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Title: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: kevinb36 on March 30, 2017, 01:53:26 PM

I've had this for going on a week now. It's typically worse on my pals, which itch like crazy and it's also a little painful on my palm area, a bit like pushing on a bruise. I had a terrible set of hive-like rashes on my head, which also resulted in a pretty large bulge at the back right hand side of my head (elephant man lite!). That cleared up from terrible to virtually all gone in one night and I thought it was over. But then it came back on my palms and has now appeared on my fingers, wrist, thigh and neck. Those on my fingers have this weird white ring around an inflamed reddish itchy area, in a circle. On my neck and face they present as acne-like hives. It started with a single, coin sized itchy red circke right in the middle of my left palm. Thisd went away after about 2 days but came up on my right palm the same night, again disappearing after 30 hours or so. Then it appeared on the back of my head and behind my ears. I saw the doctor 3 days ago and she couldn't diagnose it as I simply can't think of what the cause could be. I'm not allergic to anything that I know of and do not take any medications. Also, the fact it is appearing all over my body makes me think it's not contact dermatitis, so I'm at a loss. Originally thought it might have been caused by some old clippers I used to shave my hair which may have had old hair in it, but I'm really not sure. :-/

I was prescribed Eumovate cream, and perhaps it's too early to say if it's working or not but I haven't noticed a difference thus far. Also been taking Ranitidine 75g tablets. The itching always seems to be worse at nights.

(http://i64.tinypic.com/dde26t.jpg)

(http://i67.tinypic.com/2637pm1.jpg)

(http://i67.tinypic.com/2vcexec.jpg)

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: rebekahc on March 30, 2017, 06:15:40 PM

That looks terribly uncomfortable!  I'm sorry I have no clue what it could be, though.

Can you trace back anything that has changed (or a new package) since they appeared - soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, etc?  Even if it's the same brand you usually use, it could be 'new and improved' or something. Something you're ingesting?

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: kevinb36 on March 30, 2017, 07:38:14 PM

Quote from: rebekahc on March 30, 2017, 06:15:40 PM

That looks terribly uncomfortable!  I'm sorry I have no clue what it could be, though.

Can you trace back anything that has changed (or a new package) since they appeared - soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, etc?  Even if it's the same brand you usually use, it could be 'new and improved' or something. Something you're ingesting?

I really can't think of anything. There was a new bubble bath but I was using that several weeks before this. Having looked online, I think the most likely is hives, which seemingly often have no obvious cause and can appear anywhere on the body. But not knowing the cause is not helping me try and stop it! It may not have been the best pictures as they only present in that weird way on my hands. Elsewhere they are more like this:

(http://i63.tinypic.com/28i547d.jpg)

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: Macabre on March 30, 2017, 07:39:08 PM

Ringworm. Or another fungus. I had that on my legs a few years ago. It was horribly itchy. Hydrocortisone cream helped the itch but made the condition much worse. Go to a dermo or maybe try an antifungal cream.   

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: Macabre on March 30, 2017, 07:41:09 PM

Okay, seeing your neck now, maybe still ringworm. My welts weren't always circular and some were raised like that. I do think you should go to a dermatologist. My first dermo did not diagnose mine  correctly, btw.

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: kevinb36 on March 30, 2017, 07:54:24 PM

Thanks for the reply. I did consider ringworm but most of the pictures I saw looked off from what I had. But I guess they present differently in everyone. The doc said to give it a week so I will have to suffer over the weekend until Monday. I have to say the anti-histemines and cream I was prescribed don't seem to making any headway, unfortunately.

Once you had it nailed down what was the cure and did it take long to clear up?

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: Macabre on March 30, 2017, 08:10:53 PM

The cure was antifungal cream, and I felt at least some relief within a day. It had gone on for a couple of months with one dermatologist prescribing hydrocortisone, which feeds ringworm. That one also said s a ask cell carcinoma want anything. It was the second dermatologist who said ringworm right away and biopsied and excised the malignant tumor.

