Rash everywhere and WEEPING scalp-Oh Dear!!!

[way]

Hello all- so sorry for the gross post.

Broke out in hives,shingles,chicken pox or something about three weeks ago and went crazy itching, and in addition the other RIBA RASH everywhere except lower legs. Missed 4 days work.

I have been to three doctors in the last week and a half. I was just in to GI Friday for my monthly, and blood looks good but enzymes are up.

The PCP refered to a derm on my plan that could take me two days later...And wouldn't ya know it--it was one of those laser center cosmotology geeks. He gave me the standard hand-out about fragrance free everything, no dryer sheets of softener. And wrote me two Rx's (at my sugestion) one for aterax and some cream--desoximetasone 0.25%. He didn't address my scalp issue and I was so brain dead and itching like madd I forgot to do more than just mention it, I guess it wasn't exerbated at the time.

I will get another referal Monday to a better derm. Are they ALL concentrated on the laser surgery and cosmetic enhancement or do some still deal with actual skin problems??

I have been putting a wash cloth on head with scarf over and it's soaking through, and putting a towel on pillow (soaking through) and actually wetting the pillow. So now I'll have to get a vinyl pillow cover, until I can control this.

Using a T-sal shampoo, with salicyclic acid and also nioxen to clean out the excreations which are making hair real stiff and scalp really hurts. Hair coming out big time trying to get this off me.

Using gold bond for skin but burns some areas so have to use different products, milder.

Suggestions

[dyce]

Ha dude, sleep we gotta have. Can't make a horse plow all day without givin it some barn time off. I was too reluctant to use the ambiem but after a hour or 2 of sleep a nite for the 1st 6 weeks of tx the dyce couldn't take it nooo more!!! We're construction and mait. workers , we gotta sleep!

  Do what ya gotta do my friend to get thru, may all the post tx sx's pass, and God bless!!

[GoofyDad]

just hope I'm not the inverse of what youre talking about, big brains and small breasts

I know of a test for that......

[Forseegood]

really good to see you here, hope you post more, I always enjoy your posts... and take whatever to get some sleep!!!

[beamishboy]

and very good on the grill!..i rem ol fred flintstone was fond of rack of ribs-YAAbaa Daba Doo !!!

[Forseegood]

funny, funny stuff...just hope I'm not the inverse of what youre talking about, big brains and small breasts, or big head, small breasts and small brains cause....that sounds like a Brontosaurus, talk about a dumb animal..he he he...

[stangshelly]

i had the rash really bad, still have it but its dealable. i styou can rinse it stopped all caffeine, hydrocortizone cream, do not shower everyday drys skin out,same with hair rinse with cool water then add a little conditoner, wash everyother day and helps with not losing it so much now. i take babyoil baths every couple days and also use babylotion plus aloe all the time. my rash is much better, it was so bad before i was losing my eyebrows! ..benadryl..always..helps  good luck :)

[NYgirl]

Just reread your post and I have to say...I can't imagine how you are dealing with all of that.

[NYgirl]

PLEASE...YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE TO USE A GOOD LOTION AT LEAST TWICE A DAY ON ALL OF YOUR SKIN and it will help get rid of the rash.

The rash is caused by the Ribavirin and that is why we call it RibaRash.  It's one of the worst most annoying things in the world.

The thing that completely and totally stopped it for me was using GOLD BOND TRIPLE THREAT ANTI ITCH MEDICATED lotion (Green Bottle, Red Top).  I had the rash BAD and nothing really got rid of it until I tried that.

Then many of the members in here used it and had the SAME results.

You HAVE to keep your skin completely and totally hydrated at all times and it WILL clear up.

In the meantime avoid blow drying and harsh chemicals on your scalp as well.  Try to really keep your skin/head moisturized and it should go away in a few days.

You should SEE the scars I have from before I found the Gold Bond worked...they are dreadful.

[dyce]

Sassy foresee but a long way from fit LOL.

[way]

YES I stay out of the sun just go to the mailbox and take out the trash etc. Less than 30 second outside. I also seem to be reacting to heat (at work)sweat probably toxic.

I hate to say (gross) but the stuff exuding from scalp really smells bad. I've read that some people say they can smell the riba in their sweat etc, I wonder if thats what this awfull smell is?? Sorry I know gross. Sorry sorry.

[jmjm530]

"Flaking and red" could be Seborrhoeic Dermatitis. I had it pretty bad and still have an occasional flare. Try doing a search on the NZ website referenced above and see if that's what you might have. Of course, confirm with a dermatologist.

If that's it, just about anything other than a corticoid will irritate it so the protocol is first calm it down with topical steroids and then maintain with perhaps a topical immunospurresant like Elidel Cream and finally with moisturizers.One protocol for seb derm is Ketoconazole cream but it irritated the h*ll out of my skin. Good rule of thumb with the skin is that if something is making things worse, stop it. Sounds simple enough, but it took me a while to figure that out.  

Not sure about Caladryl but if it doesn't work defintely ask your doctor about the Olux Foam. Strong stuff and it should knock the seb derm down and stop the itching within a week. Scratching is bad and some suggest rubbing with an ice cube. I also cut my nails very short.

Good luck !

-- Jim

[beamishboy]

Way- o.k. i schlepped to upstairs bathrm and back( whew,let me catch my breathe..i'm kidding...) i use MillCreek botanicals- www.millcreekusa.com-it contains aloe,panthenol,chamomile,vit E & lots of natural/organic stuff....-GOODLUCK-

[way]

Asked the doc for topical steroid cream, and he said no-would thin the skin and rx desoximetasone 0.25%. (havent googled that yet) This really helps the ear and dryer cracking areas- but it's so greasy--so I don't use it all over probably should but can't stand to be putting anything on that doesn't soak in.

[Forseegood]

Hey, nothing HUMAN is gross to me, only human...what's gross to me is political ineptitude and cruelty of all kinds, but that's a different matter...hope you can get a beat on this and be feeling better soon...

I actually have been copying Jim's skin posts and Pigionica's blood sugar posts for future reference...hey, make this board work for you instead of against, right? be well...

[jmjm530]

Forsee: I actually have been copying Jim's skin posts
---------------------------------
Did you catch the one where I use topical Uni for riba rash. LOL.
Hope this finds you well.

-- Jim

[way]

Thanks for all your suggestion and product names and website. I will kepp them and see another derm-- I think the caladryl is working no itchy itchy

[way]

Yes I save everything that works for others even if I don't have that problem (yet) or so I can give to others.

Like Nygirls mouthsore cure--equal parts of malox and children liquid benedryl ...

[Forseegood]

wow, right on the riba rash? your pals must think, boy, that Jim is one scintillating conversationalist, but man, he smells like Santa Monica pier at high tide...let's go get some sushi huh?

[Forseegood]

Hey, actually DRINKING aloe vera juice is really good for protecting the skin as well, (maybe 4 oz a day along with some fruit juice and water cocktail) along with many other benefits...but I've only said that what, 80 times?? ha ha, just hope it helps someone...

[dyce]

Foresee, I've actually been copyin jims post.

  Foresee, did ya get the 1 where jim use's crushed riba ta season his cheeseburgers! LOL.

[way]

Thanx for goin upstairs for me-- hey why can't you "beam up" there.lol

[jmjm530]

Ya' mean the "Angry Burger" platter :)

[dyce]

Ya jim, the way ta really temper a burger!!!

[Forseegood]

Hey Dyce, youre seeming fit and sassy, hope this means youre feeling better...I don't want to even conjure up what an angry burger means...before or after...