Rash everywhere and WEEPING scalp-Oh Dear!!!

[way]

Hello all- so sorry for the gross post.

Broke out in hives,shingles,chicken pox or something about three weeks ago and went crazy itching, and in addition the other RIBA RASH everywhere except lower legs. Missed 4 days work.

I have been to three doctors in the last week and a half. I was just in to GI Friday for my monthly, and blood looks good but enzymes are up.

The PCP refered to a derm on my plan that could take me two days later...And wouldn't ya know it--it was one of those laser center cosmotology geeks. He gave me the standard hand-out about fragrance free everything, no dryer sheets of softener. And wrote me two Rx's (at my sugestion) one for aterax and some cream--desoximetasone 0.25%. He didn't address my scalp issue and I was so brain dead and itching like madd I forgot to do more than just mention it, I guess it wasn't exerbated at the time.

I will get another referal Monday to a better derm. Are they ALL concentrated on the laser surgery and cosmetic enhancement or do some still deal with actual skin problems??

I have been putting a wash cloth on head with scarf over and it's soaking through, and putting a towel on pillow (soaking through) and actually wetting the pillow. So now I'll have to get a vinyl pillow cover, until I can control this.

Using a T-sal shampoo, with salicyclic acid and also nioxen to clean out the excreations which are making hair real stiff and scalp really hurts. Hair coming out big time trying to get this off me.

Using gold bond for skin but burns some areas so have to use different products, milder.

Suggestions

[way]

How to not sctatch is a dilemma. Ive also been using liqued bandage so not to unconsiously scratch some of the worst.

[jmjm530]

Sorry about your problems, treatment really can do a number on your skin.

From personal experience, I'd forget all about Gold Bond or anything else that you might find irritating and concentrate on getting things calmed down.

If the T-gel, etc, is working, fine, but if it seems to just be making things worse, you made need a topical steoid first. Best I've found for the scalp is Olux Foam. Talk to your doctor and/or derm about it. OK to use daily for ten days and then you want to switch to weekends only and gradually phase out and maintain something that doesn't contain steroids. Speaking of which, try not to use any steroids on your face, especially the strong ones, unless absolutely necessary, and then only for very short periods of time.

For moisturizes, I found the mildest to be Cetaphil Cream (not the lotion). A lot of folks simply use vaseline but it can end up clogging up the pores if used to often. Soaking in OTC Banetar bath oil can also help ease the itching but just be careful about getting it on your face. For cleaning, I use Cetaphil bar soap and at one point used Cetaphil liquid without water. You might want to experiment.

All the stuff about laundry detgergent, etc, is also good advice and if possibler only wear loose fitting cotton clothes, preferab ly white (no dyes). I bought several pair of thin silk long johns, and wore it under all my clothes to combat irritation. Wool against the skin was the worst.

I found derms a royal PITA and have gone through around seven, picking up a little here and there and combining it with a lot of research. The good news is that most of the skin problems will go away after treatment although in my case some remain six months post.

Hope you find some relief soon.

All the best.

-- Jim

[mycoldfeet]

I had the same thing except it was mostly on my arms and side, thought it was poison ivy, so I got two bottles differnt kinds of lotion, but it stopped the itching and dried up the weeping, might help as a temp fix, Doc called me in an anti itch med, but knocked me on my butt. couldn't lift my arm if I did itch and slept a lot, so I stayed with the walgreen cream.

[jmjm530]

Here's an excellent web site where you can try and match skin conditions to pics. http://www.dermnetnz.org/

Just be aware that skin conditions can mimic each other but I found it very helpful in pointing the derms in the right direction. They seem to play the game "I can dx your skin condition in less time than it takes you to tell me what's wrong" and because of that they're wrong at least half of the time. Unless, of course, you want an expensive laser procedure, in which case they'll take all the time in the world explaining it to you :)

-- Jim

[beamishboy]

i use shampoo & soap that i pay too much for!!-but both are natural,v mild and aloe based(occasionally a teatree based shampoo)....before i shower i grease up scalp&body with aloe vera gel for hours of absorption and i just shampoo less often...this has helped me with: itchy scalp,scabs & sores&dry itchy skin..I haven't reacted to medicines with profound skin problems like you have,so comparisons are maybe less than useless..but i have used gallons of moisturizers on face,legs,scalp.back,hands,feet and eyes-avoiding alcohol containing products and getting best results from the high end 'natural'- as in $$$$$ <>>>>>>>>>TRX SUXS and i wish you THE BEST....

[Forseegood]

I just read some posts about people who were saying that their docs (and a guy who was at a symposium for hep c said some of the docs on the panel said this...if youre on Riba, to please try to stay out of the sun...they talked about some studies of people with skin problems due to riba, and how they lessened once they stayed out of the sun...prob hard to do I know, but I just thought I'd pass this on for whatever it's worth, I'm sure no expert on this...