But the antifungal cream (it was an Rx, not OTC) helped immediately. That said, OTC antifungals are often prescribed for ringworm.

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: rebekahc on March 30, 2017, 08:13:23 PM

One other thought I had - a reaction to an irritant like a plant, insulation or even carpet beetles you may have come into contact with?

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: Macabre on March 30, 2017, 08:16:30 PM

Hmmmm. Eumovate Is a corticosteroid.

I am not a doctor and cannot give medical advise to you, but if that is ringworm,  Eumovate would make it worse. And it thins skin too.

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: Macabre on March 30, 2017, 08:20:29 PM

Also, look up Granuloma annulare. That was my first diagnosis. It is also circular.

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: kevinb36 on March 30, 2017, 08:37:14 PM

Rebekahhc - The most likely would be a carpet beetle as I rarely am near or around any plants where I live.

Macabre - Thanks, I'm sorely tempted to get an appointment tomorrow morning since they're starting to sting like a nettle rash now as well as itch. Also, I now have 3 small rings (they always start small) on my moustache area where I've been applying the cream. I don't really want those ugly things growing on my face, so yes it may be that the cream is making it worse.

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: kevinb36 on March 30, 2017, 08:52:50 PM

I should add that I have been applying an antifungal cream for days (in the shape of athlete's foot cream) just because it soothes the itch for a while. But that doesn't seem to be having any effect on the actual wheals. I had terrible athlete's foot as a child.

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: GoingNuts on March 31, 2017, 06:41:09 AM

Hi Kevin, I don't have anything to add- I have no idea what they are, but I agree you should try to get another appointment today and not wait out the weekend.  That looks extremely uncomfortable!

Good luck!

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: kevinb36 on March 31, 2017, 07:11:31 AM

Well they flatred up all over my head so I got seen to right away by a 2nd doctor. He says it's likely an ingested allergic reaction (he gave a name but I can't remember it). So the prescription is simply anti-histamines and to come back if they don't clear up after a week. I remember thinking to myself that I had already been taking some with no effect. But when I got home I noticed they are 4 years out of date, so perhaps that would be why. Anyway, got some new ones on prescription and they should clear up in a few days if it really is just an allergy. Although I still have no idea what would have caused it.

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: GoingNuts on March 31, 2017, 07:30:16 AM

If that is indeed the case, then get thee to an allergist promptly, preferably one who specializes in food allergies.

I Joe you get some relief, and some answers.

Do you have any symptoms besides the rash?  GI, wheezing, etc.?

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: kevinb36 on March 31, 2017, 07:35:27 AM

Quote from: GoingNuts on March 31, 2017, 07:30:16 AM

If that is indeed the case, then get thee to an allergist promptly, preferably one who specializes in food allergies.

I Joe you get some relief, and some answers.

Do you have any symptoms besides the rash?  GI, wheezing, etc.?

No, nothing else. I did have nausea and bloating about 48 hours before I noticed the rash, though. A common symptom of an ingested allergy is stomach cramps, so perhaps that was the start of it. I have to admit that the photos of 'urticaria', to give it it's proper name, do look very much the same as I have. So I'm going to take these anti-histamines every 4 hours over the weekend and see what happens. I hope it really is that simple.

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: rebekahc on March 31, 2017, 07:50:44 AM

I'm glad you were able to be seen again quickly.  As to "hoping it really is that simple"... managing food allergies can be challenging and there is no one and done fix.  If it's an ingestion reaction it's important to figure out what's causing it and avoid the allergen.  Food allergies can be dangerous and reactions aren't predictable.  It's important for you to get a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan from an allergist. 

Normally, an ingestion reaction will start within minutes of eating, but can take up to 4 hours to manifest.  The symptoms can linger for a few days afterward.  Do you have any idea what you had to eat and drink in the hours leading up to your hives?

There are also hives which can be caused in response to a virus.  Is it possible you were slightly ill (the nausea and bloating) from a virus and this is the result?  That would be simple.  Uncomfortable until they go away, but simple in that you don't have to actively do anything to prevent it (or worse) from happening again.

