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.
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.
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.