To all Granuloma Annulare sufferers - what else is going on?

Hi everyone. Stumbled across this thread whilst trying to look for some clues about this stuff on my skin that's been present for about 3 months. Started as a small ring on my left elbow, now that ring is somewhat bigger, there is another next to it and also a small ring now formed by my knicker line (approx 1-2 months). Neither of these patches have been itchy. The colour changes though-sometimes skin coloured, other times purple..I'm not sure what flares it up (I think heat I.e getting out of a bath or shower?). I went to the doctors and was tested for dermatitis herpetiformis and a gluten intolerance. Blood tests came back clear. The doctor didn't mention GA at all, it is just my own theory and research which has led me to think it is GA. It doesn't bother me too much, although the fact it 'spread' to the top of my leg is of some concern as from reading online, when GA is generalised it could mean diabetes, which I see somebody of you have mentioned on here.

I relative this is an old thread...has any one had any more updates from the remedies they have been trying?

Thanks

Hannah

I don't have any issues except for GA.

I first started noticing a spot on my ankle around 2011. I wasn't formally diagnosed with GA until 2015 after requesting a biopsy. I have Type 1 Diabetes (diagnosed in 1995), hypothyroid (diagnosed in 2009), and alopecia areata (diagnosed in 2010). I received corticosteroid injections on my scalp to treat my alopecia, which cured it completely. I first noticed my GA sometime after my corticosteroid treatments. My first spot is on my right ankle. It was about the size of a dime when I noticed it and has since grown to an ellipse about 3 inches in diameter. I also have a spot on the side of my left foot about the size of a dime. I'm worried that one will grow as big as the first one. 

Hi Carol, I have GA all over as well but as of late August I started getting leg cramping, tingling /numbing feeling in my hands and feet from knees down. I haven't found anything that works yet.

Ok. I'm turning 60 and was diagnosed with biopsy 7 years ago. It started on the back of my neck not long after too much sun and an almost burn (I do a lot of trail running). The dermatologist said, "Oh, it will go away in 1-2 years" but it has continued to spread on both sides around my neck and looks like it will meet on my throat in the next year. The derm thought that the sun exposure was unrelated but it was just weeks before this started.

I started developing leg and foot cramps around the same time. Again, I'm a runner and for sure they're worse after long runs or after lay-offs but I rarely had them before I got GA. Could be coincidence. One of my sons has developed chronic urticaria and it makes me wonder if there is a genetic component to autoimmune skin conditions.

Hi Carole, 

I'm 59, live in Tennessee, and have had Annulare since 2011. It appeared a few months after I had brain surgery (I had a large benign tumor). After the surgery I stopped taking BC pills. But there was a trauma, which seems to be a pattern(?) I was under anesthesia, then on steroids for a few weeks.

I fight fatigue, difficulty concentrating at times, and have more muscle aches than before, but it's too hard to sort out what causes what. I'm nearly 100% after my illness, though, so I thank God for that. The aches and pains could be age too.

Have you ever heard of Morgellons or other possible environmental causes? I've wondered if there was a connection since that is a skin disorder as well. It definitely seems to be immune related. I give myself regular B12 shots and that helps a lot with the redness. Oregano oil helps a little too. Beefing up the immune system seems to be important. Has anyone tried a full on 'diet' cure - non-gmo, organic greens and berries etc..?

Let me know what all you find out! I've got one on my tongue now(!) It feels almost like the beginnings of a cold sore.... and of course, it's ugly.

Yvonne

I have had GA for at least 35 years, it moves around, mostly on my feet and elbows, it never itches.  It is an autoimmune disorder. In addition I have hypothyroidsm which was diagnosed about 14 years ago and also lower than normal platelet count.  My sister's hypothyroidism has turned into Hashimoto's which is another autoimmune disorder. I suspect I may also have elevated candida in my body.  I do get toe cramps if I drink alcohol, but not leg cramps.  I also have hip pain (sacroiliac joint).  Recently I discovered that fluoride is bad for hypothyroidsm so I started drinking bottled water and am adding a reverse osmosis system on my tap water.  I've also eliminated soy and gluten from my diet and taking probiotics and L-Glutamine. My GA is slightly lighter already.  I will post future updates if I get any better.  I recommend searching the web for info on treating autoimmune disorders. Dermatologists are useless because you are treating the symptom and not the cause.

I have had this 3 years now an argue with it daily!! Mine does itch sometimes but I control that w itch crime...  I have spent/dieted/ cried and all of the above...my Derm is one of the best but as was said by others there is no cure, only maintenance if u can find it..if it goes away as some do, it returns with a vengeance!!

i am not crazy but my husband and I are convinced that it has its own brain and the game is to control me and fight ea thing I come up with! 

I now am more in control than not but it gets quite angr and will turn almost purple..then get quiet!

i use Tea Tree Oil multiple times a day without fail..I keep it upstairs downstairs in all 3 cars in my purse and travel bags!  When it's visible you will use it!! I mix it with Calendula Gel to give it adherence..TTO does dry out the skin and w Reg use you must hydrate about an hr or 2 later. I use 'Silver Gel (cvs) for cracking or splits..vasciline does not work because GA does not like to be covered, I was desperate.. I purchased recently a hand cream I used for years for winter cracking, 

Camille Beckman Glycerin Hand Therapy...I am having GREAT results

For your cramps..put a bar of any soap at your  feet between your sheets..this is a guarantee, if the cramp is very bad rub soap even had soap on the area..gone is seconds I promise..sounds nuts but a Dr told me that years ago, it works!

my MD gave me a Lupus medicine when I had a MAJOR outbreak 'Hydroxychloquine', this really helped. Autoimmune medicines can had side effects but I had none! Good Luck and give this lots of attention.. I tried it ALL and am still in the works!  Also B12..D..E vitamins help!