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Rash that won't go away even with steroids

Hello everyone,

I am a 20 year old female, and I am I college student.  I'm 156 lbs, 5'2," and I am in good health.  I work out every day, eat clean and healthy (example:  in the morning, I eat toast with avocado, smoothie or sandwich for lunch, and chicken breast with brown rice and/or salad for dinner), and have had no complications at all until now.  

I have had a severe rash starting since September 24th, 2014 until now, and it has been over 3 weeks now.  I have seen 4 doctors, and nothing they have given me has helped.

I was sitting in my apartment and started itching at my knees, to which I tried to relieve with Hydrocortisone 1%, claritin, and Banophen (diphenhydramine), which didn't help at all.  

I went home and initially, I went to an acupuncturist (because my family believes in alternative medicine), who gave me Chinese medicine and acupuncture, but of course, that did not help.

I then went to my doctor, who prescribed 10 mg Atarax and 2 days worth of prednisone (4 pills, 1 taken in the morning, and 1 taken at night).  The prednisone did help, but I went back to school and the rash came back even worse.

After that, I went to the hospital because it had gotten so bad.  The doctor had ruled out any possibilities of scabies, bed bugs, etc. and told me it wasn't an internal problem with my kidneys either, or else I would have shown other symptoms first.  She told me to change my shampoo, bed sheets, soap, detergent, etc--to which I did, and that didn't help either.  I had switched to non-fragrance, organic shampoo and soap (brand name Ology) from Pantene, washed my bed sheets, cleaned everything in my room, and nothing has helped at all.  I was also prescribed Atarax (25 mg), Famotidine, and the Medrol dosepak (methylprednisolone), and that didn't work either.

I have also showered in cold water, used topical diphenhydramine and Fluocinonide.  Nothing.

One week later (I had to go to school so it was difficult being at home), I went to see a dermatologist.  The dermatologist had ruled that it was an allergic reaction due to something I had eaten and told me to exclude beef, chocolate, fried foods, soda, coffee, strawberries, papayas, persimmons, durians, mushrooms, spicy foods, and seafood from my diet, which was easy, since I didn't eat most of the things on that list anyways.  I was given Topicort (Desoximetasone) in the form of the 5 mg cream and 25 mg spray.  Nope.  Nothing.  That didn't work either.  It got better, but then worsened after about 3 days.

Then, I went to see my doctor again, and he prescribed to me more 25 mg atarax and gave me a steroid shot (I'm not sure what it's called... it started with a D).  I took a blood test, even though he told me I won't be able to find the allergen through that and I'm also doing a stool culture test for 3 days.

I have tried almost everything, and nothing has worked at all.  I would definitely appreciate any suggestions on how to treat this or even any knowledge on WHAT I have, because I haven't been diagnosed with anything yet.

Thank you very much!
12 Responses
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Avatar universal
I e had arash on my neck since Dec..same thing nothing works...somone please help!!
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I have a bad rash all over my upper body and face burning that has been worsening for the last 10-15 years. I am just miserable most of the time.
I have seen countless doctors
I believe that it all started after a hep B vaccine series which also resulted in Lymphoma Cancer.  I haven't had a vaccine (including the flu scam vaccine) since.

You might try a candida cleanse including caprylic acid taken daily.  My severe leg itching did clear up after I did this, but it might have been just a coincidence.

Anyone with ideas can email me:
***@****
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1 Comments
Have you tried removing certain things from your diet other than candida?  It could be something in your diet that is causing it- you can try to remove things one at a time and keep a log of the results.  For example, try removing dairy, if you don't see any change- try removing gluten, etc.  So sorry you are having to deal with this!  
Avatar universal
Carmex  seems to help. Also Sovereign Silver First Aid Gel does soothe.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had the SAME exact thing, they continuously rules our scabies, over and over again the rash kept coming back. It wasn't until my boyfriend got the same rash that I went to the doctor DEMANDING them give me scabies cream and pills. After the second round of cream and pills it WORKED. It has not come back and I am angry as ever for getting passed around from doctor to doctor an having to fight to get treated for scabies. I believe maybe it wasn't even scabies but another mite? Either way I had this nightmare rash for 3 months on and off and it has now been gone for 2 months! Good luck everyone, getting treated for scabies is worth a try!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello all, original poster here. I apologize for not getting back to this forum. I have been treated and I have not had a rash for 2 years now. It was resolved by using calamine lotion every day and taking sea salt water baths, as per my allergist's recommendations.

Steaming myself with lemongrass, orange peels, lemons, and apples also helped as well. My mother boiled a large pot of lemongrass and had me sit in the middle of the kitchen with a blanket over me. Helped me sweat out the toxins and really relieved my itching.

