Saga Of the Subsiding Rash
Well, the day after I saw the dermatologist, the rash broke out all over me, mainly all over my thighs, down to the ankles, around the bum, up the back, around my sides up to my armpits, and all along my arms to the wrists. The only areas free of wheals were my chest, the top of my back, and, mercifully, my face! It’s a pity the doc didn’t get to see this in all of its glory. I was so impressed that I took a photo.
Three days later the dermatologist rang me to say that the pathology showed that there was no vasculitis (that is, capillary damage underlying the rash), and that there was no need to obtain a swag of blood tests that he’d arranged for me to get in the event that there was vasculitis. This was a bit of a relief, as it removed the possibility of something sinister associated with the rash.
This left me with plain ordinary urticaria (hives), for which there was nothing to do except take anti-histamines morning and night, to use Celestone-M cream on it, and to shower using body lotion instead of soap. So I’ve continued to do all of that.
The rash has continued for several weeks more, coming and going, but gradually dwindling. And now I’ve gone a week with no evidence of the morning rash. The dermatologist thinks it’s pretty well played itself out, and we’ll never know exactly what caused it. “Idiopathic”, is the term used for that.
Next thing is for him to cut out an enlarged and infected sweat gland in my back, in a week or so, when the antibiotics he prescribed have had a chance to work.
Now I’ve got a whole container of QV body wash for the shower, so I guess I’ll just use all that up instead of soap for a while. God knows what I’ll do with two large tubes of Celestone-M and a whole tube of Hydrazole (for non-existent thrush), but if I get that annoying fungus rash around my crutch (that’s another story of “jock itch”) next summer I’ll be well-prepared!.
I’m due to have the GP arrange for me to have the annual influenza vaccination, and a scheduled pneumonia vaccination, but she’s told me to hold off, as apparently that sort of thing can stir up the recent rash.
I wonder what my body will do next? Who knows what sort of alien protein is lurking around in my intra-corporal nooks and crannies?
Just so long as it’s not Swine Flu!!
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:12 am
A random google search on rash images led me to your blog.
I had something very similar–I noticed it flaring up after eating certain foods (soy, tofu, processed meats, barbeque sauce, wine, beer), and after wearing freshly washed clothes. I am on antihistimines 24/7, am changing laundry detergent and have paid particular attention to what I eat, especially anything heavily processed. Meantime, my total complement is above 60, aka high, which indicates some sort of autoimmune process in the the works.
Please keep me posted with whatever you discover, and good luck.
July 24th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Hello Regina, and thanks for your comment.
My rash has not re-appeared, and the dermatologist says that this not unusual for urticaria. When there is no known cause of a rash, the doctors call it ‘’idiopathic”, which means that it can be regarded as a one-off incident the cause of which would be impossible to trace.
Good luck with your endeavours to remain rash free!
Regards,
Bill Leithhead
October 6th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
I too had a very similar rash. I noticed it one morning on my elbow. I left work, not knowing if it may be contagious (never in my life experiencing hives before) by the end of the day I had began to notice large patches covering my entire body. It went on for 6 or 7 weeks, it seemed to get a little better when I slept (when I could) and would be horrible again by evening the next day. My primary care physician couldn’t figure it out, and neither could the dermatologist. I also had 3 aunts who had a similar problem, 1 of which has since been diagnosed with Hasimotos thyroiditis. Which, they’ve decided caused her hives. Scarry stuff, keep an eye on your thryoid labs.
October 6th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Aubrey, as I replied to Regina, my rash was written off as just one of those things, and to this date I have fortunately not had a recurrence. Good luck for the future with your episode!
Regards,
Bill
November 22nd, 2009 at 8:24 am
Bill,
In my Google search of images of an urticarial rash (I’m a pathologist), I saw yours and it’s a great example. Do you mind if I use it for a presentation? I’m trying to find one that isn’t copyrighted! Of course your name, etc. will NOT be used. This is just a teaching example of what the skin may look like, to go along with a pathology slide of ‘urticaria’.
Let me know. Thanks in advance!
May 3rd, 2010 at 5:49 pm
great post as usual!