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: kevinb36 on March 31, 2017, 11:56:40 AM

I really can't. I'm not very adventurous when it comes to food and I haven't tried anything lately that I haven't had before. It would be weird if symptoms of a food allergy lasted over a week anyway, wouldn't it?

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: rebekahc on March 31, 2017, 01:01:45 PM

When my kids have reactions, the hives can linger for 4-5 days and that's even though they're taking antihistamines and steroids every few hours.  It could also be that you are continuing to ingest whatever it is you're reacting to.  Allergies can develop at any time, so just because you've had something before doesn't mean that you're not allergic to it now.

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: spacecanada on March 31, 2017, 11:06:27 PM

I'll echo what has been said here before.  I was eating potatoes one week and the next week they caused an allergic reaction so bad it had me administering my EpiPen and calling 911.  You'll definitely want to see an allergist, even if a doctor just 'thinks' it could be ingested (food) allergies.  It's best to know one way or the other for sure. 

My hives can last up to 3 or 4 days after an allergic reaction too -- with double dosing Benadryl every day in that time (as prescribed by a doctor, of course.)

I hope you can get some relief soon. 

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: kevinb36 on April 01, 2017, 09:12:55 AM

Quote from: spacecanada on March 31, 2017, 11:06:27 PM

I'll echo what has been said here before.  I was eating potatoes one week and the next week they caused an allergic reaction so bad it had me administering my EpiPen and calling 911.  You'll definitely want to see an allergist, even if a doctor just 'thinks' it could be ingested (food) allergies.  It's best to know one way or the other for sure. 

My hives can last up to 3 or 4 days after an allergic reaction too -- with double dosing Benadryl every day in that time (as prescribed by a doctor, of course.)

I hope you can get some relief soon.

Thanks, yes it has to be something I'm eating (or an infection) as it appears everywhere. I did take Ranitidine for the nausea/indigestion I had a few days before this flared up. It doesn't list a rash as a potential side-effect, though. And if it were that it would have cleared up within a week I would have thought. I'm thinking of cutting all dairy stuff out for a few days since that's such a common one.

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: Macabre on April 01, 2017, 09:26:16 AM

I am thinking this is an infection and not hives--either from food or viral hives. This seems the be something else.

I would see if you can get into a dermo very soon.

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: kevinb36 on April 01, 2017, 10:00:10 AM

Quote from: Macabre on April 01, 2017, 09:26:16 AM

I am thinking this is an infection and not hives--either from food or viral hives. This seems the be something else.

I would see if you can get into a dermo very soon.

The first doctor who saw me was a dermo (I didn't know it at the time) ;D. Looking into viral hives, the symptoms are all there except the virus. I had a swelling on the back of my head when the hives were there. Perhaps the nausea and feeling of fullness that I had a couple of days before was the start of an infection. I hope it is because at least then I know it will clear up by itself.

Since I only went down there again on Friday I'm going to give it until Wednesday. The doc I saw most recently said tests would be needed if it hadn't cleared up by then. It's a bit better today but I've had these false dawns before.  :P

Bought some aloe vera cream which someone said worked for them.

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: Liv on May 03, 2017, 10:00:20 PM

Hi how is your condition?  Hope it is getting better for you.  Let me know what was the final diagnosis and what did you do to make it go away.  Unfortunately I am also going through something similar, and the last diagnosis for me is allergy to Carpet Beetle Larvae.  But I am still unsure how to make sure I do not get a reaction to it anymore.  Any advice anyone?

Title: Re: Any idea what this could be?
Post by: Macabre on May 05, 2017, 12:10:53 PM

I've been thinking about you, too.

Last month I had some athlete's foot. It didn't respond to the first antifungal I used, and I had to buy a different one (who knew there were so many different anti-fungal formulations out there?). The second one in ought, I swear--i could feel it activate  on my toes. It improved things right away, whereas the first one did nothing after several days.