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Itchy painful scabies-like rash no proof of mites

I am a 42 year-old pale-skinned female in relatively good health.  I suffer from seasonal allergies and have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (20+ years ago) which is under control.  Almost a year ago I developed an itch near the base of my neck about the size of a quarter which I dismissed as dry skin.  Six months later, with severe itching on my scalp and base of neck, I finally decided to see a doctor.  My first visit with a nurse practioner resulted in an initial diagnosis of shingles, with an RX of triancinolone cream.  A week later, the rash now on both shoulders, a visit with an MD resulted in a contact dermatitis diagnosis and an RX of low dose prednisone (5mg).  A week after that, with the rash creeping down my back, chest and arms, my regular MD guessed scabies and gave me premethrin cream.  The following week I saw a dermatologist who scraped but found nothing.  The derm was convinced it was scabies and suggested higher dose of predisone, (60mg) and Ivermectin.  I took the Ivermectin and followed all cleaning routines.  All in all, I have done three premethrin and two Ivermectin courses.  In September, I was diagnosed with MRSA after  a huge pustule developed on my side.  Three courses of antibiotics later I am finally rid of the MRSA but my skin is a complete mess, worse than ever.  I have never had any of the classic signs of scabies infestation, between the fingers, burrows etc and my partner has zero signs of scabies, but the itching does wake me at night.  It is most severe on my upper and lower back and my legs.  I have had two visits with PHD, MD Derms outside my healthplan.  One suggested atopic dermatitis; the other was more concerned that I clear up my MRSA before trying to figure out the rash.  The one thing the first one did was to nail it as an "itch that creates a rash".  If I could just stop scratching, my skin might have a chance to heal.  I am taking atarax at night, benedryl during the day and I have clobex lotion and solution which I though were helping but know I am not so sure.  I have plaque-like fields on either side of my belly and lower back and scabs with red fields on my arms, chest, back and legs.  Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.
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Avatar universal
im having the same issues.. i started getting the rash in september of 2012 and i was pregnant at the time.. it started out on my legs and i thought it was flea's so i ignored it the best i could.. and eventually the rash spread up to my belly and arms, i went to the ER  and they said it was scabies and since i was pregnant they couldnt really treat me.. so i went to my primary doctor and they were unsure what it was,they sent me to my obgyn when i got there i had to see a different obgyn that wasnt my regular doctor and they were all convinced it wasnt scabies and some said it was, i went to a dermatologist and they said it was scabies.. and i did 3 rounds of perm. 5% and nothing skin scrappings came out inconclusive then after my son was born i went back to the skin  doctor and they gave me ivermectin an i took that and it cleared it up but my legs still itch like crazy an when i scratch my legs it looks like dandruff falling off my legs... the only thing i dont get is if it was scabies both  my sons would have it and they slept in the bed with me, my oldest is 15 months old and he never got any rash at all and never complained of being itchy and my new born (now turning 3 months)... but the rest of the house hold got the itchy rash!!!!!! im so confused and ready to be done with this.... id rather have lice then deal with this itchy rash
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3377969 tn?1347243329
I have a very similar thing to what ITCHY741 has, and i have self-diagnosed myself allergic to Neomycin. It is an antibiotic that is in creams, eyedrops and that kind of stuff. I also found out that there can be a small percentage of it in vaccinations. My family and i are all completely against vaccinations/immunisations and i recommend that if you suspect you are allergic or have atopic dermatitis or any other type of eczma, that you should not take vaccines or such. At least find out what chemicals are in your medicines before you consume. I hope this information helped :)
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Avatar universal
try not eating any gluten products of any kind, especially pasta, pizza, bread, no starches except for corn, rice and potato. I have suffered through all of this and I just tested my own theory. I ate a lot of pizza and bread products for the last week and the rash that had totally cleared up came back with a vengeance. Stay away from yeast and gluten products altogether. it's difficult but when I did it before my symptoms dissapeared altogether. I had a lot more energy, and no skin problems, it was nice. I wanted to test my theory, so I submitted myself to the last week of hell to find out that I was right, it is definitely the bread. Blisters on my finger's burning rash in my armpits, tiny pimples around my waste, horrible ring of dermatitis around my head, it was horrible before, but I will quit ingesting the poisonous yeasts and glutens and it will disappear again.
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Avatar universal
Did you ever figure out what you had? Has it been treated successfully?  My daughter now has the same symptoms as all the others on this thread and no solution.  
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Avatar universal
Unfortunately I am somewhat relieved to read these stories. I have such similar symtoms as do my very young children. I am completely at my wits end with this whole situation which has been going on about 8 months now. OUr diagnoses has been scabies as well which we have actually treated for in the past. I am really unsure if this is true due to the symptoms coming and going before any treatment. After the most recent treatment, my daughter mostly, has improved significantly, though she still scratches a lot. IT just seems as if the inflammation of the spots has gone down since the permetherin. And not to mention myself scratching non stop. I am amazed to here that we are not the only ones going through this. We also have kept our dogs outside wondering if its an allery or fleas. We have all been on allergy meds, countless creams and lotions, and steroids as well. It is more so the scatching that causes the rash. I have a derm appt coming up for my son (who does have eczema which this has also been said to be at one point) and hope we get some answers at that time. Good luch to everyone that may be as miserable as my family.
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Avatar universal
Just read about your symptoms and am amazed they are identical to mine.  I could have e written what you wrote.  Two visits to my family doctor and one to a dermatologist, two treatments with Permethrin, a few tubes of anti itch cremes, prednisone, anti-biotics, and steroid creme later, and I'm still itching.  On a ten scale with ten if it is disrupting my life, then it's a ten WITH the steroids.  Without, it would be an eleven!  I scratch so hard I bleed.  They started on my back but quickly, spread to my chest, stomach, lower back, legs, arms, and now, tops of feet, hands, and neck!  About a week after I started this, my husband got it!  We didn't touch, other than fully clothed hugs and touching lips.  I didn't have contact with anybody with the symptoms.  We have a dog and two cats, so in the beginning, I figured it was fleas, even though I had never had flea bites anywhere on my body but ankles,  this itchy rash spread so quickly that I ruled out fleas. Also ruled out bed bugs.  Evidently it's not scabies because the scrapings show nothing, and there are no burrows, and there is no rash between my fingers.  And the treatment for scabies  doesn't seem to be
working.  After reading about you others with the same thing, I'm sad.  I was hoping my dermatologist tomorrow would have some ideas and get this cured!  Now I fear living with it for the rest of my life.  Can't be on steroids for
long, and they really don't help anyway!    
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Avatar universal
What type of detergent is your mother using at home?
I assume when you visit her for an extended period of time that you do laundry with that detergent as well?

