Vitamin A
★★★★★
I'm going to continue for another week, and then reassess whether I should continue on a decreased dosage of Vitamin A.
Best to All
(Michigan)
06/04/2022
Vitamin A
★★★★★
(Queens)
04/26/2018
(Bronx, Ny)
04/28/2018
I just bought it from GNC. I started taking 50000 and went up to 50000 3x a day. I would check with your dr first since high doses aren't safe for very long but I'm not planning on staying on this more than a few weeks.
(St Petersburg, Fl)
05/12/2018
Vitamin A
★★★★★
About 1 1/2 weeks ago I began taking 48,000 IU of Vitamin A each day. This consisted on two capsules 3 X daily, 8,000 IU each capsule for a total of 48,000 each day. It could be just coincidence, but 10 days later my Grover's Disease is almost 100% gone. I plan on continuing this dosage until I have no signs of the disease then gradually reduce the dosage to a maintenance dosage of 1 Vitamin capsule each day, or 8,000 IU.
I hope this helps as much as I believe it helped me.
(New Zealand)
08/09/2017
Hi Pet,
I am interested in trying your Vitamin A dose to heal Grovers. I have had Chronic Grovers for nearly 2 years and would do just about anything to fix it. However, I have read that high doses of preformed (supplemental) Vit A can be toxic and quite dangerous. I would be interested to know how you are doing now and if the process continues to heal and are you now on the daily maintenance dose you stated? Thanks and all the best.
(Scottsdale)
01/25/2018
i was just diagnosed with Grover's today. I will try your Vit A therapy tomorrow. Thanks for the info.
(Newport Beach, Ca)
01/25/2018
★★★★★
I was recently having a flareup of Grovers over the past 3 - 4 months on both shoulders and upper arms. The itching was maddening and while I had had a couple of other outbreaks of grovers in the past on chest and back, I had not experienced the itching before. And the symetrical upper arms and shoulders was new as well. So I came back to this forum to read about folks experiences and was reminded about the coconut oil which I had some success with in the past and started applying to the areas twice daily. I dont find that coconut oil abates grovers for me but that it calms it down and helps with itching immensely. Then after seeing the prior posts about Vitamin A I thought I would do that as well. I already take 75,000 iu of Vitamin A daily - I have had surgery that makes me malabsorb Vit-A so I take this high dose to begin with but went ahead and upped to one more pill and have been taking 100,000 iu daily almost two weeks now and the grovers and itchiness is about 95% gone. This was a life saver for me after months of suffering.
Vitamin A
★★★★★
(Texas)
06/19/2016
(California, Md)
07/19/2016
(Virginia)
12/26/2016
Here are the vitamins that you can cause adverse reactions if you overdose on them: Vitamins A, D, E & K.
(St Augustine, Fl)
01/07/2017
Natalie, thanks for the input. I lived in CA for over 40 years. I moved to Florida 2015. That is when I broke out with GD. I ride bike, and sweat a lot on my chest. I also run into 'no-see-ums' and get several bites each time. Never have I got so many insect bites in my life since living in FL . So it sounds like, heat, sweat and insect bites are the combination of my reaction of GD.
(Long Island, Ny)
02/14/2018
Thank you to you Grover's Disease sufferers for this blog. I have been looking for something to treat this annoying and life-interrupting disease. This winter's eruption is my worst ever. Belly and back covered and sooooo itchy. Went back to the Derm MD and got nowhere. Still prescribing steroidal cream which never helps and tells me to moisturize. Ugh! I am at my whits ends with a solution. Like you all, I have tried everything. Only relief I got was from jojoba oil mixed with peppermint essential oil for the itch. The pimply bumps remained. I am going to try the Vitamin A regimen. I, too, am afraid of the high dose toxicity. I am consulting knowledgeable vitamin people about this but want to make sure. I am also going to give a good zinc oxide cream a try. I do get relief in the summer months so while I have been thinking it might be the help of the salt water, it also might be the zinc oxide in my sunscreen. Can't hurt. Tried everything else. Any updates on the Vit A toxicity would be greatly appreciated.
