Posted on 09/29/2006 9:23:30 AM PDT by Froufrou
Help! Almost two years ago, hubs began having an itchy rash. The only thing that calms it is taking steroids, not good. It's been a tossup whether it's a dermatological or an allergy problem. He's seen two dermatologists who've biopsied and found nothing.
Also, full battery of allergy tests and is allergic to a lot, soy in particular. It's said that the rash is possibly a form of psoriasis that lasts 2-5 years. When it's full bore he scratches while asleep and wakes up bleeding.
Any help would be appreciated...thank you...
Sorry for your husband, but I doubt you'll get better advice here than from a dermatologist. Go to a third one.
The quality of doctors does vary.
Has he been tested for Morgellon's?
Thanks. I was not hoping that someone here shared this awful experience so much as the solution for it! He's going to a Health Science Center doc next week. Our allergist was president of the allergy doc's group last year.
Sounds allergic to me. I'm a doctor but not a dermatologist.
Is that the weird stuff with the blue thread coming out of the skin?
Has he been tested for lymes? I know that a combo of tea tree oil, mint tea and witch hazel helps rashes.I make mine using a spray bottle filled with a cup of mint tea, half a bottle of witch hazel and about 10- 15 drops of tea tree oil. Shake well before using. So does a sock filled with plain old oatmeal in the bath. Works on sunburn too. Good luck.
Does he take the steroids as a pill, or does he use a cream?
I'm led to understand the latter has much less effect on the kidneys.
BTW, what kind of steroid? Prednisone or similar?
I don't know. I'm always amazed at the number of professionals in all fields who frequent Free Republic -- and not just the ones who stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night! :-)
I am not a doctor. I don't know where you live. But I have a rash sometimes on my arms and legs that seems to improve when I expose to 20 minutes or so of full sun each day. I guess a sun lamp or tanning bed with accomplish the same thing. This is just my experience and not medical advice. Prayer is always worth trying too.
It seems odd to have food allergies manifest this way, but our allergist says it can happen. Soy is in practically everything as a preservative. We'd have to eat fresh all the time to avoid it, and we mostly do. Fresh and frozen produce is more healthy anyway, and we don't fry anything, ever.
I would drink Kombucha Tea.
You mean Lyme's disease, carried by ticks? I'm interested in trying your spray, thank you!
I know this is serious and I can truly sympathize with your husband's distress, BUT based on the title you might as well expect this to be the Friday sillyness thread.
Steroids in Dosepaks are great for knocking down a rash but there are several downsides to their use and they can leave you open to a secondary bacterial or fungal infection. Topical steroids like Hydrocortosone 2% are ok but really designed for small areas where the rash is not bad. We have several species of fungi living on our skin, it's perfectly normal and our immune system usually keeps them in check. Steroids, however, are like cotton candy to them and in extreme cases can result in ringworm (which is not a worm at all). I would suggest he get some Phisohex 3% cleanser from his physician (it's prescription only) and wash the area twice a day when it pops up.
He takes prednisone. I know it's damaging to the immune system.
At the one year mark, last November, he had spontaneous pneumothorax. Someone with WHO told me there could be a connection. He has 'blebs' (small holes) in both lungs. He had to have a VATS and was in hospital for 3 wks.
Do you live in/around Stinkadena?
Must....resist....urge....to....snark....
How do you know if someone on an anonymous website, really is a professional?
Jock itch?
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