Grover's disease: What you need to know

Grover's disease is an uncommon but potentially debilitating skin condition. Doctors are not yet sure what causes the disease or how to cure it, but treatments are available to manage the symptoms.

Also called transient acantholytic dermatosis, Grover's disease typically presents as a rash on the chest and back. Intense itching often accompanies the rash.

Possible treatments include oral medications and topical creams for direct application to the skin. The most effective treatment will vary from person to person, so people with Grover's disease will need to consult with a doctor to find what works best for them.

What is Grover's disease?

Grover's disease usually begins as small itchy red bumps on the back and chest, which may then spread to the upper limbs.

The bumps are usually slightly raised but can feel soft or hard to the touch. Water-filled blisters may appear alongside or inside these bumps.

Most cases of Grover's disease last for 6–12 months, but some may last longer or come and go over time.

According to some sources, Grover's disease primarily affects white men aged 50 and aboveand is less common in women and younger people. It is very rare, with a Swiss study finding only 24 (0.08 percent) examples of Grover's disease among 30,000 skin biopsies.

Symptoms

For most people with Grover's disease, the most disruptive symptom is intense itching at the rash location.

Not everyone experiences itching, but for those that do, the itching can become so severe that it interferes with daily activities and sleep quality.

Speaking to Medical News Today, Dr. Adam Friedman, an associate professor of dermatology at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, stated, "Both the itch and the clinical appearance can have a tremendous impact on quality of life and be quite disabling."

Scratching the itch also worsens the problem by damaging the skin and making it prone to bleeding and infection.

Causes and risk factors

Grover's disease occurs as a result of changes to the proteins that help to hold the skin cells together.

These changes occur at a microscopic level and cause partial breakdown of the skin. For some people, this breakdown results in Grover's disease.

While the exact cause remains unclear, there are many possible triggers, including:

increased sweating

fever

prolonged bed rest, for example during hospital stays

extended periods of sun exposure

dry skin, especially during the winter months

certain medications

organ transplants

end-stage renal (kidney) disease and hemodialysis

exposure to radiation, such as X-rays.

Cancer, chemotherapy, and recent organ transplants can increase the risk of developing abnormal forms of Grover's disease. In these cases, the rash may appear in an unusual location on the body after beginning on the back or chest.

Doctors tend to keep all risk factors in mind, rather than focusing on any one trigger. Dr. Friedman told MNT that Grover's disease is likely due to a combination of elements, "including sun exposure, age, and skin care habits."

Is it contagious?

Grover's disease is not contagious, even when another person comes into contact with the rash.

Source: Medical News Today