My granuloma annulare is cured - it was a gluten wheat allergy!!

Posted , 28 users are following.

I've been suffering with bad granuloma annulare for over 10 years now and have seen several

dermatologists over the years, all of who have said there is no cure and it will go away naturally. However it has continued to get worse. I looked at various forums, many of which in the US, and saw that other people had cut out gluten and wheat following American doctors' advice. My sister is a coeliac (allergic to wheat gluten) and since it is genetic would make sense that I also might have some sort

of allergy. I cut out all wheat, gluten and barley a year ago and since then my granuloma annulare

has gone from horrible red rash rings all over my legs and hands to a barely noticeable skin colouredremnant. I think in another few months it will be gone completely! After cutting it out I also noticed I

was no longer constantly bloated, overweight and lethargic, so it seems the granloma was another

side-effect of a fairly serious food allergy. I'm not saying this will be the cure

for everyone, but I really think doctors need to give a lot better consideration to food allergies and

skin disorders as I've heard from other people that wheat gluten allergies have also been connected with psoriasis and eczema for them. If I can also help anyone to avoid the distress that I have

suffered the past 10 years because I was told there was no cure and it was not a life threatening

disorder so I had nothing to worry about, when it was ruining my self-esteem and more importantly

when it seemed I have been badly allergic to certain food. I am eternally grateful it is not in itself a life threatening disorder, I do appreciate it could be a lot worse and I feel for those people suffering from such other horrible conditions, but I do not think that it is not a reason for doctors and specialists to

dismiss the condition. Especially as it seems it could be an indicator of coeliac disease which in itself IS potentially life threatening if not diagnosed. It would be great to hear from anyone who had the

same experience, or if you have GA and do not know what to do to get rid of it I really recommend

discussing food allergies with your doctor, and subsequently consider cutting out wheat and gluten

from your diet. This has to be fairly long term to work, unless you have only mild GA do not expect to see massive results in the first couple of months, but you may notice other differences in your body

such as weight loss or no bloating - you may discover you also have a food allergy! But if you do it

long-term over 6 months to a year you may notice a huge difference, as I am now. Best of luck to

everyone, hope you find something that works!

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  • Posted

    I have had Granuloma Annulare for at least 15 years. It was so bad that a kid at a pool once asked his parents if I was a leper. I recently gave up gluten to deal with some joint pain. After only 3 weeks my Granuloma Annulare is clearing up. I have been to a ton of Dr's including the chairman of the department of a local University. None of them have ever suggested a wheat allergy and I've been treated with Cortisone shots, a high powered cortisone ointment and was even suggested I do light therapy and go on a Psoriasis medication. I am completely blown away and overjoyed. I have researched this condition a ton on the internet and also never had anyone make this connection. I hope some other people read this. It's really worth a try.
  • Posted

    I started getting these red rashes 8 years ago and was told by a 'specialist' that not rare he sees lots of people with this condition, its not curable, not treatable and if I still have it after 10 years likely to have it another ten years - anyway after 5 years of feeling so unwell with various symptoms including nausea, pain all around my side back and legs, lethargy, dizziness - the list is too long to mention I was sent for various test to see if Coeliac but every doctor said there was no connection with any food that could possibly be making me ill but if I thought it was upsetting me to avoid these foods. To cut a long story short after finding and speaking to people who had my symptoms I have stopped eating most wheat and was a lot better but still not right kept on having itching around my mouth, burning tongue and throat and it was only when I tried avoiding milk or lactose that I seen a big difference but it is only now that I have found out that the Granuloma Annulare could be connected to a wheat allergy - went to my doctor tonight as the rash is so bad but they again said all these conditions are under the IBS umbrella and to try the FODMAP diet but on reading that I am not too sure - has anybody seen or used this diet?
  • Posted

    seen, yes -- used, no. However, I have been on the Daniel Fast for 12 days and have experienced fading of my GA. I was healthy other than a few extra lbs so I don't know if it would help you in other areas or not. Fading GA for the first time in 7 years. I am loving it.
  • Posted

    I have also had GGA for about 8 years.  Your story sound exactly like mine, treatments and doctors who could care less.   I started a gluten free diet a few weeks ago (I have celiacs in the family too) and haven't seen any change to the rash yet however, I'm feeling a ton better now - less lethargic and dropped 10 pounds.  Here's something I just found out about 10 days ago.  My skin is HIGHLY reactive to being in contact with gluten which most doctors say is not possible.  Turns out my makup, lipgloss, shampoo and skin lotion all had gluten. I just found alternatives and in just a couple of days I can see a tiny bit of lightening of the rash.  I'm scared I want to see it so bad and it isn't really better but I'd love to know if anyone else has found this to be true or maybe I can help someone else.  So many people tell me they are gluten free but when I mention all those skin products they say "really" I didn't know that.  So if you have tried gluten free but it didn't fix the GGA maybe you are missing something and need push harder.  Regardless, I know for a fact now that I am reactive to gluten because I got into some food that i didn't know had gluten and my GGA went wild, along with a headache and stomach issues that i had no idea previous to this WERE a gluten reaction all along.  Good Luck to everyone, this stinks!
    • Posted

