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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Does eczema leave chickenpox-like scars?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Does eczema leave chickenpox-like scars?
by Laura, Jan 01, 2000 12:00AM
Since Feb. 1999 I have experienced an intensely itchy rash that started on my ankle, moved up and around my right leg to the knee in June, then also my left leg, thighs, stomach, and arms from the elbows down. It is a bumpy red rash, but at the beginning, my skin itched, then the bumps appeared. At its peak, I itched the second I woke up, especially on my arms, but everyone says it is not scabies. I have seen my gp and two dermatologists who has prescribed: E-mycin, Bactroban, Psorcon-E .05%, Triamcinolone ointment .5%, Lubriderm with betamethansone valerate, and had two cortisone shots in August. The cortisone shots were my only true relief, which lasted exactly two weeks. I received 80 units of some sort. The Psorcon-E helps, but the second dermatologist I saw thought it was two strong to keep using. Now I have chickenpox-like scars on my legs and lesser scars on my arms. My right leg is flaring up just like it did in Feb., so I am afraid the entire cycle is starting again, and I just started to get better in late Sept. I have not had blisters, just itching which comes and goes, but I scratch until I bleed to relieve it. The various diagnoses have been from "I don't know (nurse practitioner) to eczema, to I don't know, it's hivish - dermatologists. I have searched through Dermatology textbooks and the internet, and I don't seem to find descriptions of anything that leaves these types of scars, unless it was just because mine became too infected? I am 50 years old, premenopausal, and have had no skin problems except seborrheic dermatitis in my college years. I do not have hay fever or allergies. I was not on any medications at the time this all started. Any ideas? I have asked my doctor for a referral to yet another dermatologist, but it will probably be a month or two until I get an appointment. I am appalled that after all these doctor visits and medications, I still wound up with scars. Of course, my scratching caused them I guess. Can you suggest other useful medications to ask the dermatologist about, or other diagnoses to consider? The dermatologist I have seen the most like to says that there is something magical about E-mycin and the skin, but it didn't seem to work for me!
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jan 02, 2000 12:00AM
, Jan 02, 2000 12:00AM
Laura:
There are many ill-defined itchy conditions which make people miserable and respond poorly or erratically to treatment. If scratched--and they usually are--they often leave scars which I suppose can be reminiscent of chickenpox, and I assume that is what you are describing. Doctors sometimes refer to this as "prurigo nodularis," which more or less restates our ignorance in Latin. Cause is unknown. It does not go "in cycles;" in other worss, just because it recurs to some extent does not automatically mean that it will come back full-blast as it did before.
If Psorcon E helped, I would not be afraid to use it anywhere but the face, even long-term. Another possible treatment is Doxepin, either topically or by mouth. Antihistamines help sometimes too, but I'd stay away from injected cortisone, which as you probably know can cause significant side-effects if used repeatedly. Topical anti-itch preparations like Sarna lotion, used continually can help suppress itch and scratching. You can pick that up without a prescription while you wait for your next visit.
The good news is that with patience and perseverance, many cases can be brought under control long enough for the "scars" to recede or go away altogether.
Good luck.
Dr. R
There are many ill-defined itchy conditions which make people miserable and respond poorly or erratically to treatment. If scratched--and they usually are--they often leave scars which I suppose can be reminiscent of chickenpox, and I assume that is what you are describing. Doctors sometimes refer to this as "prurigo nodularis," which more or less restates our ignorance in Latin. Cause is unknown. It does not go "in cycles;" in other worss, just because it recurs to some extent does not automatically mean that it will come back full-blast as it did before.
If Psorcon E helped, I would not be afraid to use it anywhere but the face, even long-term. Another possible treatment is Doxepin, either topically or by mouth. Antihistamines help sometimes too, but I'd stay away from injected cortisone, which as you probably know can cause significant side-effects if used repeatedly. Topical anti-itch preparations like Sarna lotion, used continually can help suppress itch and scratching. You can pick that up without a prescription while you wait for your next visit.
The good news is that with patience and perseverance, many cases can be brought under control long enough for the "scars" to recede or go away altogether.
Good luck.
Dr. R
Boy, do I ever understand your feelings of frustration! Since Sept/Oct of 1998, my 15 yr.old developed this round reddish rash on her arms and legs only. The 1rst derm. we saw prescribed very strong cremes and ointments that literally dried her skin out to the point of extreme irritation and made the rash spread. He also had us wrap her ams and legs in gauze, which further irritated these bumps to the extent that they became raw, oozy, and infected. Then he accused her of picking at the rash thru the gauze. The next derm we saw, treated her with zithromax initially, cortezone shots, bactraban and temovate ointments, and something like an x-ray machine. It's been a year now of watching my child be nothing more than a pin cushion. We have noticed that when she gets sick, the rash flares up, as it does in the winter. During the summer, the UV rays of the sun help it go way. We've also eliminated all detergents & soaps with perfumes and dyes, and no longer use fabric softeners. We're now on our 3rd derm, an allergist and another biopsy. Any other biopsy and blood tests proved inconclusive, other than "she has sensitive skin". Well, gee, duh. The 3rd derm suggested to discontinue the shots and x-rays, and have put my daughter on Dioxpin 10mg. at night. After all this, we still have no idea what the rash is, what causes it and how to cure it. If anyone else has any ideas, please feel free to chime in.
(Prior to the zyrtec I was on claritin but that was not as effective)
I have not been able to find a lot about this condition and they have told me that sometimes it just goes away. It's been almost a year... I don't know if any of this applies to your situation, but for just the relief of the itching I would take some kind of oral antihistimine...speaking from only my own experience with the itching. One last point, mine seems to be worse in the warm humid weather...I don't know if any of this will help you but if I find out anything further, I will let you know. Good Luck
erythromicine, but I have not really noticed a change. She seems to believe it is acne, but it does not look like acne to me. Just because of the tiny scabs that form on top of the bumps
they almost seem like little sores. The scars that these bumps are leaving are very irritating and even the old bumps itch