor thyroid. I thought that I might have an allergy to the Synthroid causing the GA. I have tried a dozen creams, mega doses of B3 prescribed by a dematologist, which did nothing for my spots, but gave me acid reflux. I have recently been applying tea tree oil and thyme oil with a cotton ball to my spots. I am going to try applying the ACV topically on my legs, which are sometimes itchy. I also have fibromyalgia. Eating organic, getting a good night's sleep, avoiding sugar, processed foods and gluten all seem to help.
I recently developed symptoms of arthritis and psoriasis. I discovered that cashews and walnuts are high histamine foods, so now I'm not eating those anymore. I am also taking a multivitamin supplement, turmeric, MSM, calcium, magnesium, Vitamin E and drinking green tea. It's too bad that doctors seem clueless as to how to treat GA. It is comforting to know that there are other people out there with the same issues. Thank you for sharing your stories.
(Pa)
03/08/2016
I am also comforted finding this page today. I have had GA now for 2 1/2 years. It started on both my knees & elbows, then one large circle on my foot and now little ones on my legs and other foot. It is so upsetting b/c I ( as I read many here ) have tried so many different creams, oils, supplements etc.. and the only thing the dermatologist recommends is a steroid cream, which I don't want to use and can't now b/c I am pregnant. I am determined to heal this before summer so I can wear shorts and not feel self conscious. I am going to try the ACV topically and internally to start and see what happens-- if I notice any change. I am slightly jaded b/c nothing ever works to change this-- they only get redder and spread. It's so disheartening.
Gluten-Free
★★★★★
Go Gluten-free. I tried everything prior to my discovery of my gluten-intolerance. I tried things such as blood tests for diabetes, lupus, celiac disease plus allergy prick tests. Nothing helped me until I got a stool test. This test showed a significant intolerance to wheat. Once I removed this completely from my diet (and you definitely have to read all food labels! ), it went away. It also seems I have an intolerance to almonds too. I think with all the almond products out there, my body doesn't quite like them either. The removal of these two things completely cleared my skin.
I hope this can help someone! Good luck!
(New Hampshire, US)
11/07/2014
Hi Gluten Free,
Thanks for the info on going gluten free. I seem to have a wheat issue in that it causes bloating when I eat it...but nothing more. However, I have now had the Granuloma Annulare rash for about 3 or 4 years with no results except temporary with steriod creams/ointments. I just tried light therapy but nothing happening with that.
I will take your advice going gluten free and also start taking the apple cider vinegar that others have suggested...and maybe even some green tea. Did you do anything besides go gluten free? Just curious...
D from NH
Hair Dryer and Heat
★★★★☆
This information is from Doug Kaufman on "Know the Cause" on youtube.
Helichrysum Oil
★★★★★
Hydrogen Peroxide
★★★★★
Hydrogen Peroxide
★★★★★
(Whitman, Ma)
05/29/2013
In response to Ed: GRANULOMA ANNULARE IS NOT A FUNGUS!!! Granuloma Annulare is an inflamatory/autoimmune condition.
(Phoenix)
01/10/2014
I am a Granuloma Annulare (GA) sufferer too; the first lesion cropped up 15 months ago on the top of one foot and has since spread upwards on my legs and also appears on my elbows.
I would like to emphasize GA is NOT a fungus. It is an auto-immune disorder that manifests itself in a skin rash; basically our white blood cells are working overtime. If ACV helps you, wonderful (it hasn't had a significant effect in my case), but be careful about taking it in liquid form as it is highly damaging to tooth enamel. ACV pills are available which I take twice daily.
I have also been trying a gluten-free diet, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Although I am by no means rash-free, the condition has not spread beyond my limbs.
Best wishes, everyone. This is one miserable skin disease.
(New Jersey)
07/09/2024
Granuloma Annulare is not a Fungus whatsoever
Infrared Light Therapy, MSM, and Probiotics
★★☆☆☆
The GA has gotten worse in the last 5 years. It is all over my arms, hands, legs and trunk, and only the spots on my hand has disappeared once for 6 months, and reappeared worse.
The medications made me sick, and nothing natural has worked. I've tried most of the remedies listed except pregnenolone. Although for a few years, when the GA wasn't as bad, I was taking MSM, probiotics and vitamin D.
I have found the more time I'm actually in the sun with skin exposed, the better. I only take vit D in winter, and eat foods to activate my vitamin d receptors.
I bought an infrared UV Light 4 weeks ago and have started with 3x per week for 5 minutes, and now am up to 10 mins 3x per week.
I'm currently taking 3000 IU of VIT D with my evening meal, magnesium bisglysinate, and cod liver oil. I am intermittent fasting, eat very healthy, 2 meals a day, and low carb. With no results, ( except for better blood sugars, etc. )
I will be adding MSM and the probiotics L casei, L Reuteri, acidophilus, bifidus and Rhamnosis for Vit D absorption, and autoimmune diseases (such as eczema).
(somewhere, europe)
02/15/2023
Ala, have you tried external application of coconut oil?
