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Summary of information on granuloma annulare

I heard from only 13 people about granuloma annulare, and only 9 or 10 had
it.  One woman said she has been attending group meetings for 30 years and
had never heard of it.  Two others decided they had GA when they read the
description on the list.

Almost everyone mentioned that it began with a ring of spots on one hand,
then spread.  It is usually symmetrical—both hands, both legs, both elbows,
both sides of back, etc..  The face is not involved.  Typically, it
disappears with treatment or spontaneously, then reappears.  The active
condition lasts for a year or two, but can occur over many years.

Several people heard from their doctors that the cause was unknown, but that
it seems to occur in people with diabetes.  Only one person did have both
diabetes and GA.  Another was told by her doctor that it was caused by
stress.  Another thought it showed up when she got gluten.  That’s what I
think started mine, when I ordered from a GF menu that apparently wasn’t.

The two treatments that are used are cortisone shots given directly into the
area with the rash (most effective) and ointments.  One or two people found
the ointments of no help, but one said a combination of Elidel and
Triamcinolone creams “kept it at bay”.  Temovate was also mentioned.

I’d really like to know if anyone else finds that getting “wheated” makes
this condition worse.  It really does seem to be rare disease, and the
information available doesn’t help a lot.

Thanks, everyone.

Peg S.

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* Please remember some posters may be WHEAT-FREE, but not GLUTEN-FREE *