Skin Lesions

[DannyG]

My question is for my Dad.  My Dad has been diagnosed with CLL.  He is 76 years old.  He went thru a serious of chemo treatments and his white blood count has dropped from 25,000 to 10,000.  He follows up with the Dr.'s on a regular basis.  They are continously monitoring his condition. The prognosis is good for him to date; however, he has been breaking out with skin lesions that seems to baffle everyone including the Dr.'s.  They have conducted biopsy after biopsy including outpatient and everything comes back negative.  These skin lesions begin like a pimple rather large in size, some like a half dollar some smaller, very painful then begin to open and fester and ooze.  He has been applying tea tree oil to cut the length of the outbreak which seems to help, and the Dr's have prescribe steroids (10 mg) which also seems to help.  He has gone thru a series of taking a higher dosage (40 mg) of steroids, however, now taking a smaller dose.  Although, his outbreaks are continous and the battle to control remains at time helpless.  He had a very bad case of the shingles about 3 1/2 years ago where the concentration of the outbreak was on his left side of the face thru the top portion of this head to his back.  As of now, he has one lesion around his left eye that is very painful and bothersome.  Mostly his outbreaks appear on his arms, legs from the knee down and face.  He does not want to leave the house because of his appearance.  We are currently at odds on what to do next?  Any advise that you may offer would be appreciated.

Sincerly,
Dan

[desperate for help]

I have had a spot on my left cheek that will open up into a sore like spot. It gets red and swollen. I have been experiencing this for about a year and a half. I went to 11 different doctors, was put on every medicine known to man, given shots, had 4 biopsies, been cut on and everything. All of these tests turned up NOTHING. Finally I found a dermatologist that tried Duo Derm patches. I wore this at night and sure enough, the spot cleared up within a month. It has been gone for about 6 months and suddenly re-appeared 2 days ago. Does anyone have any ideas that 11 doctors may have missed?

[sugarbabepoker]

I have had what looks like a puss filled raised pimple a few
inches unde my eye (directly next to my nose) on the left side
of my face for a year.  I'm very frightened of doctors which is
why I have not had this looked at.  It is the same color as
my skin, it's not a mole of any kind.  Almost looks like a hive.
There are times when it really shrinks.  I picked at it over
a year ago and made a portion of it bleed.  This has never fully
healed.  What could this be?  It never itches but is a bit puffy
as if it were a pimple filled with puss.  I know I should have
it looked at, it's getting there that's a big step for me.  

Thank you.
Sugarbabepoker
***@****

[DannyG]

Yes Dr., he does pick and scratch at them.  I am will tell him of your response.  Maybe he will become more cautious and try (I realize it is hard for him due to itchiness)to discontinue.  Thx!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Thanks.  That is a very revealing response.  I suspected that picking was behind your husband's problem, and it sounds as though it is.  Unless he stops picking, no treatment will make him better.  If he does stop picking, his spots will go away completely, although it will take several weeks or even longer.  The problem is that people who pick their spots are reluctant to believe that that's their problem.  You can help a lot by gently but firmly stopping what has obviously become a major habit.  But if you succeed, the improvement will be extremely gratifying all around.

Dr. Rockoff

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I'm afraid I can't add much if the doctors who have seen your Dad haven't been able to diagnose him even after many biopsies.  I have one question:  does he ever pick or scratch at these spots?  If so, then that could be contributing to the problem or even causing it.  If picking is part of what's going on--you can perhaps tell by watching him, even if he's unaware of doing it--then you should tell this to the doctors who are caring for him.

Good luck.

Dr. Rockoff