Talked briefly with a lady who was diagnosed with Lyme disease (small red bumps on body). Later, diagnosis was changed to Grover's Disease.
Info on webmed says: "...rare temporary skin disorder that consists of small, firm, raised red lesions on the skin...Small blisters containing a watery liquid are present. These blisters tend to group & have a swollen red border around them. Grover's Disease is mainly seen in males over the age of 40...Cause unknown, but is thought to be related to trauma to sun-damaged skin."
Another source said it usually occurs in males over the age of 70.
Wondering - has anyone heard of Lyme misdiagnosed as Grover's Disease? Any opinions or suggestions would be appreciated.
Would like to know more before talking at length with her. Will also read more on webmed.
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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Lyme disease is called THE GREAT IMITATOR!, for a reason. It mimics every disease you can think of.
If this woman had a positive lyme diagnosis, and then has rashes with raised borders, (certainly suspect of lyme) what bafoon duck gave her another name diagnosis like Grovers disease.
Which means what? Named after someone by the name of Grover? This is one of the many reasons for the confusion over lyme disease.
Hope this alerts you not to get confused for your own diagnosis.
Gael
Posts: 121 | From philadelphia | Registered: Feb 2006
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
I have a male friend with Grover's, who developed it around age 50 and had it for a few years. He said it was all over his body, mainly torso, and itched like crazy. When I did some internet research on it for him, it did seem to be primarily in older men.
I still know him, and he has never developed any other symptoms that are at all consistent with Lyme. So in his case, I think it was truly Grover's.
Does your friend have any other symptoms? If so, I would think that alone might rule out Grover's.
Has she ever been checked for Dermatitis Hepetaformis? This is the skin version of Celiac Disease (autoimmune gluten intolerance).
Celiac patients have to avoid ingestion of even minute amounts of gluten. However, a much smaller percentage of Celiacs also have to avoid having anything with gluten (wheat, oats, rye, barley) come in contact with the skin.
Celiacs I have met with Dermatitis Hepataformis (DH) have had a really hard time getting proper diagnosis because so few doctors understand the gastrointestinal version of the disease, let alone the skin version. Just a thought.
I've had all kinds of weird rashes from Lyme and coinfections, so I'd recommend that she gets some other opinions.
Let us know what happens.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
Thanks for the responses. Don't have much info about her situation yet. We talked very briefly on Friday, but I haven't been able to catch her during the weekend. We've both been very busy.
She responded to a group mailing we sent out, so I don't actually know her.
Jill, I appreciate your info about your friend & the research you did. That's all new info for me. Will definitely check with her about the possibilities you gave.
Thanks again to all of you. The people on LymeNet are great!! Will let you know how things go.
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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