Q: My dermatologist diagnosed me with Grover’s disease and my symptoms were as you described in the past, except they were in my scalp. Her comments paralleled yours. My problem was exceedingly annoying but after a while I discovered that if I coated the itching spots with mentholated petroleum (Vicks VapoRub) two things happened. First, the itching was immediately eased. Second, in one to three days, the red spots disappeared. This has been a consistent result for several years. Best of all, it’s inoffensive and inexpensive.
A: I last wrote about Grover’s disease on January 15, 2015. This may be the article to which you refer but even if it were, I failed to mention mentholated petroleum (Vicks and other mentholated petroleum products) as being possible home remedies. Vicks, as you likely know, was designed for fighting the common cold by rubbing it on the chest and throat area for cough suppression. The formula was developed in 1894, some 121 years ago, by Lunsford Richardson who created the salve for his children. As a point of trivia, it is currently manufactured and packaged in both Mexico and India. Because the ointment has an oil base, it is recommended it not be used inside the mouth or nose, nor should it be swallowed — simply because any product with an oil base can enter the lungs through improper use. The active ingredients include eucalyptus and cedar leaf oils, menthol, special petrolatum, spirits of turpentine, thymol, and myristica oil. The camphor, menthol and eucalyptus are all designed as cough suppressants.
The Mayo Clinic has taken a position that Vicks doesn’t relieve nasal congestion; however, the strong odor of menthol tricks our brains into thinking so. However, a differing point of view comes from Dr. Ian Paul, a professor of pediatrics and public health sciences at Penn State Hershey College of Medicine. He led a study of 138 children ages 2-11 with URIs. The study published in the journal Pediatrics last year stated a single application of Vicks VapoRub at bedtime provided more relief than plain Vaseline-like ointment or no treatment at all. On the downside, 28% of parents in the VapoRub group said their children complained of a burning sensation in the skin.
Many chain stores have their own brand of mentholated petroleum products. For example, pramoxine with menthol is marketed for use in treating the itch and pain caused by minor irritations, such as eczema and chapped or cracked skin. It falls into a class of drugs known as local anesthetics. The recommendation is to apply a thin layer on affected areas up to four times a day, or according to the directions provided by a physician. Individuals are warned regarding potential side effects that while rare, may occur and may include rash, dizziness, dizziness, and itching – the last thing an individual in your position needs.
Then there is Bag Balm, a medicated salve often used for irritated skin on humans. Its uses are countless and include cracked fingers, psoriasis, dry facial skin, bed sores, and radiation burns. Its ingredients include 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate, petroleum jelly, and lanolin.
Lastly, I will mention Vaseline that may also be used as a lubricant for skin conditions characterized by tissue dehydration. It is marketed to help treat minor cuts and burns. This petroleum jelly is a non-polar mixture of hydrocarbons that does not oxidize on exposure to thee air, and is insoluble in water. The product is used as an ingredient in skin lotions and cosmetics. It reduces moisture loss and prevents chapped hands and lips.
All in all, readers appear to have a choice in keeping Grover’s at bay. Those individuals who have used other home remedies, are encouraged to forward their success (and failure) stories and I will do a follow-up.
