rash that travels

[pedro319]

I have had a rash for about 10 days that originated with a small bump on the left side above the chest and has since enlarged and moved up to my neck. I generally need a lot of sleep and am more tired, but have otherwise no symptoms of illness.

I had the same kind of rash 33 years ago, when it was treated for 6 weeks unsuccessfully with antibiotics, and climaxed by moving up my neck and eventually paralyzing the left side of my face, so that I could ingest my food only by slurping on the right side of my mouth. At that time, I started taking Aspirin, and the rash went away within a day or two.
The rash was never diagnosed.

This time I started treating it with Aspirin for 2 days, but it didn'thelp. I have since switched to Oil of Oregano which has kept it in check for a while, but now it is creeping up my neck again. It kind of comes in waves. After feeling the inflammation and itch intensely, both go away again, and the rash seems to reduce in size, only to come back again.
It is worse at night, and lets off during the day.

If cause is external, I probably got it somewhere in the wood, as I go hiking and climbing frequently, and also become a prey of the chiggers every June.

Any suggestions as to what it is, and how to treat?

Thank you

Pedro

[Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP]

Dear Pedro,

Insect bite can be a sufficient entering point (traumatized, damaged skin) for microbial infection.

Recommended treatment for widespread cellulitis are parenteral (intramuscular or intravenous administration) antibiotics, effective on causative pathogen (e.g. Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, etc.) Cool, sterile, saline dressings are used to decrease local pain and heat. Swelling may be reduced by immobilization of affected areas.

Individuals with cellulitis are often predisposed to recurrent episodes. Therefore, prevention is essential. In your case, wear protective clothes (long sleeves, long pants, etc.) and repellents to avoid insect bites, and look into your overall health (and habits) for other possible risk factors and try to eliminate them.

Yours in Optimal Health,
Dr. Jasmina Jankicevic

[pedro319]

Dear Dr. Jankicevic,

thank you much for your very helpful comments.
In the meantime, soon after my last correpondence, I developed what was diagnosed as Bell's Palsy, and my prescription was changed to Doxycycline, as Bell's Palsy is a prominent symptom of Lyme Disease, and two days later Prednisone was added to combat the inflammation (both oral).
I made an emergency room visit yesterday, and my medication was confirmed, but Valacyclovir Hydrochloride was added to the regimen, just in case the infection is viral.
The doctor I saw there, thought that it could also be shingles, but I don't think I had chickenpox when I was a child.
The Prednisone (Or is it the Valaclovir of which I took the first tablet last night) is now showing its first effect, and the inflammation is going down, and I had a very good night.
But yu can never tell: this inflammation comes and goes. It had been down before, only to come back strong again - usually at night.
The Bell's Palsy is still there, and is especially bothersome in my left eye - I cannot blink, and can only close it manually.It will then stay closed, as long as the right eyelid is closed, too. Strangely reading print is more difficult, than reading on the computer.

Sorry, I could never send the picture - still haven't figured out how to attach it to this fromat

Thank you very much

Pedro

[pedro319]

Hello, Dr. Jankicevic,

initially it was a little bump such as in a chigger bite with surrounding redness, and within a few days it moved up to shoulder, neck, and now to the left side of my face. The redness also has spread over much of the left side of my chest, but it is very mild there; most of the heat is on the neck and earlobes. There was no blister, bleeding, or pain initially, only the bite point, redness and some itching.

I had a doctor's appointment last Thursday, and the doctor diagnosed it as Cellulitis and has put me on antibotics, which I have been taking since last Thursday evening. I am also taking aspirin (2x81mg 3x a day) to keep down the inflammation. My nights have gotten better - it is good to know what I am dealing with, and I am sure the aspirin is doing its job, too - but the verdict whether the antibiotics will gain the upper hand over the Cellulitis is still out. I am also still taking a smaller amount of oil of oregano, and using more garlic in my food preparation.

No fever, and only minimal itching.

Yes, I was in the woods the weekend before the bump developed, and had several other chigger bites (on my calves) which were not infected, and have since gone away.

I have a picture taken a few days after the rash developed, but don't know how to attach it to this message. Will send it, once I have figured it out

Thank you

Pedro  

[Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP]

Pedro,

Please describe your rash in more details: how did it look initially (any local redness, blistering, bleeding, necrosis, visible insect bite point; any pain, itching, fever, muscle ache, nausea, etc.), and how does it look now? Were you hiking in woods prior to development of initial lesion (last 24 hours)?

Thank you,
Dr. Jasmina Jankicevic