Ionic Detox Foot Baths
★★★★☆
I am now 65. It has been fading for almost 3 yrs. It started fading only after I was under the care of chiropractor. I had cortisone ointments, creams prednisone, injected cortisone shots & nothing worked. I also took ACV tabs & lysine, biotin&D3 supplements, nothing. I was told it was most likely brought on by stess. I also, had blood tests & a colonoscopy & nothing turned up unusual. That was 3 yrs ago. I still have lesion marks, on my arms legs, top of feet, & torso. I am doing ion detox foot baths, I have had 3 (1st one was 5 days ago) and I am amazed how much toxins are leaching out of my feet. The water was brownish black & had a fishy oder to it. Mostly liver & cell tissue. I am beginning to see my lesions fade even more..
For those of you who are adults, I would look into a reputable med spa & have the ion detox foot bath and also lymphatic drainage massage. Because toxins in your body are NOT good. Also, I have never smoked and occasionally will have wine or alcohol.
I will do the ion detox foot bath 2 more times, I am driving back to Mn. next week. I hope to find somewhere in the Twin Cities that do these. Also, @ the Med Spa in Parker its $30.00 a time..
P.s. This is a short version of this crap called Generalized disseminated Granuloma annulare.....
Bonnie from Stillwater, Mn.
B: Thanx for the positive post on detoxing. If I might add, doing the ion detox spa from health professionals is a great start, but if you think that many more spas may be necessary you can purchase your own unit from the internet and use in your home. Also, I find detox foot pads very effective for cleansing.
Also, it is a good practice to take herbal antibiotics like Garlic, Oregano, Neem, Mrrrh, Echinacea, Oregon Grape, Olive Leaf, etc as there are a number of residual parasites & pathogens released back into the bloodstream fallowing the spa (most go into the spa water). Clay, or Charcoal may be necessary before retiring.
You may also consider the detox mineral hot baths recommended here on E.C. 1/4 cup Borax & 1/4 cup Epsom Salts for 1 hr once per wk until better.
L-Lysine
★★★★★
Low Dose Naltrexone
★★★★★
My Dermatologist started me on Hydroxyclor which had little or no impact on the GA but REALLY helped my arthritic fingers. Great, but still GA was a huge issue.
In Placerville we have Grandpa's Pharmacy, a compounding medication pharmacy which makes their own compounds right there on the premises. I called them after I read how they helped someone else with another issue totally unrelated to GA and asked if they had something for me. The pharmacist suggested I try Low-Dose Naltrexone and explained I would need a Dr's RX to get it. I composed an impressive release of liability for my Dr, which even extended to any claims my children may present if I died from this treatment, laced up my combat boots and asked my Dr. for the RX. She was reluctant, but saw I was serious (I asked her where she got her first clue) & she gave me the RX.
I have been taking Low-Dose Naltrexone as a capsule for 6 weeks now and the rash on the inside of my wrists is gone, the bumps on my knuckles are barely visible, the rash all over my back and the rest of my body is about 50% of the boldness that it was and I am not finding it in any new places. The Pharmacist said it may take up to 9 months, and I am seriously considering a maintenance dose once I have totally won.
Incidentally, it has been surmised that I am the lucky winner of GA thanks to the triangular shaped tick that bit me in February of 2014. I was elated to find that Low Dose Naltrexone seemed to be helping me and I waited until I was REALLY SURE before I risked offering any false hope to other members of this exclusive circle of creepy embarrassment. And good luck, I hope this works for everyone who needs this information. You would think there would be studies going on to learn how to eradicate this condition, but since that does not seem to be the case, we must help each other when we can. I hope this information helps you. Nancy
(Missouri)
07/09/2015
★☆☆☆☆
Nancy, I'm glad the low-dose Naltrexone worked for you! I had high hopes for it as well.
I've had Granuloma Annulare for over 40 years. It has only gone away for me while I was pregnant (26 years ago)... came back with a vengeance once my daughter was born.
I also have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis... so I have tried the low-dose Naltrexone (LDN), have been on it at both 2mg and 3mg doses for over a year and my GA (both Generalized and Localized varieties) has not improved at all. I am continuing with the LDN however just because it helps me sleep extremely well and I am rarely sick with a cold or virus anymore.
I do have a couple small patches of GA on my face and eyelids, huge rings on my hands (these are the only tender painful areas), some on my feet and stomach, a lot on my elbows and my neck/chest area. I have tried ACV, Clobestol (watch out! This is super potent.. it has ruined the skin on my hands), Plaquenil, all sorts of lotions, creams, vitamins and other home remedies to no avail.
To parents of small children: In almost every case of childhood GA, it will clear on it's own within a couple years. It seems to become chronic more often when it starts in the teenage years (as it did with me) or in adulthood.
(Ma)
07/13/2017
If you are on this message board still, Nancy, this helped another Nancy a lot. I have just started LDN for GA and still getting new spots, more of them in fact. But this gives me hope that when I get up to a fuller dose and stay with it there may be more help to come. Plus I love your sense of humor and thoughtfulness. Thank you.
