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Itchy type of Granuloma Annulare

Posted , 19 users are following.

robin43750
robin43750

I had the most severe itching for almost 2 months before my primary Dr. thought I had scabies and I went through treatment for it. You can still itch after treatment which I was. The dermatologist report from biopsy came back saying I had GA. I thought perhaps I had both that and the scabies. When I broke out it was all over my body from scratching, except my face and not much on my back. It was like bites going down a line. The only thing that stops the itching is prednisone pills. I had almost lowered the dose to the point of stopping but then I had a flare up in itching, but my itching has only resulted in a few bumps. The rest are going away.

I am wondering if anyone else has had the itching variety or a similar story with possibly scabies involved. Also my dermatologist wants me to take potassium iodide as the cure which I am concerned about doing because I have a hypothyroid condition. Has any one ever done that treatment?

Thanks and I hope you all heal quickly!

0 likes, 43 replies

43 Replies

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  • cob
    cob robin43750

    Posted

    I haven't been to this site for a while. Mine itches every view days and I take Allegra or some other non sedating antihistamine. Works great to stop the itch in about 19 minutes. I was put on Dapsone and paquinal and dapsone together. It seemed to be helping , but a SE of Dapsone is anemia which I got. My derm recommeded I start light therapy. 3 times a week I stand in front of a UVB lite machine. The technician said she has seen results with it. She also told me stress and weather, can make it worse. I've only had 4 treaments and I see a little improvement. I'm ready to fine  a solution!

    • adrianna62314
      adrianna62314 cob

      Posted

      my dermatoligest that I can rub vicks vapo rub on the granuloma ,that there is a med that really heips itching  I hate smelling like vicks but it does work!!!!!
  • celina43652
    celina43652 robin43750

    Posted

    Does anyone else have a large variation in how the areas manifest? I have circles with lumpy pink skin in the middle, I have ones that look/act like ringworm which I get on my hips, I have ones that are a cluster of granules, I have others that are just raised areas. My dermatologist diagnosed all of it as being GA, but they're so different!

    • beth4904
      beth4904 celina43652

      Posted

      That's is exactly what mine has done started out looking like ringworm, then large clusters that can be as large a patch as 2-3 inches per patch. Most recently I have gotten small single bumps that look like worts or bites, but I know it's ga. Has anyone gone to an internal medicine dr? I have only seen my dermatologist and she has done biopsies to diagnose. Treated with steroid injections, steroid cream and oral steroids and it did nothing. I'm am covered and at my wits end from looking at it!!!

    • ann47246
      ann47246 beth4904

      Posted

      Hello Beth, I have spoken to my primary dr and they insist it is wrong worm but it is not, Mine completely disappeared for 6 weeks when I followed the Virgin diet giving up wheat, dairy, soy, eggs, artificial sugar and regilar sugar and corn. During this period I rested a lot and was out of the sun.

      I have had mine for 12 years and had a flair up 2 weeks ago which included loosing my eye lashes.

      I believe now that I have an allergy to several things and going to an allergist Friday to be tested. I will look into healing your gut and so you can try to heal the source of the GA.

      Good luck

    • stephanie31708
      stephanie31708 celina43652

      Posted

      I have the same variations. There are so many permutations... all equally unattractive and ITCHY.
    • beth4904
      beth4904 stephanie31708

      Posted

      I have had mine about a year. I cannot imagine living like this for the rest of my life! Why isn't there more research being done?!?

    • ann47246
      ann47246 beth4904

      Posted

      GA is considered a rare disease and therefore not worth the money needed to do research. I have another rare disease that took 10 years for me to figure out how to manage. It is up to us to find the answers and one of the problems is gathering data of what works and does not work.
    • beth4904
      beth4904 ann47246

      Posted

      I am reading up on the virgin diet and may try starting that this week. I will let you know if anything changes.
    • celina43652
      celina43652 ann47246

      Posted

      I can't imagine what's left to eat after cutting all of that out. Can't we just wish it away?

