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.
Medicinal Mushrooms
★★★★★
Medicinal Mushrooms
★★★★★
(New Hanover)
03/26/2018
MSM
★★★★★
Noxema
★★★★☆
While this remedy seems to be working at a snail's pace, it is working. At the rate of improvement we are seeing, hopefully in a few years her legs will be all clear.
Pentoxifylline
★★★★★
Successful Treatment of Generalized Granuloma Annulare with Pentoxifylline
I am going to try this if I can find a Dr. who will help me. Let me know if anyone has experienced with this treatment.
Pregnenolone
★★★★★
I have zero clue if 1 of these 2 things are the reason I am in fantastic shape or if it is a combination of both. I take 30mg Pregnenolone w/ my daily meds. I also spray Colloidal Silver on a cotton ball at night and rub it on legs and arms. I know nothing about these 2 items other than since I started about a month ago, arms are pretty clear, and my legs are smooth. You have to look hard to see anything now.
However, if I forget to swab the silver, they appear to get redder and can be seen. I am assuming if I can continue, things will leave. I have struggled with 2-3 fingerpads on each hand having the GA under the skin where it leaves a major ridge and is VERY painful. Since doing this, all fingers are clear. I did see a dermatologist, did the creams, said they would probably go away on their own, etc. and no real cure. Let him put shots into finger (thought I was going to die from the pain and I have a high thresh hold). Nothing helped. I am convinced my 2 options are working beautifully. I could be one or the other, but since I started them together, I don't know! I am thankful for this website and posts.
Pregnenolone
★★★★☆
Pregnenolone
★★★★★
(Texas)
03/16/2015
Does your wife continue to take the pregnenolone, or did she take it only until the condition cleared up? I just read several medical articles about it. In general, the reports are good, but mentioned several problems that could arise if it is taken for an extended period of time. I'm going to try it anyway. My GA has just begun, and I don't want it going any farther!
(Mississippi)
05/31/2015
Have you tried this method for Granuloma Annulare yet. I've been suffering for 10 years now. Tried Apple Cider Vinegar, pills injections, ointments, gluten free diet. So far nothing helps GA. HELP. It looks so bad I have this on tops of feet legs arms hands and now new spot first time on my stomach. I hate when people look at me like a freak show.
(Miami)
09/25/2015
I have had GA since 1999. I have tried everything except for oral steroids because they only work while taking them and then the GA comes back. I find when I limit yeast and grain intake and take probiotics it helps, but recently the GA started getting much worse no matter what. I just ordered Pregnenolone and will try that when I get back from my next trip. In the meantime, I am going to start the Lysine because that does help.
Treat as a Blood Condition
★★★★★
I truly believe the problem is that granuloma is treated as a skin condition when it is NOT a skin condition. It is a blood condition like left-shift Leukocytosis (increased white blood cells). There have been no direct studies that I know of but I do know that a dermatologist can not cure it. Perhaps a hematologist can treat the Leukocytosis and that will cure the symptom, I.e., the white blood cells clumping up to the surface of the skin appearing as a rash.
(Australia)
03/09/2015
I've had chronic Granuloma Annulare for 44 years and in all that time it only disappeared for 2 years and then came back with a vengence. I have tried all the treatments including injections of cortisone over long periods of time to no effect. I then turned to natural therapies but still have not found anything that's effective, including apple cider vinegar. But now I'm beginning to agree that Dennis from Florida might be onto something regarding it being a blood condition. Now if only we could find a suitable treatment for that then there might be a chance. Another thing I've noticed is most articles say GA is not painful. That's not true. I suffer great pain in my hands when I do things and also when I knock or bump them. Please tell me I'm not the only one who experiences this.
(Ohio)
05/05/2015
(Tn)
09/27/2015
I developed this stuff on my left hand only in my thirties, and I'm now 62. I really did nothing for it because doc says there's no cure and it was just itchy and red. Then it switched to my right hand only for about six months. Then, walla, it just went away about a year ago. Does this stuff go into remission for whatever reason and could return? I've had no surgeries; nothing different in my life other than a three month period of great stress due to family illness.
(Missouri)
11/24/2015
"Does this stuff go into remission for whatever reason and could return?"
Yes and yes. Granuloma Annulare just goes away on it's own for some people, especially children. I have heard of people with GA that become clear for years and then it will return.
It is probably auto-immune in that it almost always disappears during pregnancy and comes back after the baby is born (like many other auto-immune diseases).
(Western Slope, Co)
02/02/2016
Dhanishta; Don't feel alone! I have a high threshold for pain but now when I bang the top of my hands where my major rings are, it hurts and for a long time. A real wounded painful ache like damage was done. I now have new rings expanding from the edges of old rings. Now on both hands, up my arm around my elbows and around an ankle. My first spot started exactly where I had a localized X-ray. But I fear my main culprits were wasp and hornet stings I get in the summers working outside. I didn't react badly at the time but am now breaking out at at those attacked areas. It is horrid! I will experiment and will inform with any positive results. I will try hemp oil and lotions, since I live in Co. And will see if that helps. Good luck all!