(Tn)
02/15/2018
Dear Ellen,
You have expressed concern about vitamin A toxicity when using large amounts of vitamin A to try to resolve Grover's Disease.
What about trying carrot juice? Carrot juice has large amounts of vitamin A. And vitamins derived from foods tend to be more readily used by the body. Carrot juice is also helpful to those with many chronic health problems. For therapeutic purposes, sometimes several cups a day are consumed, but since it can have a laxative effect in large amounts, you might want to start with less and work up to more.
Burdock root is a blood purifier and useful to treat chronic diseases as well. I took it for months, 2 capsules with breakfast and 2 with lunch to treat neuropahty with success.
~Mama to Many~
(New York)
02/19/2018
Thank you for your response. Have been taking the Vit A, 50,000 iu for the last 7 days. I actually do think it actually might be helping. Still using anti-itch cream, but fingers crossed, the rash is subsiding. Hoping I haven't just jinxed myself. Going to continue vit A for 3 more days and then stop. I will see what happens. Thank you so much for your input. -Ellen
(Long Island Ny)
02/24/2018
Hi All
so to add to my concern about my vit a concerns about toxicity, My symptoms which were the worst I have ever had since diagnosis in 2010 have subsided. I took 50,000 in of vit A for exactly 10 days. I then remembered I also took an 8 day course of oil of oregano orally at the same time because my itching/ scratching got so bad I was afraid of infection. Now that my symptoms have subsided.......knock wood.....not sure what helped. Confused. Will wait to see if it comes back and will try one remedy at a time.
That is great Ellen that your determination to cure your Grover's Disease led you to sharing your success at using vitamin A and oregano oil to alleviate healing symptoms. I'm sure you will help many.
To continued good health.
(Ny)
03/25/2018
Vitamin B Complex
★★★★★
(Melbourne, Victoria)
12/09/2011
(Mystic Connecticut)
06/18/2015
★★★★★
I second that Kerry of Melborne...I too have them on my upper legs, little on lower, but they are not itchy all ALL! I had a bipsy of one of the bumps an d was told it was GROVERS?! So strange to have present itself so differently than from all the others on this blog??!
Vitamin D
★★★★★
I cured myself, after a very long 14 months with a severe case. I started taking high quality Vit D for hair loss, 4500 IU per day, some days I take an extra 1500 IU just because. It was a tip I received from my cousin, her daughter has severe alopecia the doctor used it to get it under control. I don't have alopecia, but wanted to give it a try.
After 2 weeks almost half of my rash was gone, after 30 days the rash was gone. It has been 80ish days, no rash at all. First time in 16 months. No doctor, no article I have read said to try Vit D; they all said B6/B12. I never though I would be thankful for hair loss, but now I am!!
FYI My blood work in 2016 showed my Vit D was in the normal range, low end, but normal. If you are in the normal range, take it any way and get your Vit K checked to ensure that level is good bc if your Vit K is not working correctly your body will not absorb the Vit D.
Low Vit D drives auto immune issues. When I looked at the list of what Vit D deficiency can do to a woman's body, sure men too, I about fell over. I wondered WHY this is not a standard practice for someone who develops Grover's. I tried soo much crap, it really infuriates me that it was this simple. My rash was horrid.
I do not know how to get this information out there, I am going to post it where ever I can.
(Boston, Ma)
04/11/2018
I was just diagnosed with Grover's Disease after a skin biopsy at a new Derm's office. I have been struggling with this for the past 3 years on and off but it is consistently on my trunk each month. I'll have a couple days of very few red bumps, then back to them completely overwhelming my stomach and back. Thank you so much for your post. I hope this works for me as it did for you. It's so embarrassing living with this, although it could be worse...and I take nothing for granted. I haven't been able to pinpoint what triggers it, however I am an avid recreational athlete and work out daily so I'm assuming the sweating is the culprit. However I will not forgo taking care of my body for this disease. Let's hope all the ideas I'm receiving from this website are the end all!
(Cali)
04/24/2018
I must say thank you to all the women who are putting their information and treatment ideas out there. It is nice to see that women, other than myself, are suffering with the same thing I am...especially since it's considered a "man's disease."
