Skin problems

I was reading some of the leg rash skin problems. Seems that people are mostly on treatment when it happens.  I am not on treatment yet but I have had a reddish purplish discoloration on my lower legs for a couple years.  Doesn't itch, sometimes warm to touch, sometimes swollen.  I also have a splotchy red looking rash on my upper arms. Doesn't have any symptoms.  When I get overheated (several times a day) the redness on my legs and arms get worse.  I have consulted a dermatologist.  They gave me something for a rash. The discoloration seems to be under the skin not  atop of it.The "rash med" did nothing.  I have recently (past 6 mos) started to get bumps on my legs that are the size of a pea.  I sometimes break them open when I shave. They bleed then the next day they are full again.  I see several docs (asthma, Hep C, Fibromyalgia, High Blood Pressure, Hypothyroidism, etc) and have pointed it out to them.  I usually get "uh hemmmm, yes I do see it, not sure what that is." So I am trying to do some research myself. I recently had an Echo because my PCP was afraid it may be related to heart problems, but that came out OK.  It's more embarrassing and somewhat worrisome as I have been misdiagnosed and not diagnosed on certain diseases in the past. The problems were allowed to fester and develop into worse problems before they were finally properly diagnosed.  I would like to know if anyone has had this problem before treatment and if they have an answer or solution.

[Bill1954]

Make sure to discuss cryoglobulinemia as well as PCT with your doctors; both of these diseases can be associated with HCV--

Bill

[pinky994]

hello I have almost the same systoms ,mostly on my right foot, warm to touch, redish, purple,ugly ,swollen,at times .I cant seem to get any kind of answer eigther, will go to new doc. friday will let you know,if they let me know this time. in my prayers

[GSDgirl]

The fact that they fill up after they break open seens like my porphyria PCT was.  It is associated with hepc.  is the purplish rash seem to be marks left from the blisters?  Does the skin tear easily in those areas?

Denise

[Rockerforlife]

About Cryoglobulinemia
The proteins that compose cryoglobulins are called antibodies or immunoglobulins. Normally, these immunoglobulins help the body fight infection. But when someone has cryoglobulinemia, these immunoglobulins clump together and cause organ damage and illness. Cryoglobulinemia may or may not be associated with other diseases, such as liver disease, infection, a connective tissue disease, multiple myeloma or lymphoma.

The cause of cryoglobulinemia is not known, but there is an association with certain diseases, as well as the hepatitis C virus. It can affect anyone, but the majority of people with cryoglobulinemia are in their 40s or 50s. Twice as many women as men have this disorder. Cryoglobulinemia is not inherited.

For more information see:
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplusTreatment
Mayo Clinic's typical strategy is to treat patients with cryoglobulinemia "secondary" to another disease with the preferred treatment for the primary disease. For example, a patient with multiple myeloma and cryoglobulinemia would be treated by a hematologist (a doctor who specializes in blood diseases) using the standard treatment strategies for multiple myeloma. A patient with cryoglobulins secondary to rheumatoid arthritis would be treated by a rheumatologist using the drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

In contrast, in someone with "primary" or "essential" cryoglobulinemia, a Mayo Clinic doctor will look hard for the presence of a hepatitis virus. For those with a hepatitis virus, the medicine called interferon-alpha may be recommended. This medicine has a number of side effects, but it can control hepatitis C and the symptoms of cryoglobulinemia in some patients.

In some cases, the doctor may advise careful monitoring rather than therapy. Alternatively, the doctor may prescribe corticosteroids such as prednisone, anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen, immunosuppressive medicines, and sometimes low-dose chemotherapy to control the symptoms. If there is a severe illness related to the cryoglobulinemia, the doctor may suggest plasmapheresis. This treatment reduces cryoglobulins by exchanging the blood plasma (which contains much of the cryoglobulins) for someone else's plasma or a replacement fluid.


http://www.mayoclinic.org/cryoglobulinemia/

[GSDgirl]

Rocker, it doesn't say in your article what the symptoms are and what it looks like

Denise

[jonney4141]

i broke out in the same looking rash (looks just like mine), only mine itched sooooo bad, they said it was from riba? i got the bumps that looked like pus filled, but was not, and have finally gone, now i have a purpulish bright red scar on leg that i keep lotion on, and it starts itching at times, i have never in my life had a problem like this. i  don't know what to think except that it is some sort of allergic reaction to meds? you have not started treatment yet? wow please let us know what you find out....