Sunburned or flushed looking face, hands, etc.

[spb428]

I went to Orlando last month and while there my face, hands and some of my neck developed a red sunburned look. I also had a flare up of lymphedema. At first I just thought it was sunburned but the ER dr told me it was vasculitits. (there for lymphedema issues/to rule out dvt). She was right that it wasnt' sunburn because it didn't burn nor was it emmitting heat. Fast forward a week or so and I'm just getting redder and redder. My hands tend to stop just below the knuckles. Went to primary dr and they put me on prednisone. It didn't make it better or worse. At follow up they tested me for thyroid, autoimmune, and a host of other test. All results were normal. This week I went to dermatologist. He questioned me about meds and decided I had a photosensitivity to sun due to all the ibuprofen I took in FL and continued to take since returning home due to sinusitis. I have researched photosensitivity  and it doesn't sound like what I got. However it has gotten better since I stopped the ibuprofen. I haven't had any blisters, some burning but more like a chapped feel, though not bad. The top of my hands as they get better are looking shiney with all kinds of scaley looking lines. My skin is not dry and feels hydrated though very thin and I have very little hair on my arms.

Does this sound like anything familier to anyone. I know it's getting better and I'm happy but still am curious if this is what it is.

Thanks, Sherri

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From thr symptoms it sounds like photodermatitis but it is important to rule out any vasculitis as well. The diagnosis of vasculitis is definitively established after a biopsy of involved tissue. An alternative to biopsy can be an x-ray test of the blood vessels called an angiogram. So I suggest you to get it done from a vascular surgeon and get this possibility ruled out.
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.

[spb428]

PS.

Today I was in a warm building and I flared up real bad. There is like a slight burning on the skin, though it looks moist. I have been putting a lot of lotion (mainly AmLactin or Curel) and it is soothing.