Need a diagnosis

[mamamichelle]

We have a strange rash that is hereditary in my family. It is a very itchy rash on the front of the lower leg, one or both legs. I have a mild case by my older sister and my daughter have a more severe case. The rash is contained in an area between the knee and ankle about 5 inches in length. It flares up like blisters and have tiny white modules inside the blister. My daughters will actually ooze a liquid but mine do not. We all have pits and/or dents in our fingernails. My daughter and sister all have very bad gastrointestinal issues, stomach aches, diahreaa etc, and they get sick easily.  My daughter is having biopsys done on her shin and so far they are having trouble figuring out what her rash is.  Her recent biopsy has been sent to Stanford for review. I know she is being checked for lupus but would have thought they would find it by now.  Have you ever heard of this? The dermo and pathologist are stumped so far. Any advice would be very helpful. My daughter can not wear shorts because the rash is so bad. She even wraps her leg when sleeping to try to stop herself from itching it all night. Also, my daughter and I suffer from migraines, mine with aura.

Thanks

[Stephiegoil]

Hi my name is Stephanie and I also suffer from a rash that is mostly on my shins but can flare up and cover 90% of my body!  I have suffered from this rash since my first pregnancy and it went undiagnosed for 5 years.  About 2 years ago I discoverd that my rash would get worse about the 3rd week of my birth control pack.  So I went to yet again another dermatologist for another oppinion.  He diagnosed me with autoimmune progesterone dermatitis (APD).  Finally I had a name to put to all the itching and scars!

The fact that you, your daughter and your sister have the same rash and that you are all women makes me wonder if you have the same thing.  In affected women, it occurs 3-10 days prior to the onset of menstrual flow, and resolves 2 days into menses.  But for those of us who can't stop itching it can occur longer.  

One peice of advice, do not let them give you steroids!  I noticed that predisone or any other steroid, gave me temporary relief while it was in my system, but coming off the steroids intensified the rash!  It took me two years of steroid treatments to figure that out.   Steroids are not worth it and in the long run they are bad for you!  Right now the only thing that brings me relief is noxema!  It cools down the itching and brings some relief.  Aveeno also makes a lotion that has menthol in it.

Your poor daughter!  I to find myself itching at night while I sleep.  Because of it I suffer from fatigue.  I was sent to a sleep disorder doc and clinic because they thought I had sleep apnea.  After being observed all night long they discovered that I woke up itching over 10 times that night.  At one point I do remember waking up with my leg up in the air scratching like crazy....kind of funny and really embarassing!

I too suffer from migrains and experienced aura for the first time when the rash started.  I never put those two together but now I wonder if they are related!  Do you have problems with vertigo? I still think my vertigo is hormone related but all the Dr.'s think I am nuts!

I hope that I have helped in some way!  Please keep me posted on the out come of your search for an answer!  Until then I will keep you and your family in my prayers!

Stephiegoil (one itchy Mama)

[want2bik1]

When you mention stomach problems I am reminded of the good bacteria that we need for good digestion of our food.  Do you take probiotics which give the body the good bacteria it needs.  Food like yogard has these probiotics in them but you can also get supplements at a health store.  You might want to google "Oil Pulling" which is a Indian folk remedy for removing bacteria from the body.  I use a few drops of Oregano Oil in my oil.  Oregano oil has very good anti bacterial properties.  If you have the bad bacteria in your body that is something you might want to try.