I have the same exact symptoms as both you and your mother.
The cause is a reaction to Tide 2X Ultra detergent.
If you mother is using Tide 2X Ultra, I bet it is the detergent or similar concentrated product laundry product.
Check out these "suppressed" threads from Tide's website for additional info:

http://74.6.239.67/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=allergic+reaction+to+tide+detergent&fr=yfp-t-305&rs=0&u=www.tide.com/en_US/messageboard/readthread.jsp%3FconnectionID%3D600681&w=allergic+reaction+reactions+tide+detergent+detergents&d=Z5-PSULURyvY&icp=1&.intl=us

http://64.233.169.132/search?q=cache:bRZSevWCupQJ:tide.com/en_US/messageboard/readthread.jsp%3FconnectionID%3D600600+allergic+reactions+to+tide&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=us
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Avatar universal
Before the itch began on the arms did you ever have burning sensation on your arms, as if your arms were on fire?  I was asking for my mother.  She has the same symptoms as yours.  However, before her 'itch' began, her skin began to develop sores and burn and sting.  Her skin on her arms would also easily tear if she brushed up against anything.  Doctors had no idea of what the problem was or its cause.  Each doctor told her something different - it was eczema, it was allergy, it was reaction to medication (she is on a LOT of meds), it was dermatitis, exposure to the sun (she rarely ever goes out in the sun) etc.  None of the various shots, pills, creams or ointments provided any relief.  About a month and a half ago, she developed the 'itch'.  It's mostly on the arms, shoulders stomach and back.  
I live in one state and my m om lives in another.  I have been going back between my home and hers to care for her and my dad since last December.  I stay for a few months then come home for a few weeks, etc.  This last time, on my November visit, I too contracted this 'rash' and itching.  I waited until I came home this past weekend to go to my doctor.  He thinks it is scabies.  I'm skeptical.  I used the scabies cream but am still itching.  My mom is still itching.  I don't know what to think anymore.  
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Avatar universal
Update - convinced  my family doc to give scabies treatment, despite negative skin scrapings, and derms not thinking it looked like scabies.  I used Lindane twice, a week between applications, and am seeing much improvement. Many scabs remain, but they are healing, and no new rash has developed.  Smaller rash on back, stomach, arms and shoulders is nearly completely gone. Itching is much improved- no longer taking Atarax at night.  GOOD LUCK!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Update - convinced  my family doc to give scabies treatment, despite negative skin scrapings, and derms not thinking it looked like scabies.  I used Lindane twice, a week between applications, and am seeing much improvement. Many scabs remain, but they are healing, and no new rash has developed.  Smaller rash on back, stomach, arms and shoulders is nearly completely gone. Itching is much improved- no longer taking Atarax at night.  GOOD LUCK!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I need to know what this is - I am a 41 year old female, and could have practically copied your problem and pasted my name on it.  I have been to my General Practitioner twice, and two different Dermatologists.  Folliculitis and Dermititus are my diagnoses. Negative for scabies.  Had MRSA 9 years ago.  Mine started on my calves and has crept upward, now on back, shoulders, arms, legs, hips and stomach.  Going on three months.  All I do is scratch and itch.  I look like I have leprosy at this point.
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