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!

7 likes, 22 replies

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  • Posted

    I'd love to know how everyone is doing. I am 57 and only developed granuloma annilare four years ago. I have it on both hands arms one foot and starting on the other foot now. I really dread seeing those new red spots knowing they will spread out and get raised edges - i work in an office with a team and attend numerous meetings where i am so self conscious with each new meeting - only that it looks so like ringworm ....i am going to try dairy, wheat and gluten free and see what happens - glad i found this thread. At this stage given the lacy design on both my hands i find it easier to tell people they are burn scars 👀they seem to accept that and it doesn't bring about that dreaded question ...oh granuloma ..never heard of that..what is it? Pre business meeting chatter ...NOT!
  • Posted

    My husband has had this condition for about 4 years.  He is now 42.  He has severe outdoor allergies and animal allergies.  He takes a daily Claritin D and nose spray but, the thing that has helped the most with clearing this up is acutally doing a nasal rinse twice a day (morning and night) with the Sinus rinse kit you fill with water and the powder (I think it is made by Neil Med?).  Within a week he had half as many spots and now has hardly any noticible ones at all.  I am not sure if this works for everyone but might be worth a try!
  • Posted

    Have you ever tested for wheat allergy? However, as your Granuloma Annulare has disappeared as you have stopped taking wheat, it can be said that your condition was caused by wheat. But be careful. Granuloma Annulare is often associated with thyroid disease so be under regular medical supervision. 
  • Posted

    I just read your post and a few others.  I also have GA but it's been within the past couple years.  I have a very minor case of it compared to everyone else I've read.  It started on my finger and moved to another and another and the other hand.  Then the ring got larger until it encompassed three fingers and knuckles.  I have been using cortisone cream which really wasn't d oing a whole lot.  It got a little better (the first round) and then I used a different cream.  I stopped before it was gone because it didn't look like it was going anywhere.  It came back more intense.  The second time (now) the cortison cream still wasn't doing much.  I went on a diet being gluten, soy, nut, dairy, casein and corn free.  After four months I started reintroducing foods with no seeming effect.  However, I started water therapy for back issues.  Yesterday I noticed that my GA had really faded. So I'm wondering if anyone has noticed that chlorinated water has had an effect on their GA.  I went just gluten free last year for almost six months and I'm pretty sure I had the GA then and didn't notice anything.  Just curious.
  • Posted

    I developed IBS and a strange rash at the same time, about 9 months ago.  I suffered through the summer heat with a rash that kept gradually spreading on my torso, face, and legs, and nothing helped except strong steroids. a biopsy revealed Granulom annulare.  Of course, the rash kept coming back, so my doctor suggested I cut out dairy, which I have a sensitivity to.  I did, but no change.  Then I tried cutting out gluten, having relatives with gluten sensitivities.  Voila! After some trial and error, I discovered that gluten definitely brings on the granuloma annulare rash.  I experimented a few times, trying a graham cracker or some toast, and sure enough, by the next morning, the rash was beginning to form on my face and abdomen once again.  so by avoiding gluten pretty carefully and using a topical steroidwhen needed, my flare ups have pretty much stopped.  Happy to say my IBS is almost completely under control, too.   
  • Edited

    I developed Granuloma Annulare nine years ago, after coming off a 9 month low carbohydrate diet. I went from eating no bread, pasta etc, for 9 months to including bread in my diet. I had GA patches on my arms, legs and torso, the largest ones are on the inside of my knees. i noticed the GA patches faded when i went back on the low carbohydrate diet, and eventually realised that the patches became inflamed soon after I ate gluten. This still happens if i eat gluten - the patches become red with small raised spots, and the ones on my arms itch. It happened yesterday - I ate Branston pickle, and looking on the label realised that it had Barley Malt extract in it. if I can avoid gluten entirely the patches remain faded. My niece is coeliac.

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