Flat Warts

[wattford439]

I'm at the end of my rope here!
4 dermatologists have said I have flat warts, and a biopsy said I have "dilated hair follicles with cystic change" as well. I believe I may even have eczema on my shoulder, but that's really the least of my worries at the moment.

I've tried every remedy and medical treatment I could get so far, with no results. Candida injections. Triamcinolone cream. Cutting and burning and freezing (they grow back as fast as the skin does). Tee tree oil. Garlic. Zinc supplements and cream. Vitamin supplements in general. Banana peel. Apple cider vinegar. Potassium. Essential oils such as oil of oregano. Homeopathic treatments (hey, I'm desperate enough to try) such as thuja and dulcamara.

So what's the big problem with this? ITCHING. Itching enough to wake me up out of a dead sleep. It is very nearly intolerable, meaning I can barely even live with it. Scratching the itch doesn't even stop the itching sensation.

As far as I can tell, there is only one medication that I have yet to try, and I'm having trouble getting someone to prescribe it for me: Acitretin. I don't even know if it would work as it's a psoriasis med, but I've read of it's effectiveness in cases where other treatments have failed to show any sign of improvement.

Anyway, that's what's going on with me, and I would appreciate any derm's opinion on the matter, particularly on the topic of acitretin. Please view the photo included, as it's very difficult to photograph these things and I think I did a pretty decent job.
Thanks.

[wattford439]

Well now I'm stumped. I've just had a biopsy done of one of the "flat warts" identified by a couple of dermatologists, and the result was negative. The biopsy site was the first of these lesions I developed, which was removed with excision and grew back soon after. They said they were unable to find anything at all other than scar tissue.
If it was psoriasis or eczema wouldn't that show up in the biopsy results? What does this mean?

[wattford439]

Thanks for your comment. I've been to many doctors, and the only consensus is that I have flat warts. Different doctors have thrown out possibilities but they are always different. I've been prescribed medications for dermatitis, fungal infections, etc., and nothing has worked. I was just in to see my primary doctor today and all he offered me was an anti anxiety medication.
It seems that this is my life now.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I have seen the photographs and it looks like dryness of skin as present in eczema or atopic dermatitis. There are certain other non-pharmacological measures which are equally important in treating atopic dermatitis. These are Lubricating the skin frequently, avoiding harsh soaps and cleansers, preventing scratching or rubbing whenever possible, protecting skin from excessive moisture, irritants, and rough clothing, maintaining a cool, stable temperature and consistent humidity levels, limiting exposure to dust, cigarette smoke, pollens, and animal dander & Recognizing and limiting emotional stress.

Acretin contains tretinoin which should be used with caution and only after a dermatologist’s guidance. But it is useful for acne or lichen sclerosus.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.