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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Painful rash on stomach, back again? Freaking out!
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
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Painful rash on stomach, back again? Freaking out!
by dolly718, Jun 08, 2009 09:49PM
Hi Doctor,
I am a 20 year old female. I have never had any significant skin problems, not even acne. Recently I had the following problem which I was told wasn't even that serious, so here goes.
A couple of months ago I had a small, slightly painful pink rash on my stomach. It was only on the right side [about an inch away from my navel] and was about the size of a quarter. Later that month, I began getting red spots that spread out over my chest, stomach, and arms. They were sparse, looked almost like chicken pox [which I already had when I was 4.]. I went to the dermatologist who told me I had a benign and highly common skin virus [I can't remember the name, sounded like psoriosis (psoriasis)] that would go away soon. He also suggested that it could be syphilis [I was scared, went to my gyno who started laughing, said that was ridiculous and after an exam, concluded that I didn't have that]. I waited it out and the rash went away. But now that familiar pain has returned to my stomach in the exact same location however there is no rash this time, just the tingling, slightly numb pain. This is how it was the first time, I felt it before I saw it. My doctor said it was a really common virus especially in young people but never mentioned it being reoccurring! I'm starting to get really scared that this means something is wrong with my immune system or something.
Also I currently have tonsillitis [which I have gotten several times this year], on antibiotics and I have been experiencing a lot of symptoms. Could my currently weakened immune system be responsible for this?
I should also mention that the first time I had this virus, I was living under very poor conditions in a very small, dirty apartment. I was sick constantly because my immune system was so compromised by my living conditions. This was the first time I got this rash, tonsillitis, etc. Could this experience have damaged me in some way?
Any help is greatly appreciated!
I am a 20 year old female. I have never had any significant skin problems, not even acne. Recently I had the following problem which I was told wasn't even that serious, so here goes.
A couple of months ago I had a small, slightly painful pink rash on my stomach. It was only on the right side [about an inch away from my navel] and was about the size of a quarter. Later that month, I began getting red spots that spread out over my chest, stomach, and arms. They were sparse, looked almost like chicken pox [which I already had when I was 4.]. I went to the dermatologist who told me I had a benign and highly common skin virus [I can't remember the name, sounded like psoriosis (psoriasis)] that would go away soon. He also suggested that it could be syphilis [I was scared, went to my gyno who started laughing, said that was ridiculous and after an exam, concluded that I didn't have that]. I waited it out and the rash went away. But now that familiar pain has returned to my stomach in the exact same location however there is no rash this time, just the tingling, slightly numb pain. This is how it was the first time, I felt it before I saw it. My doctor said it was a really common virus especially in young people but never mentioned it being reoccurring! I'm starting to get really scared that this means something is wrong with my immune system or something.
Also I currently have tonsillitis [which I have gotten several times this year], on antibiotics and I have been experiencing a lot of symptoms. Could my currently weakened immune system be responsible for this?
I should also mention that the first time I had this virus, I was living under very poor conditions in a very small, dirty apartment. I was sick constantly because my immune system was so compromised by my living conditions. This was the first time I got this rash, tonsillitis, etc. Could this experience have damaged me in some way?
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jun 08, 2009 10:01PM
, Jun 08, 2009 10:01PMTo: dolly718
I think the first doctor diagnosed pityriasis rosea, which is sometimes caused by a virus, and looks a little like syphilis, so some doctors get blood tests to be sure. (Of course, it isn't an STD.) I have no idea what your stomach pain is, except that it has nothing to do with your skin. Perhaps it's anxiety that you have some other problem. Pityriasis has nothing to do with weakened immune systems. I think it's highly unlikely that you're damaged in any way. I suggest you contact the dermatologist to confirm my hunch that he diagnosed pityriasis, and that you see your general doctor about the stomach pain, explaining that your previous skin rash has nothing to do with it. If you learn that you're OK--and you will--then I would forget the whole thing, because you only get pityriasis once, and in any case, pityriasis doesn't cause pain or internal issues.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Yes! That's what he called it! I never actually got a blood test for syphilis by the way, my gyno said it was unnecessary since I had no other physical/vaginal symptoms. The thing is, my stomach doesn't hurt, it's the skin on my stomach, right where the rash would be. It feels exactly like when the pityriasis rosea appeared the first time, what could it be? It just feels like hypersensative skin, I don't know if I'm making sense...