What?

I am a 70 yr. old female, and this condition started approx. 13 to 14 years ago. It seems to begin with a tiny pimple that itche intensely, then enlarges.  There is a hard bump under each.  I seem to have about 12 of them at present, some so close to others that it seems almost like 1 solid mass. They itch so intensely at times that I can't keep from touching them.  Seems several times daily I remove dried skin, and seems to releive them somewhat  Over the years many Drs. (including at least 4 dermatologists) have looked at them, but have no answers.  Have prescribed medication that did absolutely no good.  Also have had a biopsy. which showed nothing..It seems that the itching is getting worse, and at times the area looks almost purple.  On top of that, sometimes it just plain hurts and burns, at times almost throbbing. I've looked in many books and read all I could, but can't find anything like this. Will I have it rest of my life. Do not wear dresses because it is so unsightly..I don't know what else to try to relieve it.  Have trid all kinds of skin creams and lotions.  Also pine tar soap. Nothing! Help...Shirley  Fischer

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Shirley:

I'm afraid I have no decisive answers for you either.  You don't mention which part of the body your lumps congregate on.  I often see patients who have bumps which have been aggravated by scratching and picking, but I never get to see what if anything prompted the picking, because they cannot leave the area alone long enough.

My advice to you his to cover the spots with bandage and leave them alone for three months.  I have no illusions about the difficulty of this recommendation, but I predict that if you are able to follow it, you will see the spots go away.  Unless you leave the spots alone, I am equally sure that they will never go away.

There is no skin disease, and no skin infection which produces the symptoms you described.  That is why biopsies are not revealing; there is nothing to find a scar tissue from picking.

Good luck to you.  I'm sorry I cannot add anything more.

Dr. R

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Shirley:

I'm afraid I have no decisive answers for you either.  You don't mention which part of the body your lumps congregate on.  I often see patients who have bumps which have been aggravated by scratching and picking, but I never get to see what if anything prompted the picking, because they cannot leave the area alone long enough.

My advice to you his to cover the spots with bandage and leave them alone for three months.  I have no illusions about the difficulty of this recommendation, but I predict that if you are able to follow it, you will see the spots go away.  Unless you leave the spots alone, I am equally sure that they will never go away.

There is no skin disease, and no skin infection which produces the symptoms you described.  That is why biopsies are not revealing; there is nothing to find a scar tissue from picking.

Good luck to you.  I'm sorry I cannot add anything more.

Dr. R

[shirley]

Thank you for the advice.  The spots are on my right leg, between knee and ankle (front) Yes, it is very hard NOT to pick at them , but I'll certainly try.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Ask a dermatologist to prescribe Cordran tape.  Leave that on overnight for several week,s and I bet you'll get a lot better, faster.

Dr. R