I was diagnosed with this years ago because I had some patches here and there. But over the past year, it has really spread. I am so tired of hearing that there is nothing that can be done. I have ised steroid creams and steroid courses and nothing. I now have it on my wrists, the bends of my arms and the worst so far has been on my toes and the bottom of my feet. It is painful in that location especially. So i have researched to no avail. I found this post online a couple of days ago. Maybe this will be what we all have been looking for. It is a course of antibiotics. I will try to copy and paste if allowed.
There are certain anitibiotics that have been used and written about in research papers (can't remember their names). When I asked my physician about them, told me that side effects are worse than the GA itself. I found Clobetasol steroid cream to be effective if used for 2 weeks. After you have to stop for a while because it is very strong. Other than that, steriod injections into the rash works well if it is localized. Did that not work for you?
My GP didn't prescribe anything, said it was self-limiting and no treatment! When I went for the annual skin cancer check-up, the Dr. said could try the steroid injections around the rash, but that it often didn't work. In my opinion, no one is doing the research into GA; if steroid creams or antibiotics don't work, the medical crowd are baffled. I did read an article indicating there was a possible connection of GA with Lyme spirochetes.
I have had steriod injections into localized GA plagues and they have gone away. But that does not mean that a new plaque may not show up. I have also used Clobetasol cream and this works more slowly but eventually can fade the rash. In fact, I am using it right now.
You know, I had this condition for years and years and I couldn't wear summer stuff as it was all around my stomach, behind my knees, elbows and even up my neck. I started using MSM powder daily and bought a nutribullet and have a green smoothy everyday and forgot about my condition, until I thought, wow, it's gone. I have just a bit on my wrists and foot, and it will probably come back again, as it does shift around, just when you think it's gone, but I am touching wood for now.
Don't go down this road, Steroid injections have many side effects worse than GA. The creams make your skin very thin and it looks like old people skin, plus the injections can be life threatening, It won't cure the GA. Try MSM powder and buy a nutribullet, these got rid of mine and I'd had it for over 10 years prior.
PS, don't go to a doctor, they will either give you cortison cream which doesn't work after a while and makes the skin VERY think and wrinkly. Or steroids, which are dangerous and have side effects. They even sent me home with a very fancy, expensive cream which did nothing but it isn't meant for GA. The answer is, NO DR in the world knows anything about GA .AT ALL( I've been to the top skin Drs in London, Monaco and Cape Town) so they are guessing. we're on our own here.
Funny, I just started taking a supplement with MSM in it for my arthritic knees a few months ago, and my GA has started spreading everywhere! I've also been eating more kale. I wish I had the same results as you. Getting depressed. Dermatologist gave me Tacrolimus cream, but it doesn't help. Anyone else getting lightheaded at times, or is this just me stressing out?
Hi, In the US doctors prescribe a topical steriod cream named Clobetasol. It is very strong, however, it does work. I have GA all over my thighs. the area is too large for a steriod injection. My dermatologist told me to use the cream for 2 weeks and then stop for 1-2 weeks and then use it again because the cream is too strong to use continually. I have been doing this and the GA is slowly fading. In the past I have had smaller areas with GA and those were injected with a steroid. That worked as well and the GA went away within a week and did not come back in that area. Both treatments left my skin looking normal. This is what has worked for me.
You are right! There are not enough studies performed on this.
Hi, I have had steriod injections for GA given on occasion for over 10 years. It was not done often but it has been done,. I Have suffered no ill effects. Do what you want, but I am here to tell you that if done by a qualfied physician there is nothing wrong with it. The Mayo clinic and even other top hospitals in the US state that this is an acceptable form of treatment. You can look it up on the Mayo Clinic website.
Hello angie, i had GA for 22 years, it started on my left hand, it then went everywhere, it was sore and some of the patches would give great pain.
However 5 years ago i was diagnosed with Skin Cancer, this has nothing to do with the GA.
But last year i started on a immunotheropy for 2 years, the GA has gone, completly. What baffles me if the two conditions are not linked why would the immuno cure the GA as well as the skin cancer?
Denise, GA is not painful nor itchy. Did u have a biopsy to confirm GA? My doctor says it's an auto immune disease. What was the immunotherapy you took?
I hope you're all well now. My GA is spreading to my arms and sides, started on elbows, then back of knees. By immunotherapy do you mean Prednisone? Steroid cream is not helping. Not happy with my current dermatologist.
Hi everyone. I first developed GA on my ankle 48 years ago. My dermatologist started by injecting the sites with Kenalog. But in the past few years it has really gone all over my body, up to my neck. I've tried vitrually every cream, light therapy, etc. and for the past few years the Kenalog injections. I just connected what someone wrote about alcohol... and I realized that I've been drinking a small glass of wine most evenings to help me get to sleep. I'm going to stop that and see if it makes any difference. However, my son-in-law has a different autoimmune disease that causes a similar red rash all over his body. He takes an injection of Anakinra (Kinaret) for t hat. I'm going to call my Dr. tomorrow morning to see if there might be a connection. Has anyone else taken this and had positive results?
Hi angie7613
Ive been diagnosed with GA 7 months ago
Ive had a huge patch on my left leg and some small patches on different parts of my leg.
I tried steroid creams,pills etc it faded a little but they were still there and kept spreading.
One day i was tired of stressing myself over this and i stopped treating it.
2 weeks later they were gone, i guess it was the stress ive been putting myself through that caused it
Hi
With regards to alcohol... I haven't had ANY alcohol for 15 years yet I was diagnosed with GA 3 years ago!! A glass of wine each night will not do any harm I'm sure! X
My GA is spreading all over. I stopped the creams, had a kenalog injection, a couple of UV treatments... no help. I do yoga for stress relief, and try not to think about my disfiguring plaques. My Dermatologist recommends trying Humira next. Not too thrilled with taking an immune suppressing injection, but hoping it will be short term and effective. Anyone else try this?
I have been using the MDM powder but haven't seen any results. How long did u use it before it starting working. Also how much did you take?
Mary, have you started Humira yet? I'm starting in two weeks. Let's stay in touch and share with the group.