Worried

Over the holidays had severe weight loss, insomnia, diareha,fevers, nightsweats, and now have a hard nodule growing over my right knee cap. HIV negative. Most severe symptom is very prickly skin, worse at night, but covers entire body. Do not have a rash. Have been to PCP( primary care provider) CBCs are normal. RBCs a little high, but nothing too far out.
Skin Lymphoma? IBS? I am HLA B27 positve. ESR..1 Candida ..neg
EBV values are off the chart,( high)  but doc said most peopels are.

Thank you

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

This sounds like a serious group of symptoms, but it's not one that as a dermatologist I can offer insight into.  In fact, I don't really know what you mean by "very prickly skin, worse at night," especially when you add, "Do not have a rash."  It sounds as though you need a full workup, which may include radiologic evaluation of the knee nodule and possible biopsy.  If there's anything to see on the skin, a dermatologist may be of help too.  Your PCP is the one who should direct this evaluation.  Sorry I have no more to add.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[bimsix]

About 7 months ago, I was bitten by a spider on my upper arm. I applied the usual home remedies, benedryl, triple biotic salve, rubbing alcohol. After the bite began to inflame, small bumps formed around it. It eventually went away leaving only a small shadow of where it was.  Now, the bite area has become a pink color again.  At my doctor's last week, he said it was cancer because of the irregular pattern. It's about 3/4' by 3/8".  He wants to cut a biopsy out of it. I got a second opinion from my dermatologist and he didn't think it was cancer and prescribed some Cutivate Cream (fluticasone propionate 0.05%). I have been applying it for 3 days now and the area doesn't seem to have changed much. Do spider bites
turn into cancer?

[bimsix]

Sorry, I didn't read the instructions. Meant to post a new question.