      Hey Deb, fingers crossed for you then! I wouldn't worry yet, a few weeks is nothing really, it took months for mine to start clearing properly and actually I still have it in part. Seems there's something else too! I'm also now dairy-free, since writing my post, thought that wasn't initiated by my GA but may have something to do with subsequent clearing-up again, I'm not sure. I've never seen on any of my moisturisers that they contain gluten; exactly how is it labelled on yours on the back?? Like I said if it's only been weeks don't worry, give it months to years to settle down and hopefully you'll see improvements. I'm also on pro-biotics to regulate my stomach since the distress it was in with a dairy/ gluten allergy, feel so much better now it's in balance, if it's a recent cut for you it might be worth giving them a try to settle you down. Good luck!
  • Posted

    Hi!  Thanks for getting back to me, helps to talk to someone who has also suffered.  I found that there are about a million chemical names in cosmetics, lipsticks, lotions (I was using Aveno brand with Oats - but the oats apparently are combined or come in contact with wheat).  If you google gluten in cosmetics you'll see the list, it's huge.  I also just realized the other day that I have been using cat litter and cat food, which of course my cats are covered in and sleep on the bed.  So, after changing that I realized I'm not itching my eyes in the house for the first time in years.  Based on all I'm told and read, since this is a systemic reaction my body is in extreme overload and will need a very long time to "relax".  So, I agree - I will have to take a deep breath and wait.  I just hope someone else who has been suffering for a long time, reads these comments and finds help too.  Good luck to you!
  • Posted

    Hello!

    First of all, I would like to appologize about my possible mistakes writing in english because it is not my first language. I live in Brazil and I also have GA for a long time.

    The situation here is exactly the same: lots of doctors, Cortisone, no cure speaches, people looking at me as I am a leper, a.s.o.

    My current doctor is treating me with Dapsone and I have had some results, but the GA is so resistent that while one desapear, another new one appears in a different place.

    I am really tired but you could not imagine how happy I am to find your comments, because some time ago I started to think about food allergy but with no idea of what kind of food. Really gluten and wheat make all sense and I will start my diet immediatly. Thank you very much and I will send news if I have results in the future.

  • Posted

    Hi,  Sorry for the long delay in reply, my computer has been dead for ages.  Glad to hear my information might help you.   I'm still getting better and better.  No gluten in my diet at all (or on my skin) and I've also found another person who says they got great results following a Low Histamine diet.  When you look up the diet, you will think, I can't do this but if you can try to cut back on as much as possible, you may continue to see results.  I'm doing so well now that two of my biggest, most scaley patches - about 3 inches in diameter each are almost not visible.  At least so that I am wearing shorts for the first time in years.  I also know exactly when I've eaten something that is bothering me, the rash explodes and bubbles up within minutes, then goes away in a few hours or maybe a day.  It's a long hard process...One other great thing.  I've lost almost 20 pounds and am within 4 pounds of my best weight ever!  Good Luck to all and I will continue to post as i get new information.
    • Posted

      Hi, it's so funny you should have said about low histamine, I've literally started that yesterday! It is very overwhelming, since I'm gluten and dairy free anyway, it does seem that everything is on that 'NO' list! My GA has changed so much since a couple of years ago, wheat made the most difference, dairy I seem to be intolerant to but it does not affect my skin, so while it is loads better than a couple of years ago it still persists. So I figured I may as well try low histamine diet for a month. Are you still in contact with the friend you knew who it worked for? I'm trying a supplement called DAOSIN which is supposed to provide the enzyme for breaking down histamine if you're lacking it; not sure if I actually am though. Just wondered if he/ she was still on the siet and what the results were? I researched last night but couldn't find any association between the two from anyone else, so would be interesting if indeed there are people for whom it is. Thanks, how is yours now?  
    • Posted

      I'm still following (getting more and more stringent) on the low histamine diet.  I still have the GGA and it is moving around, better in some areas but some new breakouts.  I am removing the biggest offenders first - tomatoes, oranges, reheated foods, etc. It's a slow process but I haven't "felt" sick in weeks.  I am taking DAO supplements at meals and it really does seem to help.   It is very expensive but seems to help the reaction.  I am going to continue to reduce the items that I'm eating in hopes I can elimate the right thing or things.  I know if I'm pregnant, I am very ill for about 12 weeks (eating almost nothing, and no alcohol, etc) and the GGA goes completely away.  I'm thinking a very strict diet for 3 or 4 months might be what needs to happen.  I've chatting with 2 doctors who said to give it 4 weeks but I really think it's not enough time.  So, I'm giving up "histamine" items slowly and it's not as bad a cold turkey.  I dread giving up my glass of wine at night but that's next.   Hope you are well.   Blessed Be.
  • Posted