Now that I am studying to be a health professional, I suspect that it may have been an adverse reaction to my environment and it may have been possible that my immune system was dysfunctional and my antibodies could possibly have reacted to allergens such as cat dander, pollen, etc., that I have never reacted to before. Prednisone definitely works, but in higher dosages for about 1-2 weeks. If you are looking for a natural way, I recommend calamine lotion and having a homemade lemongrass sauna like I made and just steaming yourself. Good luck!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I also have an insanely itchy rash for 16 months. I have been through 2 - 30 gram tubes of 2.5% hydrocortisone.  My doctor refused to treat me with anything, telling me she could not see anything, and directed me to use Selsun Blue.  Six months later,  I begged her for prescription strength hydrocortisone.  Not consistently effective, relief only for a short time.  The rash is tiny inflamed bumps that itch like crazy, a patch the size of my hand that actually has traveled down and across my back.  I scratch on top of my shirt.  I found Weleda Diaper Rash cream called White Mallow, ingredients: Zinc Oxide 14%, it soothes the itch for hours and I am grateful for the relief.  I have sprayed various essential oils to little effect. I will try applying lavender or tea tree oil directly.  I am healthy, fit and consume mostly organic foods including daily kefir and other fermented foods.  This started in San Diego on filtered CIty water.  
Helpful - 0
3 Comments
I also use organic bath products almost exclusively, like Dr Bronner's Peppermint soap and toothpaste.  I am still not seeing an end to the problem, it just keeps moving around.
Any relif found? I habe a friend that has been battling the same issies for 12 months?
I'm 26 years old had ezxema since I was a kid but about 3 years ago I hardly ever got rashes anymore and it was just dry skin. SO after having itchy, gross excema all my life you could imagine how happy I was that my body and ski was finally normal- something I also dreamed of, just being able to wear shorts and short sleeves without embarrassment. ANYWAYS, fast forward some time after my skin becoming flare up free and "normal" all of a sudden EVERY SINGLE TIME I got out of the shower my body was covered in hives and unbearable itch. TURNS OUT, while my shower water was clean, it in fact needed another filter to be put around the shower head...because once I added one no longer was I getting hives or itchy from just showering....HOWEVER a couple months later my rashes and flare ups and unbearable itching started again OUT OF NO WHERE after having clear beautiful itch-free rash-free skin all over my body- ALL OVER---i knew this wasnt excema because excema is just in certain spots for me like inside of elbows and back of knees---this was everywhere and on my body and whenever I would get out of the shower and put clean clothes on i would break out in hives itch bleed, then put new clean clothes on and the cycle would continue - I WAS ITCHY ALL THE TIME --- TURNS OUT I WAS ALLERGIC TO THE DETERGENT I WAS USING _ THEY CHANGED THEIR INGREDIENTS OR MY FAM BOUGHT A NEW BRAND idk i wasn't the one buying it, either way my mom said maybe lets try a natural detergent or one with no chemicals and SURE ENOUGH PROBLEM SOLVED it was my detergent that I was allergic to and I didnt even know it...TOO LONG DIDNT READ: I WAS GETTING RASHES BECAUSE OF MY SHOWER WATER AND NEEDED TO BUY AN EXTRA FILTER TO PUT ON THE SHOWER HEAD AND BECAUSE I WAS ALLERGIC TO THE DETERGENT I WAS WASHING MY CLOTHES WITH --bought a super natural no **** chemical filled one and my skin was back to clear and itch free
Avatar universal
Did you resolve it? This has been my story since December. Prednisone and Kenalog seemed to almost knock it out, but once the steroids have been used up, back to an angry "allergic" skin.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
:
Helpful - 0
1059521 tn?1432461164
Sulfur actually works wonders for skin conditions. You can get it in a soap and balm form on Amazon.com for really cheap.

Usually extreme changes in temperature cause bumpy rashes. Re-using towels after hot showers, exfoliating too much. I used to break out in hives all over my entire body. Zyrtec was the ONLY allergy med that got rid of them. And I tried them all. Have you had your thyroid levels checked? Hormonal disruptions and imbalances will cause thickening of the skin in certain areas.

Are you scratching at it? It looks angry. The last thing you want to do is scratch it and introduce even more bacteria and contaminants from your fingernails directly into your broken skin This will lead to infection and spreading.

Have you tried using natural soothing products instead of chemical prescription topical creams and injections? Do you take enough Vit. D3 and get enough sun exposure? I live in the desert and take 5000iu's a day and my D blood levels are just barely in the optimal range.  The majority of people are deficient. Vit. D repairs DNA, so Here is an area to start that never hurts. 1mg Folic acid a day, too for rapid regeneration. (that's 1000mcg)

Lavender essential oil is very effective for allergies. It's also cooling and soothing and has antibacterial, skin healing, analgesic, and soothing properties.
Tea Tree oil is also amazing for treating skin infections, acne, eczema, etc.
Lavender and Tea Tree are a few of the only essential oils that don't require a carrier oil. Apply them directly after a lukewarm shower. Always be aware of what surfaces you are touching before putting your hands on your skin. Always use a fresh, clean towel.
You can apply the oils with a cotton swab directly to each individual angry bump. throughout the day. Castor oil will seal and protect your skin. Keep the area dry and free from sweat. Aloe vera gel will be soothing as well.

I just looked it up. The Sulfur Butter is currently on Sale. You can see from the ingredients is very pure and natural. No chemicals. http://www.amazon.com/SPECIAL-PACKAGE-Ointment-Salicylic-Cleansing/dp/B00DHG3KRY/?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1432486265&sr=1-4&keywords=sulphur+butter
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
is the rash on your upper arms
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Avatar universal
Yes steroids is become increasingly prescribed for unknown skin disease. get tested for gluten sensitivity or celiacs disease.
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Avatar universal
An allergy to externally applied steroids is recently being recognized as a problem.
A patch test could help you to recognize.
A sensitization to nickel is also likely.
Helpful - 0
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