Atopic dermatitis / Eczema

[mari131]

My younger sister has been battling atopic dermatitis, an eczema condition since she was 8-9 years old. Although her rashes have come and gone here and there, it usually got better over time. However, she recently rescued a chick from the street and spent many hours in the backyard digging for worms. A day or two after, she broke out with red bumps filled with pus all over her body. Here is a photo of her legs/arm/back.

http://image87.webshots.com/187/2/75/70/2211275700050097975pugQpW_fs.jpg

We went to the doctor, dermatologist, and have been applying hydrocortisone and coderm but she hasn't gotten better. PLEASE help me figure out what is wrong with her skin. She is only 15 and falling into depression because it's not going away. PLEASE help me.

[mari131]

Thank you so much, doctor, for your response to my post. It is very, very much appreciated and I will be getting some calamine lotion today to see if it helps. She has been taking benadryl and allegra along with her coderm and hydrocortisone. Is there a specific calamine lotion that you would recommend?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Such a red rash appearing all of a sudden all over the body is generally due to viral exanthematous rash. Apply calamine lotion and make her wear cotton clothes. She  may need topical and oral antiviral drugs for which you should consult a dermatologist as they are available on prescription.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.