    Hi everyone, 

    I've just been diagnosed with GA ...first started about 8 months ago with a large patch on my back and two small ones under my arm pit. The doctor said to my horror that it was ring worm! I had pills & creams but nothing worked so I had a bi op that has confirmed GA. I still have another 5 weeks to wait before I see the dermotoligest at my local hospital, my patches are spreading and fast, I thank everyone on here that has commented because I no longer feel alone.

    tomorrow I with cut out all wheat and dairy from my diet and post if I get any change, also I will go to see a Chinese herbalist ...wish me luck x

  • Posted

    Good Luck,  Hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones that finds what the cause is and it will go away.  I had a brief "remission" where most of my GGA was faded and I thought going away, but no luck.  It's back and itchy again.  One thing to keep in mind, once you go gluten, dairy free and low histamine, even the smallest of cheats can cause a tidal wave of symptoms.   Be Well.
  • Posted

    Hello,

    I am a GA patient for about 10 years in the US. I also have done many treatments... injections, topicals and even accuctane. Still suffering with my stupid circles. I was looking searching GA and food alleries ( because I have always said it has to be something I'm eating) and I found your discussion. I have been a vegatarian most of of my life and eat a very resticted diet and I have and at times and I am right now mostly vegan. Gluten is not something I had thought of. I have also done periods of time with zero carbs, but never for very long periods of time. I have been thinking of going on a yeast cleanse diet. Despite what the many doctors have told me, I know it is related to something I eat and I believe most things are. I also have wondered if it's related to Lymphatic drainage based on location of my circles. Hate this skin disorder!

  • Posted

    Thanks for this discussion. I thought I'd add my experience of GA. I have suffered from it for 15 years (I'm 32 now) and have tried everything suggested by dermatologists and things suggested on the the internet over the years. From cortisone cream that didn't work to drinking apple cider vinegar every day that also didn't work.

    It's always worse and grows really rapidly when I am stressed and unfortunately I hace a stressful job and don't really know how to deal with stress very well.

    But about two years ago it was worse than ever with five huge GA patches on my lower legs, the biggest was ten centimetre in diameter. I started reading about food intolerances but didn't know where to start. Then a friend of mine suggested I go to a Kinesiologist because it worked for his skin problems - I was very excited about it until the Kinesiologist started the process of what kinesiologists do with pressing your arm down and testing your muscle while you hold a vile of food ingredients. It felt made up.

    She gave me a long list of foods that she said I was intolerant too. I asked which was was specifically aggravating the GA and she said it was milk.

    I didn't believe a word of what she said, I left feeling disappointed but my friend urged me to try what she said because I had nothing to lose. So I gave up milk for three months and no kidding all my granuloma disappeared apart from one which hollowed out. Four out of five GA patches.

    After 15 years of trying everything, I'm a firm believer that it is food related. I find it really hard to be strict with the no milk diet because it is in everything in the form of whey etc so unfortunately I still have the one which is light in colour and hollowed out. I know I should be more strict with myself but I find it easier to live with a bit of milk chocolate (-; and one GA seeing as I was used to living with five huge patches all over my ankles before.

    Another tip for people still looking for their food intolerance... I paint "make up forever" camouflage on my GA. Green first then a palette of skin tones to put on top. I'm sure there are lots of brands but I can personally recommend that one.

    Good luck fellow GA sufferers x

    • Posted

      Hi Sally 

      thank you for sharing your experience it's very interesting.

      i am 22 and have suffered from GA for 2, almost 3 years now. It is pretty bad on the backs of my legs and also the front of my shins (looks similar to bad burns on my shins) which makes me so self conscious, I haven't been able to wear a dress or shorts in so long, it's starting to drive me mad! I am desperate for it to go away for this summer as I plan to travel..

      i also strongly believe GA is a reaction from within, and a way of your body saying it's not happy with something.. So recently went to a nutritionist for a food allergy test, she also gave me a long list of foods including cows milk. The test was done by prodding my finger with a ball type pen thing, while attached to a machine that she put different food substances in so get a reaction. I was unsure after the test and I wasn't sure how legit it was, I was sceptical and from the long list of food she told me to avoid I didn't know where to start, and still don't. 

      Milk has always made me feel a bit sicky, so I don't drink it so much now but I guess I could be eating foods with milk in them which could very well be triggering my G.A. Can I ask, how long until you noticed a difference in your GA after giving up milk and things containing milk?

      and did you also give up any other foods from your test results? 

      Thanks so much I hope to hear back from you soon x

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