Granuloma Annulare - nodules/lumps- advice?

Hello Emma,

I am sorry you have this awful skin disease at 24 - mine started at menopause, and I have it for 8 years. Like yours, mine started on my left foot and it progressed to other part of my body (legs, arms, elbows, butt). When it started on my foot, it was just a spot, then a red blotch that grew and grew to nodules or lumps which were sometimes itchy but usually no pain or itch. If yours is like mine, your foot will become worst before it gets better. Once it got smaller and thinner, the spots started to go to other parts of my body. Since I have spots elsewhere, the ones on the foot subsided to a red blotch which I have on both feet now. The lumps you are talking about are also under my feet now which is a challenge and can hurt depending on the shoes I wear. By the way, I tried a variety of creams and they don't work so save your $$$

Emma - I know it is discouraging especially at 24 but you are not alone, many people have this auto-immune disease and together we will find how to treat this. I tried many treatments throughout the years and seen a few doctors (family, dermatologist, naturopath, kineosolist). I did a hair analysis, DNA testing, food intolerance testing, etc. Had my tooth fillings replace to porcelain, eat no more gluten and try my best to eat healthy most of the time. My spots are lighter now and seems to have stopped growing everywhere. My next treatment is a liver cleanse which I am starting on Monday for 5 days. I have high hopes on this as I believe it is from the inside and lately I have been diagnosed with high cholesterol which might or might not be related. Like you, and everyone else with GA, it is a hit and miss, the one thing I know for sure is that I won't stop trying to get rid of it.

Emma I know it's tough when you are 24 but wear those shorts and sandals, and don't worry about what people think. GA might be there for a while but it doesn't have to make you embarassed; you decide that. I remember when my foot was at it's worst (crusty, lumpy and disgusting) I still went for pedicure and the lady would say (wow, what is this) my reply would always be the same, don't worry about it, it is not contagious and it doesn't hurt.

Besides, some people had their GA disappear too and it could be worst, it could be cancer, painful or super itchy. 

Keep me posted on your treatments and try to forget about it, it will go away eventually (that is my hope)

Take care,

Carole

 

Hi Emma,

Mine started on my left forearm near the elbow. It was a circle with an indented center. It got bigger and bigger and now 2 years later it is gone (I got kenalog injections) as well as time passing perhaps made it go away. I do have hyperpigmentarion that I am treating with skin skin bleaching.

I have since developed the type you have on my left foot. These are round and purple. They don't itch or hurt .... Nothing. I am 55 and am far too vain to just live with this condition. I have done 2 years research on this (daily) it is my theory and that of my doctor that this is a reaction to bacteria.

Do research and find a doctor willing to work with you. Don't give up.

Take care!

Hi Emma, so sorry to hear you have this nasty mess too.  There are so many of us and it seems so many thoughts on what causes this.  I'm 48, I have had this for 10 years.  I have several versions of this, some are circles that are red, raised around the edges and ooze. I have huge blotches that are sort of circular some have hard white nodules. I have some areas that just look like red bumps.  Mine BURN and ITCH like you can't believe.  I've been up sometimes for nights on end and nothing, I mean NOTHING makes it feel better.  I have tried, every cream, injection and pill.  Please be VERY careful trying out "cures".  I have $10,000.00 dollars of "cosmetic" surgery to pay for to "fix" the last injection cure a dermo recommended.  I've tried several drug combo that doctors have suggested all with no resolution and I've just made myself sick.

My best suggestion, check out family history, get a physical, and try to keep track of what you are eating.  After doing all that you may find something. For me it turns out I have Celiac and I'm extremely latex allergic and that combo appears to have caused the auto immune reaction.  I have made some progress (I'm covered with these from head to toe) they are lighter and don't actively itch, but if I make a mistake with eating or touching, watchout!

I feel the same way, I'm in good shape and like to dress nice, but its hard not to want to hide these. Make yourself do it and don't worry about the rest of the world, they are worried about their own thighs!   Be well and keep us posted, every little bit helps.