skin problems

Hi jmjm having a no sleeper again but I was reading the post on the rosacia etc. I'm lucky I havent had that one but I'm about 7 wks. post and still have dry spots and scabs on my temples, front an behind my ears and on my neck. Mine never go away, not flare ups, just no clear ups. Did the 5 day prednisone thing and I was sure it was working but just wont go away. Does yours clear up and come back? Making an appt with doc tommorrow and he will refer me to a specialist and that will take at least 2 months to see him! Our med system has some very good points and some very bad ones. Just curious if your skin gook is anything like mine. And of course it has to be good and visible, framed by fuzzy, patchy half grey hair (wont color till it quits falling out.) Just cant wait to start my new job in a high school!!
Hmmm, by the way, the raw fish thig was just a slight chance of the bacteria or virus they mentioned that goes right to the liver. I still eat sushi! Gotta!

[hippygem]

I had the rash in my scalp, the only thing that got rid of it was Elocon Lotion, here in australia, the Dr prescribed 6 bottles for me which i got in 1 prescription, im on the pension though and only had to pay $4.70.
I dont know if they call it Elocon in the US.  It comes in cream form as well, but the liquid form is better for the head as you can just squeeze it onto the scalp and it soaks in.
Im not sure if prednisolone or elocon would affect the treatment.

[EquineLori]

Good morning, Diane!  Yeah, I'm a no sleeper again myself.  Shoot, I've got dry, scaley patches showing up, too.  Can hardly wait for some responses to your inquiry.  Also, I think I'm getting the rosacia thing.  To me it looks like huge areas of red spider veins.  Other folks say that I must be feeling better because I've got color back in my face.  I smile and say, "Yep.  I sure do."  What a good liar I can be.  It's so much easier than explaining.  By the way, I read of your depression issues.  How are you?

hippygem, I'll check with my doc. when I get back about the Elocon stuff.  Thanks.

[jmjm530]

Early-on in tx I used Olux Foam (Group I Strength) on my scalp for ten days and then switched to weekends only. Very strong steroid so should only use under a doctor's rx and not for too long.

Elocon Ointment (Group III Strength) is another potent topical steroid but not as strong as Olux that might work on temples and neck/behind ears depending on diagnosis. Again, best to use under a doctor's supervision because chronic steroid use -- especially on facial areas can end up causing more problems than it solves. In fact, there's a form of rosacea caused by steroid use although that's mostly facial steroid use.

If your doctor OK's the topical steroids -- once you knock the problem down, you might ask your doctor about swithichg to Elidel (pimecrolimus)cream for maintenance. Elidel is prescribed for eczema but often used off label for many skin conditions. Elidel has a black box warning but many of the derms in the U.S. use it. Something similar to Elidel is Protopic but a bit greasier.

I also had some issues behind my ears which was diagnosed as seborrhoeic dermatitis. Elcon to knock it down followed by Elidel (for mainteance) did the trick. Another substitute for Elocon is Cutivate Lotion.

If you like being your own skin detective, here's an excellent skin site with lots of pictures and a decent search engine:
http://www.dermnetnz.org/  Just key in your symptons or hunt around. You might start with the usual suspects like Seborrhoeic Dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, scabs, etc. Just keep in mind that a lot of skin conditions look similar and an experienced dermatologist is the one for proper diagnosis although I pretty much found my diagnosis on the site but it took many, many hours of hunting around and reading.  

Lastly, try not to scratch the area as that may be what is causing the scabs and don't underestimate the use of emollients. I would not go with anything that has menthol or perfume in it but start with something non-allergenic like the Cetaphil Cream or lotion. It also could be an allergic reaction, so you might want to use mild laundry soaps and double-rinse everything. Tx lowers the immune system and skin problems/allergies we might not have ordinarliy can crop up. I also switched from soap to Cetaphil Cleanser. It comes both in a liquid which can be used with or without water and a bar "soap" version. Many don't understand that even water can be an irritant for very sensitive skin.

Good luck with the dermatologist, and again be careful of chronic use of topical steroids on facial areas.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

First sentence above should read in part "under a doctor's *supervision* -- not "rx"

[NYgirl]

One of the biggest problems with treatment is the dehydration...I had HORRIBLE skin problems when I first started. I still have dreadful scars all over my body from it.

