Can you hwlp with this

[drock68]

Hello Doc, Had these skin problem for the last 6 months. Brief description, first got jock itch, pretty bad, then that turned into a infection, i think staph. Then it got better, but on & off until now. I apply clotrimozole every morning, kind of helps. Then I got Molluscum, had them removed but some pop back, now i have 1 or 2 more on my shoulder of all places? I got scared of all of these problems, so I went to a STD clinic in NYC & was tested for HIV,Syphilis, & Clamyadia, all came back negative. I felt better but now I got this bad, very painful itchy rash on my chest, my chest is hairy & its on both sides. I know all of these skin problems are due to a immune problem, well that is what the net states. This cannot be normal, I have never had any problem with skin ever. I am 36 years old. I am not a gay man, & never do drugs. I have had my unprotected sexual encounters with ex girlfriends but I rule anything out with HIV because I was tested. I did test positive for Uthritis, but I took the 7 day meds. What can cause all of these problems? I took some blood tests with my PCP & he said that I had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, can that cause all of this? The Derm & Doc do not know & they are not worried at all? They say people change as they get older & need to deal with certain things but this is ridiculous.  I am at loss here. Very worried. Also have a dry cough that has lasted for a month? I know all of these symptoms lead to a HIV type problem but I tested negative well after any high risk I had did, that was years ago.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Unfortunately, I don't think I can help much.  Your various symptoms and problems are too complex for me to pull together with a single likely diagnosis, especially when neither an STD clinic, your PCP, and a dermatologist have not been able to do so.  Molluscum contagiosum and your urethritis presumably were sexually acquired (but I'm not sure what you mean "test positive for urethritis" [chlamydia? gonorrhea?]).  But otherwise, none of your symptoms--skin problems, itching, cough, chronic fatigue--are due to STD and were not sexually acquired.  You can rely on the negative HIV test; you don't have AIDS.



My suggestion is to have a frank talk with your PCP.  If s/he is at all uncertain or you just want a second opinion, request a referral to another provider, such as in internal medicince specialist, to see if there is some other immune system problem or other unifying explanation for all your issues.



Good luck-- HHH, MD

[drock68]

The STD Clinic said that I tested positive for Uthrtis? Then when my blood test cam eback, they said negative to Cylamadia & Gonorrea, so not sure. I took the Doxcycline for 7 days. My Derm is a moron, he always brushed things off with no worry. My PCP is not a worrier but even though my condition is not life threatning I would like a hopeful diagnoses & answer to get me back to the way I was. Lastly, have youheard of people getting hit with chronic rashes with no immune problems? Thanks. Last question, when I took the HIV test at the cliniuuc, they used a oraquick method, where I would place this thing around my gums. If my mouth was dry, would it still give a accurate reading, I assume they have somehting on the test to let them know if the test is working, they told me in about 30 minutes it was non reactive.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Yes, Oraquick has a built-in check of the test; you can rely on the negative result regardless of dry mouth.



Recurrent skin rashes rarely are due to immune system abnormalities.



HHH, MD