I appreciate everything all of you are suggesting.
(New Zealand)
07/13/2020
★★★★☆
I agree with Christine that vitamin D is important in helping with the disease and flare-ups.
(Florida)
03/30/2024
Vitamin D3
★★★★★
I have been taking 2000 IUs of Vitamin D3 for over a month now, and the lesions are 99% gone. I am continuing to take D3, but now I am focused on fading the little scars left behind from the lesions. For this I am using Jason's vitamin E 25000 IUs once or twice daily. I'll report back if see any definitive improvement.
Thanks again to Timothy from London (2014), for posting his success with vitamin D3!
Vitamin D3
★★★★★
(Scottsdale)
01/25/2018
Vitamin D3
★★★★★
I am so happy and relieved, it's unbelievable. It makes sense because I don't go out in the sun that much and that D3 is what it's for. It works, it really works and is very inexpensive.
(New Jersey)
08/12/2020
★☆☆☆☆
I'm glad for your relief with 4000 iu's of D3, but I've taken 10,000 iu's of D3 oil gels & 4,000 iu's of powdered capsule for at least a year, and my neck, front & back, my entire back, my sides, around to my stomach have been itching me 24/7 for over a month. I even tried liquid D3 that someone suggested to apply topically, with no relief at all. HELP!
(Faithville, Us)
08/13/2020
If you get low on water, it can take 6 months to rehydrate a body . The rehydration process includes the correct balance of all minerals.... so if something here is out of balance the body will produce histamine to let you know about the problem and that might cause itching. If your liver ( try milk thistle) is having problems that will cause lots of itching. If your stomach is out of whack it will not absorb your minerals. Could be those invisible bugs biting you....mint might get rid of them, I have mint in pots by both doors, repels flies, mice, mosquitos, ect. Oye. I have been going down these rabbit trails for years.
Blessings, Charity
Vitamin D3
★★★★★
Some exciting news for anyone unfortunate enough to be suffering from Grover's Disease.
I first noticed evidence of Grover's disease in 2011 with spreading lesions on my torso both back and front. Visits to dermatologists in London and New York including biopsies confirmed that the lesions were caused by Grover's Disease which I was told was incurable. However, I noticed that the symptoms were far less noticeable in the summer months and guessed that lack of Vitamin D may be part of the issue.
In 2012, I started to take 4 x Vitamin D3 (Potency 10ug = 10 micrograms equivalent to 400 IU = 400 International Units) per day. I immediately noticed an improvement to such an extent that after some months the symptoms and the scars had completely healed. I then experimented by coming off Vitamin D3 in the summer of 2012 but after some weeks the symptoms returned, so I took Vitamin D3 for six or seven months over the winter of 2012/2013 and once again the symptoms disappeared following which I stopped taking Vitamin D3 regularly.
As I write this in December 2014 the symptoms are completely under control and whenever the signs reoccur, a short spell on Vitamin D3 supresses them completely. So, my experience suggests that if not a cure, Vitamin D3 in the doses I use is a highly effective way of treating this unpleasant and irritating disease.
I hope it works for you.
(South Africa)
01/16/2015
Thanks for that , will definitely give that a try. I have just been diagnosed with Grovers. It's so scary! I am so healthy and used to love being out in the sun and gyming, but now so afraid to sweat and get hot. Does sun affect Grovers at all /or worsen it? The Vit D3 - are these pills you take?
Many thanks :)
(Florida)
02/09/2015
★★★★☆
I was diagnosed with Grover's Disease in 2011 and suffered 12 weeks. Five of those weeks I could not sleep at all. It covered my back, front, down my legs to my knees and around my shoulders. There was nothing the doctor could do for me. By the grace of God, I went from sores to a clean back in one night. I thought that was that. But, ten weeks ago I started to break out again. For three weeks there was no sleep. Between the two experiences I went off all wheat which changed my life for the better. I do not plan to go back on wheat, but I did get Grover's again. I do think there is a link to wheat. I was found to have very low vitamin D in 2011, so I think that might be another link. I was also a little low in B12 and I was taking a supplement off and on. I am currently in the 11th week and last week I discovered lavender essential oil. I applied it to the skin and saw improvement. But the best effect was I was able to sleep most of the night. I found out later there have been double blind studies that it helps sleep. We heal when we sleep and I think, now I am about finished with this Grover's. I plan to stay off wheat and take a Vitamin D3 supplement along with my organic whole food supplement for the other vitamins.