[way]

Jmjm530- thanks. I've also dabbed caladryl with q-tip on scalp and that seem to help some. It seems like the first rash areas in process of resolving (?) seem to be peeling and flaking and red.(those are the areas that the gold bond stings)So I'm using the RX cream the derm rxed and on ears too as those are flaking and some cracking. Is this in process of resolving or just another manefestion. I've heard you say not to scratch... how do you manage that?? I've got a soft bristled brush and the aterax every 8hrs seems to work when it's time for dose I notice to be alot more itchy.
So it's russian roulette with derms. I've got a case worker now with BC/BS so I'll ask for a special specialist...

My cold feets.

The aterax effected me like that also (drosiness sp) but the itching was worse so I persevered with the antihistimine and now can take it in the daytime without too much drousiness. Guess I'm not gonna spell that rite

[way]

I've been looking for an unscented aloe product. which one do you use, and do you get at a health store??

[Morgaina]

I had the itching that turned into weeping and then scabbing sores. They were mostly around my ears, temples,around hairline back of neck and a few on left side of scalp. I tried everything but washing them (shower) everyday and letting them dry seemed to keep them least painful. I used steroid meds (prednisone) EOT for 5 days but it is still trying to clear at 2 mo. post tx. It IS clearing though and like jmjm says, a topical steroid cream will probably help. Catch 22 is that steroids effect the immune system but a topical may help more than hurt! Vaseline (not lotion, clear stuff) kept some from cracking and hurting.

[way]

YES I stay out of the sun just go to the mailbox and take out the trash etc. Less than 30 second outside. I also seem to be reacting to heat (at work)sweat probably toxic.

I hate to say (gross) but the stuff exuding from scalp really smells bad. I've read that some people say they can smell the riba in their sweat etc, I wonder if thats what this awfull smell is?? Sorry I know gross. Sorry sorry.

[jmjm530]

"Flaking and red" could be Seborrhoeic Dermatitis. I had it pretty bad and still have an occasional flare. Try doing a search on the NZ website referenced above and see if that's what you might have. Of course, confirm with a dermatologist.

If that's it, just about anything other than a corticoid will irritate it so the protocol is first calm it down with topical steroids and then maintain with perhaps a topical immunospurresant like Elidel Cream and finally with moisturizers.One protocol for seb derm is Ketoconazole cream but it irritated the h*ll out of my skin. Good rule of thumb with the skin is that if something is making things worse, stop it. Sounds simple enough, but it took me a while to figure that out.  

Not sure about Caladryl but if it doesn't work defintely ask your doctor about the Olux Foam. Strong stuff and it should knock the seb derm down and stop the itching within a week. Scratching is bad and some suggest rubbing with an ice cube. I also cut my nails very short.

Good luck !

-- Jim

[beamishboy]

Way- o.k. i schlepped to upstairs bathrm and back( whew,let me catch my breathe..i'm kidding...) i use MillCreek botanicals- www.millcreekusa.com-it contains aloe,panthenol,chamomile,vit E & lots of natural/organic stuff....-GOODLUCK-

[way]

Asked the doc for topical steroid cream, and he said no-would thin the skin and rx desoximetasone 0.25%. (havent googled that yet) This really helps the ear and dryer cracking areas- but it's so greasy--so I don't use it all over probably should but can't stand to be putting anything on that doesn't soak in.

[Forseegood]

Hey, nothing HUMAN is gross to me, only human...what's gross to me is political ineptitude and cruelty of all kinds, but that's a different matter...hope you can get a beat on this and be feeling better soon...

I actually have been copying Jim's skin posts and Pigionica's blood sugar posts for future reference...hey, make this board work for you instead of against, right? be well...

[jmjm530]

Forsee: I actually have been copying Jim's skin posts
---------------------------------
Did you catch the one where I use topical Uni for riba rash. LOL.
Hope this finds you well.

-- Jim

[way]

Thanks for all your suggestion and product names and website. I will kepp them and see another derm-- I think the caladryl is working no itchy itchy

[way]

Yes I save everything that works for others even if I don't have that problem (yet) or so I can give to others.

Like Nygirls mouthsore cure--equal parts of malox and children liquid benedryl ...

[Forseegood]

wow, right on the riba rash? your pals must think, boy, that Jim is one scintillating conversationalist, but man, he smells like Santa Monica pier at high tide...let's go get some sushi huh?

[Forseegood]

Hey, actually DRINKING aloe vera juice is really good for protecting the skin as well, (maybe 4 oz a day along with some fruit juice and water cocktail) along with many other benefits...but I've only said that what, 80 times?? ha ha, just hope it helps someone...

[dyce]

Foresee, I've actually been copyin jims post.

  Foresee, did ya get the 1 where jim use's crushed riba ta season his cheeseburgers! LOL.

[way]

Thanx for goin upstairs for me-- hey why can't you "beam up" there.lol

[jmjm530]

Ya' mean the "Angry Burger" platter :)

[dyce]

Ya jim, the way ta really temper a burger!!!

[Forseegood]

Hey Dyce, youre seeming fit and sassy, hope this means youre feeling better...I don't want to even conjure up what an angry burger means...before or after...