I've found that moisturizing really really well is the BEST preventative medicine (of course this won't help probably with rosaciia (spelling sorry).  Jim I know had horrible experiences (and may still now) and he would have great advice.

[PasoPerson]

If your skin is dry and/or itchy - (prescription) Lac-Hydrin, (non-prescription) Sarna, or (non-prescription) Zim's Crack Creme sure worked good for me.

[Morgaina]

Hi, how you doing (and I really mean it!). I'm up and down but general functioning much better. I guess the whole thing just takes time. I have to go mow my lawn, but I really dont wanna!!! Surprise "monthlys" attack this AM (sorry guys, men hate when theses things are brought up)But I dont wanna mow the lawn,dont wanna, dont wanna!!! Hmm, maybe I should throw in another AD today........maybe just stay away from the general population. Little safety measure..........

[aussiefemale]

hi my nurse suggested Dermaveen, you can get it here in Oz. And it's not tested on animals. Has oatmeal in it although it's not the cheapest it works.

[aussiefemale]

hi my nurse suggested Dermaveen, you can get it here in Oz. And it's not tested on animals. Has oatmeal in it although it's not the cheapest it works.

[J9art]

My boyfriend and I have been together for 2 1/2 years. While he was in CA visiting a friend, the friend and I were talking about some issues that my boyfriend needs to address in his life. In this conversation with the friend, he said "well since he is Hep c...." WHAT???? I did not know this. He never said a peep to me--ever. He is flying back in town in the next couple of days. I wont be able to look at him without feeling I was deceived. I cannot reveal my source of this knowledge, it would ruin their 30 year friendship. The friend and I have become good friends over the years and he thought there were some things I should know, since i have been on and off the fence about my guy. I want to say something to him, but dont want to jeopardize the person that told me this in confidence. HELP!!!!!! I am going to get tested asap!

[J9art]

My boyfriend and I have been together for 2 1/2 years. While he was in CA visiting a friend, the friend and I were talking about some issues that my boyfriend needs to address in his life. In this conversation with the friend, he said "well since he is Hep c...." WHAT???? I did not know this. He never said a peep to me--ever. He is flying back in town in the next couple of days. I wont be able to look at him without feeling I was deceived. I cannot reveal my source of this knowledge, it would ruin their 30 year friendship. The friend and I have become good friends over the years and he thought there were some things I should know, since i have been on and off the fence about my guy. I want to say something to him, but dont want to jeopardize the person that told me this in confidence. HELP!!!!!! I am going to get tested asap!

[jmjm530]

You owe your boyfriend the benefit of the doubt, as things sometimes don't translate well through second parties. Is he HCV viral positive now? Or was he in the past? Did he treat? Does he only carry the antibodies? Is it even Hep C that he has or perhaps your friend confused it with Hep B or even Hep A. So....somehow you are going to "have to say something to him" and hash it all out. After that, you may want to get tested although sexual transmission of Hepatitis C is uncommon, and if he always practiced safe sex, I would think you are certainly safe. BTW sharing razors, toothbrushes and similar personal items -- combs, brushes, etc -- are not adviseable if he has Hep C.

-- Jim

[nygirl7]

Be careful with the prednisone - it can affect the course of SOC.  I would only take it if absolutely necessary.

Unfortunately the dry patches and scabs are a pain in the neck of treatment - I still have problems with my skin post treatment 15months and 72 weeks of duration of tx.

Just wanted to warn you - if you don't have to take it and can try other things don't do the prednisone again.

[honey11]

Hi Everyone,  Glad to see NYgirl and Jim are still checking in and helping others out. The skin issue is still a problem with me 3 years post tx. About twice a year I have break outs with red scaly patch behind knees, inside elbows and sometimes neck. I usually can get it under control when it starts itching with hydrocorisone 1% and then it will go away after few weeks.  Never had a problem at all before tx with my skin.

J9art,,,yes I think you should talk to your boyfriend first and see if its true and then if so,,,ask questions.