    • ann47246
      ann47246 celina43652

      Posted

      Hello Celina,

      I worked with a nutritionist who was a wholistic doctor and I learned that everyone can eat better with support but there is a learning curve. There are several PBS specials including a new one with Amy Meyers who had a autoimmune response and healed herself with food. It is worth watching or go to the library and get the original Virgin diet book. Good luck!

    • jill88347
      jill88347 celina43652

      Posted

      I just was diagnosed with GA month ago. I too, have the circular rashes that look like ringworm but I also have like a raised rash over a bigger area. I wonder if anybody has tried the supplement lysine? I know that people use it for herpes, so I'm going to start taking it tomorrow and see if that helps. It is a vitamin that is for skin and bone tissue.

    • jill88347
      jill88347 beth4904

      Posted

      I was actually diagnosed with this by my internal medicine physician. I am 53 and have gone through menopause. I still get hot flashes which definitely exacerbates the itching. He gave me a corticosteroid topical cream, but it does nothing. I am going to start taking the supplement Lysine tomorrow ( I have heard it helps people with herpes), because it's for healthy skin and bones. I will update with the progress of it.

  • adrianna62314
    adrianna62314 robin43750

    Posted

    Yes the exact same problems as yours. I am 74 an I have had granuloma  for MANY YEARS. It has been hell. I wish they could find a cure. I have it so bad I wear long skirts or pants and long sleeves always. I really look like a freak. I live in a state that gets VERY VERY  HUMID AND HOT in the summer and it is awful . 
  • robs89249
    robs89249 robin43750

    Posted

    I'm new to the forum so sorry for delayed response. I was just diagnosed with a GA that does burn and itch like RW. I have had some luck with both using listerine that seems to calm and sooth, vitamin C oil, and Apple Cider Vinegar. The Listerine and ACV will help the itch subside for quire a while and then as soon as it starts up - about a couple hours after application, I will then paste over like frosting the cortisone 10. My doc told me under no circumstances should I scratch. The itch is a useless function and just starts and endless cycle of getting things underneath the skin all excited, bringing in more cells to fight whatever it perceives it needs to fight off, bringing in more sell, and more itch. It is a vicious "lose lose" cycle so he said I must do all I can to not scratch. I also take Zyrtec every day, change my socks every day as this is on my ankle - no  brainer I know but hyper diligent. I wash my feet and ankles now with an anti fungal soap - just in case the docs are wrong and GA is linked to some kind of fungus. So far this is at least allowing me to sleep at night, work during the day, and keep the local flare up in check. I will come back after a couple weeks of this and let you know how it's going. I am also on thyroid sups. Blood sugar under control so don't know what's up. 

    • celina43652
      celina43652 robs89249

      Posted

      Hey everybody, it’s been a while since I’ve been back to this thread but I found something that has had an enormous affect on my GA. TEA TREE OIL!!! It’s a godsend, no joke. I now use it for all of my skin issues includine my GA breakouts. (It works particularly well on the angry, itchy, round, flaky, ringworm-looking ones I tend to get on my hips. 

      It’s a very strong smelling oil; so strong, it’s similar to Vicks Vapor- it clears up your sinuses! I absolutely hate the smell, but it’s so worth it.

      It’s a very effective antibacterial and anti fungal. It works on acne, rashes, psoriasis, dandruff, athletes foot, ringworm, keloid scars (which I’m prone to), and many other skin issues.

      It’s very strong and can be extremely drying, so if you find that it’s drying up your skin too much you can rub in a thin layer of coconut oil before applying the tea tree oil; and it still works wonderfully.

      I HAD to share this. I’m so thankful I found it!

      Due to the smell, I apply it at night so, by morning, the smell has dissipated. 

      It isn’t cheap, but a small bottle goes a long way. 

      Anyways, I recommend looking it up and trying it out.

      You can apply it alone, or add a few drops to your lotion, shampoo, body wash, etc. depending on where and why you’re using it.

      Best of luck you guys. We can not be ashamed of our skin. Nobody is perfect, and you’re your biggest critic.

      Have a great day!

    • jill88347
      jill88347 robs89249

      Posted

      I thought mine was ringworm and took a topical antifungal cream 4 months and it didn't work, so then I took an oral antifungal pill and it didn't work. I'm going to start taking Lysine tomorrow and see what happens

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