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Dermatology  (Expert Forum)
 | 
Worried
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.

Worried

by Retsgt, Jun 14, 2005 12:00AM
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

by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jun 14, 2005 12:00AM
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
Member Comments (3)

by bimsix, Jun 24, 2005 12:00AM
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?

by bimsix, Jun 24, 2005 12:00AM
Sorry, I didn't read the instructions. Meant to post a new question.
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