Help!!!

[lucifersam]

I've always been quite healthy, but lately my skin has broken out into a rash. It doesn't hurt at all, but it comes out in small patches, and the bigger patches have started to flake. It started just under my fringe and I don't have many patches on my face, but it has been travelling down my neck to my breasts, back and stomach. I'm really self concious about it as I've never had skin problems before, but it is spreading quite rapidly. I am with the same partner for two years and am very careful about sex. The only thing I have done differently lately is dye my hair, but I have used that product previously without problem, and as far as I know I am not allergic to anything. I work in Holland, Germany and Begium, so i travel a lot between these places. I have looked on the internet a little bit about it, but I am getting genuinely embarrassed. I don't even dress up since it happened. It's really affecting me. Please help.

[FurballsMom]

You can develop allergies to things that you've never been allergic to before.  I suggest reading the forum discussing hair dyes.  There are many horror stories about allergies to these hair dyes.  There are many man-made chemicals that are so toxic in hair dyes.  People were even talking about brands that you might associate with being less toxic or "natural" and what kinds of allergic reactions they have had to these products.  You really have to watch these ones that are supposedly "natural", because those also have many man-made chemicals that are very toxic.  These are ones that people were talking about having reactions to.  I found this information when researching "natural" hair dyes.

Did you know that hair dressers who are around hair dye for so many years have a higher rate of bladder cancer than other people?

I did this research because I have MCS and I wanted to know if there was anything that would be safe for me to use.  I have concluded that there pretty much isn't anything I feel comfortable trying for myself.  I already have skin issues on my scalp with little spots of dermatitis and eczema that I am sure would only be aggravated if I tried any hair dye, including these so-called "natural" hair dyes.  I have concluded that I'll just have to accept the natural graying process that comes with aging.  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Without examination,confirmation of a diagnosis is tough but it sounds like eczema to me. It is a form of chronic dermatitis (rash).Allergic reaction is one of the important causes of eczema. Allergic reaction can occur to strong soaps, Solvents, chemicals, certain foods, food additives, plants, metals, cosmetics, even urine and faeces of some animals (dust mites).

Wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. You can take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps.For mild-moderate eczema a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone as dermacort), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide).

Eczema can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin.

If still the symptoms do not improve then pls get a clinical examination done by a dermatologist.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Kind regards.