Also, some of the best advise I received was to take 3 tablespoons of cold first pressed olive oil in the morning and again at night. It does wonders. I also used the organic coconut oil on the rash and it helped a little. It is my choice of lotion. If I break out again, I will try the ice packs. I get a mega dose of Grover's when I get it. I also think a quick lukewarm shower twice a day helps at the worst of it and then down to one quick shower for moisture. This year I bought a humidifier to keep the humidity at 55 in the house when the heater is running. FYI my blood tests look great for the usual things. I am usually very healthy. I am not overweight. The Grover's did make it to the skin that as not seen the sun. I currently eat all whole foods. There are great recipes out there. I have eaten this way for about a year and a half. My theory is that I got into something I shouldn't have eaten at Thanksgiving (that is when rash started again) or my D and B dropped down again. Hope this helps someone.
(South Carolina)
05/04/2015
★★★★☆
I have had Grover's for about 4 years. The first time it appeared I was covered on chest, back and legs. Went on a 2 week steroid which also made me crazy. This did send into remission I think. However, since then I have taken 1 allergy pill a day and a hydroxsine and this kept it at bay for a while. It seems to come back twice a year and usually I can calm it by taking Hydroxine. I had been taking vitamin d and fish oil for a long time. I stopped for some reason and then went to HOT YOGA! Big mistake. The virus came alive and have had a horrible time getting it to calm down.
I started taking 1000mg vitamin D, claritan, 2 Hydroxine's every 4 hours. Still would not go away. Started hibiclens and oat mill shower wash and then started laying out in the sun an hour a day. (light treatments gave me this idea) Before I wasn't sleeping hardly at all. Now its under control and seems to be going away. I also use cerave lotion twice a day. Hope this helps somebody!
(Usa)
05/22/2016
★★★★★
Have experienced a continual outbreaks of this disease for three years. Doctors first treated the condition with hydrocortisone cream 2.5% it cleared in some areas but not for long. Extreme itch and out break developed and I began using betamethasone dipropionate cream 0.05% (augmented). I began using vit.D3 one pill @ 2000 IUs daily and have cleared completely, cheers too Timothy from across the pond. Eternally grateful Don.
Vitamin D3
★★★★☆
I immediately noticed an improvement to such an extent that after some months the symptoms and the scars had completely healed. I then experimented by coming off Vitamin D3 in the summer of 2012 but after some weeks the symptoms returned. I then stayed on Vitamin D3 for six or seven months over the winter of 2012/2013 and once again the symptoms disappeared following which I stopped taking Vitamin D3 for approximately eight months with no further symptoms. However, as I write this in February 2014 the symptoms have once again returned and I have therefore re-started the Vitamin D3 which once again has suppressed the symptoms.
The conclusion to my experience is that if not a cure, Vitamin D3 in the dose that I have used is a highly effective way of treating this unpleasant and irritating disease. I hope this works for you.
(South Australia)
09/25/2015
(Apple Valley, Mn)
06/26/2016
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.
Water
★★★★★
Drink much more water and keep hydrated the itchy areas until the inner hydration kicks in. I was diagnosed, tried everything and end up with this simple recipe. Now if a papule pops up, "Geez not enough water?" And grab a glass or two or three. Basically until it is gone.
At first, give it a few days and the 15 to 30 minutes. I think we become more susceptible to contaminants, processed food, pills, and they all increase our water (and fruits and veggie) demand.
Willow Balm, H2O2, Tanning Bed
★★★★★
I have not and will not take any oral medications, as I do not feel they work and have more than their share of negative side effects..
Treatments that work for me:
1. Willow balm for pain/ is still my go to for the itching and is amazing for stopping the itch.
(Cons) a bit strong smelling but I have smelled way worse..
