Persistent Rash

[pjp]

I have never had a rash of any kind but in April 1999, I developed a rash that appeared as small red spots and it has pretty much been on every part of my body from the ankles to the top of my head. The rash is concentrated in groups that itch like crazy, especially when it's hot and in the evening. I also have had swollen lymph glands on the back of my neck and behind the ears.

I have been to 4 different doctors and a veterinarian (for the animals, of course).

The first doctor, a GP, treated me for possible allergies with Zyrtec and a antibiotic with no results she also did blood tests that showed nothing unusual.

The second, an allergy specialist, diagnosed it as scabies and prescribed elimite along with the thorough laundry and house cleaning procedures. After 2 applications of elimite there was no difference, as a matter of fact it seemed to make it worse.

The third, a dermatologist, said that it was definitely not scabies because the rash was on my head but not between my fingers. His diagnosis was Folliculitus (folliculitis) and Papular Eczema and prescribed topical creams, with no results.

The Fourth, a dermatologist, concurred that it was not scabies again because of the pattern and location but was stumped saying he had never seen anything like it. He did a biopsy on one of the sites and the results showed it to be an "Arthropod bite" but the test could not be more specific. His recommendation was to have the animals checked for ear mites and cheyletialla (the Vet. gave them a clean bill of health), have the house sprayed for mites which I did as well as treating the carpet drapes, etc. for dust mites along with the thorough laundry and house cleaning procedures. He also gave me an injection of betamethasone and triamcinolone which reduced the inflamation (inflammation) and itching for a short time but the rash never went away. He also prescribed topical creams with no results.

I am at witts end and I am starting to wonder whether this is caused by stress or psychological factors but for the fact that my roomate has the same symptoms but not as severe. Can you help me?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

PJP:

First of all, I agree with both dermatologists that scabies is out of the question.  Second, a biopsy report of "arthropod bites" is misleading, because nondescript inflammation often looks to the pathologist like insect bites.  Pathology is only meaningful if it correlates with your clinical picture, which bites certainly do not.

Obviously, it would be foolish of me to say that I have the answer when meticulous observers who saw and biopsied it do not.  It sounds like an inflammatory condition, rather than an infectious or allergic one.

I would treat the symptoms as best you can--OTC Sarana lotion as needed for itch, topical moiturizers like Lubriderm, oral antihistamines like chlor-trimeton 4 mg 1-3 times a day.  I would also get another opinion, even if it's just for reassurance that nothing is being missed.  I can't think of what, though.

Sorry I can't be more specific.

Please let me know how you do.

best.

Dr. R

[KBB]

I along with PJP am going through a really rough rash..... Only my whole family is now getting it as well.  I have a 6 month old who is getting the rash.  It started with her on her feet, red dots that cracked her skin.  Her ped rx'd an antibiotic cream.  It takes away the redness but no such luck with the itchiness.  My three year old gets this rash on and off.  My Husband was the first to get this rash.  He has since cleared up, now however it is comming back.  Me, I feel like I need to be checked in to a psych hospital if this itching continues.  I have two small ones I cant keep living on Benadryl.  
My three year old and I have been tested for scabies, both of us negative.  We still did the scabicide treatment.  Please for the love of God help.....
We all have appointments in one week.  If you have any ideas - please, help....
kbb

[mjl]

I have recently come down with a sever rash.  Only once before had I one similar.  (it was cured by prayer and I never saw a doctor)  Unfortunately I cannot afford to see a doctor just now as I can only afford insurance for my daughter, and Pat Robertson is not on TV before I leave for work.

One red itchy bump started about 2 weeks ago on back of my neck.  I thought it was nothing.  By the time I drove home, it was multiplied ten fold and chasing down my back.  It took only a few days to cross my middriff and now goes down my flanks, stomach and is beginning on one leg.  I even have a red irregular shaped spot on my foot.  They itch terribly.  They are red and some are irregular shaped, and have a patchy texture and light brown discoloration to them.  Others appear as if it was simply heat rash. Astringents seem to alleviate itching temporarily.

I am allergic to nothing.  My stress levels have been very high the past several months, but that is nothing new for a single mom.  My worry is this may be contagious.  I don't want my daughter getting this.  Secondary worry is stress on heart muscles caused by some inflamatory conditions.  

