What is Grover’s Disease?
Grover’s Disease is an extremely rare pathological condition of the skin which results in development of small but firm lesions on the surface of the skin usually in the chest and the back. There is no known cause for this condition but some researchers believe that it is caused due to heat stress in the body.
Some studies also suggest that Grover’s Disease can be caused as a result of some abnormality in the binding mechanism which holds the cells in the skin together. This abnormality results in the loss of the binding force resulting in the cells to start getting disintegrated resulting in the development of blisters with liquid filled in them. This is the classic presenting feature of Grover’s Disease.
This condition is normally seen in the elderly population and more often in males than females. Skin damage as a result of persistent sun exposure is also believed to be one of the causes of Grover’s Disease.
What are the Causes of Grover’s Disease?
As stated, the exact cause for Grover’s Disease is not known but various studies have suggested that it may be caused as a result of skin damage due to old age. Some studies also suggest that it may be caused due to heat stress or being bedridden for a long period of time. Excessive sweating is also believed to be one of the causes according to some studies of Grover’s Disease.
What are the Symptoms of Grover’s Disease?
The classic presenting feature of Grover’s Disease is the sudden development of small raised lesions which are usually fluid filled. There is also apparent separation of connective tissue in the outer layer of the skin. Itching is also present around the area of the lesions which may vary in severity.
In acute cases, the affected individual may have severe itching as a result of the lesions caused by Grover’s Disease. There may also be presence of hair follicles around the area of the lesions.
These lesions occur in clusters and are usually found in the chest and back. Hyperkeratosis also tends to occur above the lesions in people with Grover’s Disease. In some cases, the lesions may also erupt in the upper and lower extremities as well.
The duration of these lesions is variable and while some lesions tend to last for a short period of time in some cases people have to deal for quite a prolonged period of time with these lesions caused by Grover’s Disease.
How is Grover’s Disease Treated?
Grover’s Disease is a self limiting condition meaning that the lesions that are caused due to this condition tend to go away on their own but the duration of time that they last is significantly variable. While some patients may respond positively to the standard treatments given there are others who do not respond favorably to it.
In some cases, these lesions tend to recur after they have receded in an individual and in such instances more stringer medications are required to treat Grover’s Disease. Topical lubrication is the best way to treat Grover’s Disease.
Additionally, patients are recommended to bathe less frequently if they are dealing with Grover’s Disease. Topical steroids and antihistamines have also shown to be quite effective in treating Grover’s Disease.
Selenium sulfide is yet another potent topical agent that has been effectively used for clearing up the lesions caused by Grover’s Disease.
- “Grover’s Disease: An Underrecognized Clinicopathologic Entity and Its Clinical Implications” – American Journal of Dermatopathology Link: DOI: 10.1097/DAD.0b013e3181ff61e8