(Note) Willow balm has product for itching but it is not as effective as the pain balm (it smells less strong).
2. Hydrogen peroxide to clean the affected area 2 to 3 times daily with triamcinolone 0.1% cream with willow balm 2 to 3 times daily.
(Cons) hydrogen peroxide can burn but it not the worst pain and use the peroxide after cleaning your skin..
3. Top choice for non-topical treatment is going to the tanning salon and using a uva /uvb stand up bed on the effected areas of my back and chest. I spend 4 to 6 mins 2 times a week and I am mostly itch free for 95% of the week.
(Cons) dermatologists get very unhappy about tanning. But since they have to personally deal with the non-stop itching day and night, I do not care what they think at this point. Tanning is the key to my dealing with gd. But keep in mind i am using a limited time to obtain a slight redding of my skin. Simply works for me.
I hope this helps as I have tried numerous products and this has been a blessing for me..
(PORT HURON)
04/13/2023
★★★★★
GROVER'S GONE FOR NOW
Here is an udate as I am itch free for 14 days as of this email:
Step 1 = Respiractin - find this product and take it 2 to 3 times daily it is amazing and is a product of Canada, it simply works.
Step 2= use peroxide to clean the affected area 2 to 3 times a day.
Step=3= use willow balm pain lotion for the itch.
Step=4= your choice uva/uvb tanning 3 to 6 mins on the affected area.
And I am itch free and very happy, please look to the other post I submitted for the prescription cream I used in conjunction with this treatment. (note) I refuse to take oral meds as they are useless in my opinion and have way too many side effects. This was a 8 week struggle to find what worked for me and I am finally free of grovers. Thank god
Witch Hazel
★★★★★
Witch Hazel stops the itching and fades the rash almost completely. I just put some on a clean cloth and thoroughly wipe the rash down with it, at the first sign of the itching starting back up I use it again.
Zinc Oxide
★★★★☆
I've tried all the cortisone creams and they have been useless. I tried Chinese medicine, brewing a prescription of dried herbs and roots from an herbalist who cured my fibroids 20 years ago, but gave up after two months of that. My dermatologist tried antibiotics and Zyrtec, but didn't help. It's progressed from my back to stomach to one leg and two shoulders and forearms. It is really uncomfortable, unsightly, and ruins my quality of life.
My doctor injected me with Dupixent last week and it worked for a day. I'll try another injection in a week. It costs $3300, but my health insurance covers it. Has anyone had Grovers go to their face? Or privates? I'm dreading that. I tried the zinc oxide and that seems to have stopped the itch as of today. Thank you, bloggers who suggested that. And, I made my first cilantro smoothie, which tastes great. I am praying this goes away and never comes back. Has that happened to anyone? Why can't they find a cause and a cure for this awful disease?
(Illinois)
03/31/2021
Robo,
1st of all thx for sharing. Like you I'm in my 60's. I was diagnosed with Grover's 10 years ago. It is all over my back and on about 1/3 of my stomach. So back and front of core truck is 95% of where it appears. The other 5 to 10% of I I have isolated spots. Primarily on the high part of my thighs and a few around my belt line. But never ever on or near my privates nor ever on my face or neck. It's appeared but isolated on the collar bone part closest to my neck. But again never on face or privates by me or anyone I've heard comment. So think you're good there. You said forearms however...I have never had it there. So that was the only unique location comment of yours. I have heard everyone fails with what doctor prescriptions of any kind myself included.
I started the cilantro about 10 days ago. I love the taste and the other benefits (see my very recent post in the cilantro section of this forum.) So far no change. I will continue the cilantro routine forever regardless. Two days ago, I started the zinc oxide cream (16% active ingredient--Zinc oxide). It diaper cream. Covers it up nicely but almost is irritating the papules. So the 48 hour result for me is "not" working. I've heard others have miracles. So that's why I tried it. As I said in my other post, I do plan to comment back on here and let you know how it goes. I would hope you'd do the same. They say we have an "orphan" disease. So don't be a stranger. You and everyone's posts are helpful.
Kind regards, Robert from Chicago.