Is there any way to know if this is an extremely threatening condition?  How do I see a doctor without insurance and avoid going through the expensive referral system?  If it costs me $100 to see a specialist, fine.  But I cannot afford to run the usual "doctor gammit" referral game.  

I thank you for any help.  My concerns are increasing.

[alberta]

I have a rash on my lower legs on my elbow,and on my back it started around 3 years ago I have seen doctors and they prescribe exspensive medicine such as fluocinonide 0.05% ointment this started on one lower leg and slowly has spread to these other parts. It itches like crazy. and is spreading at a faster pace than it used to  thanks !

[bnc]

So, what is this itchy rash that gets better and worse no
matter what I do; I, too, have the slight discoloration from some of the patches.  I was told by one dermatologist that it is just dry skin; by another eczema; be another, not sure but all gave me an ointment.  Fluocinonide helps a little but not much really.  I have tried all kinds of lotions.  I have it in my scalp again now and it really does drive me crazy.  Wish there were some answers.  I have a "mother node" that has been on my back for over 3 years.  I have changed makeup, shampoo, detergents, added shower filters, and on and on and on.
We itchy folks really do need some answers!!
Hope you can help!!

[tanya rist]

just like MJL my fiance has a similar rash.  It started out as a red bump on his neck which then turned into a flat oval shaped pattern that has worked it's way from his neck to his chest, stomach, back, and now is working it's way down his arms.  These things are a faint pink color and have the texture of scar tissue.  When he takes a shower they turn bright red and he says that is the only time they itch.  Is there anything we can do?  We don''t have enough money for a doctor and I want to make sure it is not something he could possibly get really sick or die from.
Thx bunches

[PAULINE MARCELINO]

I HAVE A RASH ON THE BOTTOCKS THAT HAS BEEN THERE FOR OVER A YEAR I HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL DOCTORS AND HAVE BEEN TREATED FOR YEAST, DERMATITIS,ANS SHOCK TREATMENT IHAVE A DRAWER FULL ON CREAMS AND NOTHING HAS TOUCHED IT. IT DOES NOT ITCH IT IS PAINFUL IN THAT AREA. I HAVE BEEN TO A ALLERGY DOCTOR, HE ALSO COULD FIND NOTHING. HE TESTED ME FOR LUPUS AS THIS WAS ACTIVE IN MY BODY 40 YEARS AGO.  ITT FELT LIKE  A BITE AND THEN THE RASH FOLLOWED.  ALL DOCTORS SAY IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG TO BE AN INSECT BITE AFTER SUCH A LONG TIME. PLEASE REFER ME TO SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP.  THANK YOU

[jwm]

why does this all sound so familiar? about five years ago
after coming home from the beach i noticed a small itchy
bump on the underside of my right arm. after a day or so it seemed to explode into a very large rash on both arms. i've
treated it with cortisone 10 which will control it and
eventually clear it up but about a week afterwards, it will
reappear, and usually be worse. a few years back i was dating
a girl that worked at a local hospital, and she said that at
one time she contracted scabies from her mother who was in
a nursing home, and that the rash looked just like her scabies.
she obtained some elimite lotion, which i used, it seemed to
clear up the rash, but two or so days later it reappeared.
recently i sought medical help, the first doctor i went to
said it was contact dermititis and prescribed a topical cream
that worked like fertilizer on it. i went back and was referred
to a dermitologist who said it was scabies. after the scabies
treatment, a skin scrape, and a biopsy (neither one showed any
evidence of scabies), i am still broken out. i went back twice,
and was given shots that lasted about a week that cleared it up
but it came back. i have gone back again, and now they are tell
ing me it is folliculitis and have presribed antibiotics that
so far are uneffective. so far i've seen four doctors, been
prescribed fluocionide, erythrocin 500mg, triamcinolon 0.1%,
dip/lot/garramycin, acticin 5% cream,(head to toe two weeks
apart), lindane ointment, and i wonder what is next?
i am a single white male in his thirties, heterosexual, and
am not dating and am not sexually active. i have no idea what
i have come in contact with, but would be interested in hear
ing from others.