Tags
contact dermatitis, dermatologist, fungal infection of skin, itchy rash, ketaconozole, rash, rash in armpits, rash on torso, ringworm, scabies, shingles, skin allergy, skin rash, triamcinolone
A quick post today. My time has increasingly been filled with things other than the internet. One of those things is this:
A rash of unknown origin, October 3, 2011
I have developed a rash of unknown origin. It is incredibly itchy, sometimes feeling like fire. I’ve been trying to figure out what it is and searching for relief from it since the beginning of September.
The rash started in early summer as a fungal infection in my groin and armpits, with spots on my neck and in my elbow creases (inside arm). I was treated for this infection at the beginning of September with ketocanozole, an anti-fungal, and triamcinolone, a corticosteroid. Within a few days of starting the treatment, the armpit and groin rashes were clearing up, but the skin on my torso began to itch. Then my arms and back and neck and backs of my knees. Along with the itch came the rash. At this point my body is more rash than regular skin.
Armpit rash - probably a fungal infection, September 3, 2011.
The beginnings of the torso rash - September 12, 2011. When this first started, I thought this was bad. Oh, how naive I was!
I’ve had a dreadful time getting our local clinic to take this seriously. The one person who has seen it had no idea what is causing the rash. I’ve run the gamut of guessing whether it’s from an allergy to the medicine, a yeast infection, shingles, or contact dermatitis. When the rash was in my armpits, I thought it was ringworm. The nurse practictioner who looked at it thought maybe scabies, but both ringworm and scabies are contagious and no one else in my family is suffering from this (thank God!).
I have an appointment with a dermatologist on October 24. That’s a damn long time to wait, but it’s better than the original appointment I was given – December 8. (How is our health care system better than Canada’s?)
Meanwhile, I’m washing every piece of clothing I own, plus the bedding and towels in case this is contact dermatitis from our laundry soap. I also continue to fiddle with various ointments for relief (straight coconut oil, zinc oxide diaper rash cream, baking soda baths, etc. etc.). If you recognize this rash of unknown origin and have found a successful treatment, please let me know.
this looks like hives. does the rash move around a little, or are the bumps always in the exact same place til they heal? I don’t know if you remember, but I went through an AWFUL spell of hives in 2008 and we/they never did figure out what was causing it. SO SO MISERABLE.
As a heads up though, idiopathic urticaria (which is what your rash/hives of unknown origin would be considered) is almost always more likely to be a food or ingested allergy rather than a skin/contact allergy. Weird but true.
I’d call an allergist instead of waiting for the dermatologist. A rash that widespread on your whole torso seems much more likely to be autoimmune related than just a topical skin issue.
*sigh* I wish I didn’t know so much about this nonsense.
I know you’re miserable. Hang in there. Lots of benadryl.
☼ What new chemicals have enetered your life, before it started? Include new plywood, laundry soap, soap, paint, furniture …? ♫
Jerry – The one new chemical that was a major change several months ago was homemade laundry detergent. We’re suspecting the Fels Naptha if this is a contact rash.
Erin – I remember your bout of hives. Dang! Now I know what you were going through. This is misery. Thanks for sharing what you know. I managed to get my appointment with the dermatologist moved up to Thursday. I’m going to type up a timeline of this rash and what I’ve tried, plus my questions, including the possibility that it might be an interior allergy. Man, I’m never going to take clear skin for granted again.
That looks nasty – I hope it’s getting better now, Mary! Various members of my family get eczema (contact dermatitis) and it looks like this. I used to get it too, and in the good ‘ol days was prescribed a powerful steroid ointment which cleared it up completely – but they don’t give it out so much these days for some reason. I expect it has dire side effects. It worked really well, though!