family of three itches

I am a 20 yaer old mom of an almost 3 year old and my question is this, he recently came home with a horrible rash of red, white bumps on his elbows, hands, knees, legs, and feet and hands! *his feet and hands are raw and the worse* mine as well! well i have EXTREMELY itchy skin it's so unbearable we can't sleep! i took him to a dermatologist who said it was eczama but i fear its not because we also have it and i told him that! it's not hivey looking its our skin red and very itchy and scabby from itching! i have no where else to turn and am struggling to find answers our help!!  please any advice

[ejwilson]

If I have this right.. you, your husband and 3 yr. old all have this same rash, red, itchy and is scabbing from scratching so much.
I have a few questions before I can attempt in helping.  
Where was your son? Coming home from where?
Was he in contact with other children, dogs, cats or anyone else who is also itching?
Do you have pets in your home?
Does this rash have any pattern?
Have you changed soap, laundry detergent, used carpet fresh or any thing like that?
I'm trying to think of anything that can effect all three of you.

When I read both your post, my first thought was scabies, a tiny mite that burrows under the skin. Causing intense itching that is worse at night and scabbing because it's so itchy.
The incubation period (time from infestation until itching begins) is about 1 month, with a range of 2-6 weeks.  In patients who have been exposed to the mite before ( prior episodes of scabies), itching can begin within 48-72 hours after infestation. But if you had this before you wouldn't forget it.
Please if you can send answers to above questions I can possibly be of more help.
Take Care
" E "

[supermommy0415]

well the dermatologist doesn't think its scabies! because there's no ***** goob or nasty
my skin is really dry and tends to white powder when i itch
and my son itches so bad it raw on his hands
we've had it for months now
and i live with my mom and NO ONE else has it and i'm around 10 people or more who come in and out
i'm not sure what he comes in contact to at his real dad's house
and no i haven't changed any soaps or anything!
could it be mental! i mean i stress a lot and so does my fiance!?
and his be that too?????

[supermommy0415]

well the dermatologist doesn't think its scabies! because there's no ***** goob or nasty
my skin is really dry and tends to white powder when i itch
and my son itches so bad it raw on his hands
we've had it for months now
and i live with my mom and NO ONE else has it and i'm around 10 people or more who come in and out
i'm not sure what he comes in contact to at his real dad's house
and no i haven't changed any soaps or anything!
could it be mental! i mean i stress a lot and so does my fiance!?
and his be that too?????
IF it is scabies how can we get rid of it and make sure we get rid of it
but i mean it really is just us three and i'm holding babies hugging people constantly around people and no one else has it :(

[ejwilson]

Hi supermommy0415

Itching can be caused by many conditions. Probably the most common cause of itch is psychological, that is, due to stress, anxiety, etc. Stress also can aggravate itch from other causes. I would think it could be mental or psychological if only one of you had the itch.  But because three of you do have it and the three of you spend the most time around each other in close contact, just makes it seem like more of a contagious
form. If the Dr. looked at it when it first started then maybe he didn't see the signs of scabies present and ruled it out. Did he take a swab or scrape the area and look at it under a scope or just looked at the rash? In case he didn't do a sample Here's a  test that you can do at home. Maybe this can help put your minds at ease.

First, look carefully for fresh itchy bumps or thin squiggly lines (burrows) in the skin, especially at hands, inner wrists, finger webs, elbows, armpits, ankles, feet, diaper area, belt-line, and abdomen. Infants and young children can get scabies on their face, scalp, and neck, unlike older people. A magnifying glass and bright light can help.
Take a dark washable wide-tip marker, and rub it around the suspicious bumps or burrows. Then take an alcohol wipe or alcohol-soaked gauze and wipe away the ink. If there's a scabies burrow under the skin, the ink often remains, showing you a dark irregular line. Occasionally a tiny dark dot is visible at the end of the burrow - that's the mite.

If it is scabies then you will need a prescription for  Permethrin Topical Cream.
BRAND NAME: Elimite or Acticin Cream.
But if your sons hands are raw I'd take him backto the Dr. first before doing any kind of treatment
You will likely continue to itch for days to weeks after having successfully killed the mites. This itching is caused by an ongoing allergic reaction to the mite bites. Your doctor may recommend antihistamines (such as Benadryl), steroid creams, and, in severe cases, steroid pills to help relieve itching. The allergic reaction will usually disappear gradually.

If it shows not to be scabies and is a form of dermatitis; check out this site below and maybe you may see a familiar description that rings a bell. The only thing else I can suggest is to see a different Dr., all three of you and have him take a sample to see if its bacterial or fungus. You can't keep going without sleep and have this itching drive you crazy. Take care.  Let me know how this turns out, please.  I'm sorry there's not more I can do.

Sincerely " E "

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dermatitis-eczema/DS00339/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
Dermatitis: Treatments and drugs - MayoClinic.com