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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Scabies or something else?
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.
Scabies or something else?
by Behooved, Sep 06, 2003 12:00AM
(I'm noting other symptoms,etc which may/may not be related-just in case.)I'm a 46-yr old female,in good health,&have never experienced anything like this.Any previous allergies have only been mild,hayfever-type(no skin problems involved).I have not recently changed detergent,soap,perfumes,wearing newly-bought undergarments,etc,etc-all things that one first thinks of re: contact dermatitis,although worst affected areas(pelvis,both breasts& buttock)would indicate that.
Approx.8/23/03,first noted misquito-type bites with itching on r.pelvic area(above pubic hair).This soon appeared rash-like,& for several days spread to numerous spots of pelvic area.I used Calamine lotion-appeared to help,& area appeared improving-though very slowly.My last monthly period began 8/27,&I was injected with Depo-Provera as precaution since recently resumed relationship with the same 1 person I'd been involved with for last 11 yrs(but have had no recent actual intercourse-though there has been some very intimate touching in the worst-affected areas of skin).On 9/2,noted one breast area itchy with pimple-like rash.Later same day(shortly after home from work&changing clothes),noted terrible,sudden itching on l.butt&saw/felt cluster of red,misquito-type bumps(also noted some cramping in lower abdomen during that day&pm,although my period ended on 8/30).I was awoken with itching during middle of that pm(9/2)-mostly pelvic area&both breasts.Next day(9/3),both breasts even more itchy/very sore.Doused myself with Calamine lotion on all affected areas that a.m.-felt ok til early afternoon@work-felt itch on r.shoulder with that same just-bitten by misquito look of skin.(During that day,also noted increased sensitivity in area of root canal done several yrs ago.)That pm noted same "bite-like" feeling on r.hip &later noted pimply-type skin feeling now also on both upper arms(though no redness there).The itchiness in all affected areas wasn't too bad that pm,but sensitivity in area of root canal made it difficult for me to bite into food (not really any problems with that since).Then next am(9/4),noted both thighs covered with whitish,non-poppable,pimply-type eruptions(but not red or itchy then or since).Was able to see a dermatologist that day who dx'd contact dermatitis.After discussing dermatitis,he only briefly questioned me if this could possibly be "scabies"-at that time,thinking he meant "crabs"I said "no".He gave me Cortisone injection,Zyrtec for each pm& clobetasol propionate gel rx,&did not mention anything about me being contageous(voiced as my main concern!),& f/u in 1 wk if condition not improved/worsens.Aside from little/no change with all affected areas(probably due to conscious effort in not scratching)several other parts of body now showing whitish,under skin type bumps-just about everywhere below neck(&much more prominent on thighs)-yet NONE on hands/feet/vagina.Can only add:I swam in a pond,&touched my boyfriend 2wks prior to onset of 1st symptom.-Help!
Approx.8/23/03,first noted misquito-type bites with itching on r.pelvic area(above pubic hair).This soon appeared rash-like,& for several days spread to numerous spots of pelvic area.I used Calamine lotion-appeared to help,& area appeared improving-though very slowly.My last monthly period began 8/27,&I was injected with Depo-Provera as precaution since recently resumed relationship with the same 1 person I'd been involved with for last 11 yrs(but have had no recent actual intercourse-though there has been some very intimate touching in the worst-affected areas of skin).On 9/2,noted one breast area itchy with pimple-like rash.Later same day(shortly after home from work&changing clothes),noted terrible,sudden itching on l.butt&saw/felt cluster of red,misquito-type bumps(also noted some cramping in lower abdomen during that day&pm,although my period ended on 8/30).I was awoken with itching during middle of that pm(9/2)-mostly pelvic area&both breasts.Next day(9/3),both breasts even more itchy/very sore.Doused myself with Calamine lotion on all affected areas that a.m.-felt ok til early afternoon@work-felt itch on r.shoulder with that same just-bitten by misquito look of skin.(During that day,also noted increased sensitivity in area of root canal done several yrs ago.)That pm noted same "bite-like" feeling on r.hip &later noted pimply-type skin feeling now also on both upper arms(though no redness there).The itchiness in all affected areas wasn't too bad that pm,but sensitivity in area of root canal made it difficult for me to bite into food (not really any problems with that since).Then next am(9/4),noted both thighs covered with whitish,non-poppable,pimply-type eruptions(but not red or itchy then or since).Was able to see a dermatologist that day who dx'd contact dermatitis.After discussing dermatitis,he only briefly questioned me if this could possibly be "scabies"-at that time,thinking he meant "crabs"I said "no".He gave me Cortisone injection,Zyrtec for each pm& clobetasol propionate gel rx,&did not mention anything about me being contageous(voiced as my main concern!),& f/u in 1 wk if condition not improved/worsens.Aside from little/no change with all affected areas(probably due to conscious effort in not scratching)several other parts of body now showing whitish,under skin type bumps-just about everywhere below neck(&much more prominent on thighs)-yet NONE on hands/feet/vagina.Can only add:I swam in a pond,&touched my boyfriend 2wks prior to onset of 1st symptom.-Help!
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Sep 07, 2003 12:00AM
, Sep 07, 2003 12:00AM
Your symptoms are too vague for me to make any kind of definitive diagnosis on line.
Scabies is always considered when people itch. However, scabies usually causes not just a vague rash but progressive inability to sleep at night, and also your partner should be itching too, just as badly.
Anyhow, your dermatologist can diagnoses scabies. I would share your concerns with him about this at another visit, at which time he can reassess the situation. His choice of treatment suggests that he thinks you have a nondescript sensitivity, not anything contagious or transmissible, sexually or otherwise.
Pimply-type eruptions can be hard to pin down and eliminate,m but they generally aren't serious.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Scabies is always considered when people itch. However, scabies usually causes not just a vague rash but progressive inability to sleep at night, and also your partner should be itching too, just as badly.
Anyhow, your dermatologist can diagnoses scabies. I would share your concerns with him about this at another visit, at which time he can reassess the situation. His choice of treatment suggests that he thinks you have a nondescript sensitivity, not anything contagious or transmissible, sexually or otherwise.
Pimply-type eruptions can be hard to pin down and eliminate,m but they generally aren't serious.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Oh well, chance I chose to take in losing my 19 bucks worth.
Thanks anyway.
If the doctor who actually saw you wasn't sure, I'm somewhat surprised myself at your own surprise that I shouldn't be able to come upo with a straughtforward answer, sight unseen.
I did point put that your symptoms are not reminiscent of scabies or an STD. That should be of some use to you, I would think.
Dr. Rockoff
No disrespect meant. I do thank you for your feedback. Guess I'm just extremely frustrated from all this itching!
Sincerely,
Behooved