Skin issues 5 months post tx

[Tippyclubb]

Hi everyone I have posted a picture of what seems to be rashes on my arms.  Did anyone else have this, and if so what is it?  

I had PCT right after tx but my iron level is down now, so its not thats.  These rashes itch a lot and do not scar.  Its similar to the Riba rash I had.

[GSDgirl]

Tippy, that is exactly what every bump that I scratched looked like.  They look deep like mine did.  Mine left small scars on my arms.  And I think it took a few months after the phlebotomies before my skin issues subsided but I will say that I still scar easily.  Good Luck

Denise

[Tippyclubb]

Thanks everyone. I can rule out shingles, and poison ivy because I am familiar with both.  This is different and appears to be Dermatitis according to the pictures in the link portann provided.  Go figure its a autoimmune disease and difficult to treat.

This has been going on for months but the hematologist and dermatologist said it was PCT so I didn't pay much attention to it, figuring it would go away after the phlebotomies.  The blisters and sores have, but this hasn't.   Looks like more trips to the dermatologist.  All I know is I had no skin issues before tx.

[Isobella]

I had a rash post tx also.  Although it was closer to EOT that where you are.  

I had the same red dots, but the skin between dots and in surrounding area was red as well (lighter red, tho)  Odd thing, this rash appeared on both sides.  On each arm, below armpit, inner arm.  On both legs, under hipbone area.  and on both arms between wrist and elbow.  And on both sides of my neck--like those hickey things we joked about during tx.  

I used Desonide Ointment  and lotion 0.05%.  My derma also told me to continue atarax 10 mg before bed.  The initial thought was that I had stopped the atarax too soon??

Good luck, Tippy.

I hope you feel better soon'

Isobella

[portann]

Hi Tippy,

I can't remember if you've already tried posting in the dermatology medhelp forums.

Here's the MH expert dermatology one:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Dermatology/show/115

Here's the MH dermatology community:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Dermatology/show/65

Have you gone back to see your dermatologist yet?

There are 54 explanations for itchy rash here:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rashes.html#cat45

I tried looking for a similar picture to yours in the endless online images of skin conditions but the one I first picked didn't seem likely. Have a look, if you have time, and see if you can find a match.

Here another photo site, though I haven't found one I find easy to use. Maybe someone in the MedHelp dermatology community knows which one is the most useful:

http://www.dermnet.com/Atopic-Dermatitis-Adult-Phase/photos/1

Hubby got a severe case of poison ivy two weeks ago (weeding oh so sweet bro's garden), so I feel for you. It's hell for him and doesn't let up. He doesn't have any skin left and nothing stops him from scratching, not sleep or anything. He's in misery and would rather have been bitten alive by mosquitoes. You two would look funny in the same room.

[Marcia2202]

I agree it looks like shingles. But you would also feel awful. My hubby had shingles a while ago and he felt like fire was running all through the side of his body the rash was on. he was actually ill for almost a month, if I remember correctly.

[medicmommy]

Hello,
These appear to be similar to shingles except the vesicles are larger...Have you ever had chicken pox? If you know how, feel the lymph nodes in your upper arms or armpits. Are they swollen or sore? There are a few other conditions which can cause this sort of thing -contact or food allergies and such...the worst being elevated liver enzymes and kidney disease...If you feel well, this probably isn't it. Staph infections can show like this also...If you haven't, it should be looked at by a Dr. It could be contagious to others when it has open areas...~MM