Severe rashes from contaminated loofah

Hi:

I have a severe allergic reaction from a wet loofah. Within a few days it has spread like mad down my arms and legs. The itching was so unbearable that I wasn't able to get a min of sleep for days. I went to the doctor on the fourth day and was prescribed 30 mg of Prednisone for 7 days. It has helped somewhat but at night once the meds wear off, I am back to intense itching and no sleep. I am on my 3rd day today. Today I am starting to take 10mg at a time 3 times a day..hoping that it will help me during the night if I spread it out. I can't drink or eat anything warm/hot, wear anything over the rashes or cover up at night b/c any heat will cause the itching to get more intense. And I am always cold so this is difficult. My question is, do I give it a few more days for the Prednisone to work or should I go back to the doctor and get something stronger. Also, will the scaring last long? I am scratching b/c the itching is too unbearable.

Thanks.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

If the prednisone hasn't helped by tomorrow, you should see or call your doctor.  I very much doubt this is from a wet loofah.  You may well have hives, which itch like crazy, come for no reason, and go away in most cases before too long.  Hives and similar rashes do not scar, because they affect the upper skin layer, the epidermis.  Try taking Benadryl 25 milligrams (over-the-counter) this evening while you wait to call.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[arbindo]

I am not so sure about this being allergy to the loofah sponge. This could be what is known as 'hot tub folliculitis' and a contaminated loofah sponge is a recognised cause. If so, then the causative agent is pseudomonas sp.It is self limiting, taking about 2 weeks (meaning only sedative antihistamines are needed, ciprofloxacin is used in severe cases. Prednisolone is definitely contraindicated here but you will ofcourse need to confirm this- see a dermatologist.

[cv75]

Thanks for the comments. I have tried benedryl and it does not help at all. I do think it is from the loofah b/c only the areas I used the loofah on are infected. It seems to be the worst at night.

I will try to see a dermatologist tomorrow.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Hot tub folliculitis does not itch.

Dr. Rockoff

[cv75]

DR. R:

Do you have a dermatologist at MGH you can refer me to? Mine retired recently.

Much thanks.

[arbindo]

Hot-tub folliculitis does indeed itch.
ref- 1.Habif pg.260 3rd ed.
     2.e-medicine-dermatology. pseudomonas folliculitis.
However it can be difficult to make a diagnosis even without a picture or at least an accurate description of the morphology,distribution,arrangement of the lesions as dermatology is a visual discipline.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

cv75:

Arthur Sober, M.D.

Dr. Rockoff