(Usa)
04/20/2016
You are not the only one as far as when I bump them there is intense pain. It doesn't last long but I usually develop another under the skin nodule. I have the generalized type.
(Oklahoma)
06/27/2017
My GA is on the tops of both hands. It hurts very bad if I bump them on something. It also tends to itch occasionally but not very often.
Turmeric
★★★★☆
This is what she wrote: In response to the comments on granloma annulare, I have my own experience to add. I too, had the rash on my hands, but also on my arms and back. I would get worse in the cooler months of the year, and much better in the summer. I'm guessing from the sunlight. I saw a dermatologist and got a topical cream and got cortisone injections in the worst spots, neither of which did anything to reduce all the large bumps. It wasn't until I started taking turmeric supplements that I noticed a difference. All of the spots disappeared fairly quickly and have not returned. I have been taking turmeric (with pepper extract) for over two years now, and haven't had any flare ups at all. I hope this helps someone.
I myself have been looking for a cure also. Mine keeps coming back on my legs especially my knees. Sometimes it is gone for several months. I have used apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, golden seal, oreganol, tea tree oil, clear nails topical because of the great ingredients and head and shoulders. They all seem to help. But I do believe we are all dealing with a type of blood desease so though we attempt to address this topically and it seems to go away for a time, it eventually comes back. At least it has for me. It makes me think it is in our foods. Who knows. The doctors sure don't know yet.
Turmeric
★☆☆☆☆
Vitamin C
★★★★☆
At 63 I found that it was exacerbated by alcohol and caffeine so I stopped and it SLOWLY got better but never fully went away. So now I'm taking about 2,000mg of vitamin C daily and that really helped... I drink wine and coffee without worry. get VC and take it throughout the day ALL DAY. I bought cheap C at walmart and break the 1000mg pills in two. Sometimes I just take the entire 1000 mg.
Vitamin D Spray, Probiotics and Vitamin C
My son who is nearly 19 is now breaking out all over with GA and I'm suspecting that it's because of his extremely high stress level and eating college food. Normally we don't eat any junk, but that has been added to his diet since eating dorm food. So he is now taking the Vitamin D spray. I do believe that since this is a auto-immune problem that the Vitamin D, probiotics and Vitamin C should help with his immune system and also help his "gut" where we need to start. It all makes sense. Why I have 2 children with GA doesn't make sense to me however. We are also starting Krill Oil and Oregano oil in capsule form to see if they have any benefit.
(Denver, Co)
03/13/2015
Where can I find the Vitamin D spray? Any type of probiotics? My son who is 8.5 has Granuloma Annulare on the backs of both his legs and the top of his foot. Have had GA for over 3 years now. Creams don't work. Tried the shot on the one on his foot and it's only scabbed over. The doctor said the ones on his legs weren't able to have the shots. They are getting bigger and kind of spreading :( any other advice you have???? Thanks!!!
(Newton, Nj)
04/16/2015
I am so frustated with this! I've tried everything to try to get rid if this.Creams, steroid pills, shots. It started on my arm, elbow , forearm, now it's on my knees, thighs, and stomach. Tonight I'm putting on a mixture of crushed aspirin and ACV. Some one told me to try this mixture at night. Believe me, only try it if your going too bed. It stinks. I'll give all of you an update in about a week, pray that something happens and I can give you all good news.Feel For You All, Know All About It.
M. Love, Tammyu
(Franklin, Tn)
05/31/2015
Glad to hear about all the ways you can possibly treat this problem. I'm 61, had it diagnosed more than 30 years ago. It has only been on my hands, one hand at a time. The lesions would form, and yes, they are itchy and painful if you get your hand wedged on the spots or hit them on something. Ouch. One day after turning 61 I noticed they had all gone, I guess in remission, and hope they don't come back. I haven't changed my eating habits or anything, but had no idea they could form all over your body like that. I'll certainly pray for all of us for a cure and wish everyone the best. Glad to have found this forum because something tells me this is not the end of this.
Vitamin E, Tea Tree Oil
| 5 star (1) | 50% | |
 (1) |
50% |
★★★★★
(Cameron, Sc)
04/17/2012
(Lloydminster, Alberta)
09/22/2016
I am 60 yrs old and have have had GA for over 20 years. I also have tried a lot of creams and oils and I want to warn people about the dangers of the steroid creams. Please never use them on your children and never use them too long on yourself. I didn't pay attention and now the skin on the backs of my hands is very thin and easily torn and very sensitive. I have had from severe to mild over the years and 1 thing I have noticed is it seemed to get worse when my skin is dry. Since I started using regular coconut oil to moisturize it seems to really help. I don't know anyone else with this condition so I was delighted to find this site! Thanks for all your tips!
(Brisbane, Qld.)
09/24/2016
