I was deployed to Qatar in 2003 and here it is 2012 and I still get the same rash about once a year. I've had it again about 2 months ago and it started up again last week. My civilian doctor keeps prescribing Tetracycline and it works but the rash is recurring. I see this is an old post, have you had any luck with a diagnosis since this post. Recently, two other members of my unit went to Qatar and came back with the same rash, their doctor over there told them it was Tinea versicolor but my Doctor said it wasn't......
Me again. Was just doing some research on another thyroid issue and found some information that might be of interest to those of you with eczema and thyroid concerns. Look up Dermatitus herpetiformis. Any of you ever thought you might have Celiac Disease/gluten sensitivity? Sounds quite a bit like what you describe.
I have suffered with recurring hives since I was a teenager and was finally diagnosed with Hashimoto's when I was 29. I don't know if you are male or female, but my first hive attack occured when I started birth control pills. I had on and off problems with hives and angioedema (facial swelling) here and there even after starting the thyroid medication. These episodes were concurrent with hormonal changes due to pregnancy and birth control pills. I recently a few individuals who suggested using the brand name Synthroid instead of the generic Levothyroxine or Armour. (My doctors says Armour does not have a consistent dosage of hormone because it is an animal based medication.) My hives have gone away since I started Synthroid and so has my goiter. I know another hive sufferer who gained relief this way so I am hoping this is the answer I've been looking for all these years. Also, ask your doctor to adjust your medication so your thyroid function is in the upper range of normal. That might help too. I hope this helps you. PS Stay away from red wine, vinegar and other acidic foods. Check out ICUS--Urticaria Society website--very helpful
I also have eczema, I was born with it behind my ear and have been dealing with it my entire life. i've had it mostly around my waistline and pelvic region. recently i've had breakouts in my inner-ear canal and across my ear drum. this causes extreme swelling and excrutiating pain, doctors do not want to admit it is eczema and they try to convince me it is an outer ear infection (swimmers ear). i guess they hate it when you already know whats wrong with you... they give me an otic suspension of a steroid that takes it away for a few months before it re-occurs. I'm in the Air Force and was recently deployed to Qatar. here i developed a strange rash on my face and the side of my head that i thought at first was razor burn. it has since spread and looks similar to acne, it is extremely itchy and scaly like eczema but it doesn't smell the same (eczema has a distict smell, any one that suffers with it knows what it smells like) the rash started out as what appeared to be a bug bite (a white dot surrounded by a hive) after a day or so it turned into a clear tiny pimple and when i scratched it open it spread into a patch. since i shave my head and face i assumed it was razor burn but it continues to spread. i've used cortizone 10 to control the itching but it has since formed a scaly layer over the infected area. like i said before though, it doesn't smell like eczema and it didn't appear symptomatically like the average eczema breakout. i was wondering if anyone could tell me what it might be?
I have always had escema, since childhood and was dx with hasimotos 3 yrs ago, the last year my escema has gotten worse including having in on my face when I never had it there ever. My endo thought there could be some relation but didnt pursue it I am scheduled to see a dermatologist in January and cant wait this itching is driving me crazy. I hope to have some relief.
It's very interesting to read this, as I was recently told I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. I asked the doc about the "excema" I've had around my eye area for nearly 3 years; after having changed all of my products, etc, I asked if this could be systemic with my hypothyroid issue and he said, "perhaps", which was inconclusive to me. Reading about you, I'm thinking it could certainly be related. I'm interested in anyone else?
If your rash looks kind of like a butterfly across your face across the bridge of your nose, I would see a Rheumatologist and ask them to check for Lupus, or if you could be having an allergic reaction to something you can't pinpoint yet. Hope this helps!
Pietiangel