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Sjogrens Topics => Living With Sjogren's => Topic started by: Scottietottie on February 11, 2012, 06:30:54 AM

Title: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: Scottietottie on February 11, 2012, 06:30:54 AM
Hello  :)

I've developed an incredibly itchy patch of skin mid chest extending up towards my neck. The area is bright red about the size of a good sized saucer. It's not a rash in as much as there are no spots or bumps. It's almost impossible not to scratch although I am trying hard. It started yesterday and woke me up this morning. It's warm to the touch but itchy - not painful.

Anyone any idea what it could be?  (No new soaps, bras, jewellry, cleaning products or anything involved)

Thanks - Scottie :)
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: Katybarstool on February 11, 2012, 08:04:55 AM
Scottie

That sounds awful. You certainly are having skin problems this past year or so, aren't you? I think I would go to a decent pharmacist and ask them what they think it could be. Otherwise, maybe see your GP MOnday?

Kathyx
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: Bucky on February 11, 2012, 10:01:08 AM
Scottie - you poor thing.  From your legs on up you have had some really strange skin issues within the last year.

You had taken pictures of your legs in the past - are you gonna take a picture of this latest new development?   ;)

It seems your skin is really, really sensitive.

I agree with Kathyx - ask a pharmacist what he thinks you could use to ease the itching for the weekend.  It makes me wonder about the "warm" part.  The only time I get a warm spot without pain (well, sometimes with pain) is from a sunburn.  I doubt that would be your case right now.

Hope things settle down for you - you have definitely had your share of health issues for quite a while.

Take care - keep us posted,
Bucky

Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: Dolly Dimples on February 11, 2012, 10:24:45 AM
  Poor Scottie , It seems that you are truly allergic to something ,  it could be contact or something you eat that brings it out,  One has to play detective to find out what?  My daughter is allergic to quite a few things, she has had rashes, spots , patches of  really dry skin, which as you know drives one mad with the itch.

   I'd see your Doc again Scottie, you probably need steroids such as Betnovate  to get it under control,
     Doctor told my Daughter to keep a diary of what she ate in a day, where she went, and what contact with anything out of normal activity.   Hope you get it controlled soon.... Dolly
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: Luna on February 11, 2012, 06:13:40 PM
I have no idea what it could be other than some sort of allergic reaction. We can all develop and allergy to something over night. Maybe this is the case. Even though it is something you have been using or eating for most your life is suddenly something your allergic to. Definatly go see a doctor. Please keep us informed.. I hope you can get this taken care of. Im so sorry..

Luna
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: Jellyb on February 11, 2012, 06:50:44 PM
Hi Scottie, my skin is also, what I like to call " crazy reactive" i get rashes from everything.

I agree with the others, it might be a food allergy.

I had an itchy patch on the right side of my chin, for years. Sometimes it was so bad the itch would spread down my neck, then other times it was not there at all. I had allergy prick teasting done a few years ago and found out I was allergic to shellfish. Who knew!

I used to have shrimp or prawns at least once a week! Since I found out, I have not had shellfish and TaDa! No itchy chin

Maybe get some testing done.
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: mshistory on February 11, 2012, 06:53:37 PM
I've had warm itchy rashes in response to certain medications - (prednisone/medrolprednisolone). That rash actually looked and felt just like a sunburn.

Anything with zinc oxide in it usually helps with mild skin irritation (the same stuff that's in diaper rash creams - Boudreaux's Butt Paste will clear up quite a few mystery rashes  ;D )
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: irish on February 11, 2012, 09:20:17 PM
Scottie, You have a "lupus" diagnosis if I remember correctly so maybe it is a lupus skin rash. Just a guess. Probably by the time you figure out that you need to see the doctor the rash will go away. That is the way with those fickle rashes. Sometimes the doctors just guess at what to treat a skin rash with. If it works the first time--yahoo!! Skin rashes can be real buggers. Good luck. Irish ;D
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: Patze on February 11, 2012, 09:24:33 PM
Irish beat me too it, but I was thinking about you having a skin problem compliments of Lupus.

Please do take a picture of it and show it to your doctor if it disappears before you can see the doctor.

Take care of yourself -

Patze
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: lynnmarie219 on February 11, 2012, 09:25:25 PM
What Irish says sure makes sense Scottie! Do you see a GP or a dermatologist for your skin issues? Might be worth it to see a good dermatologist if you don't already.

Sure hope you get some relief soon...keep us posted!
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: season on February 11, 2012, 09:51:56 PM
ringworm? shingles? psoriasis?
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: susanep on February 12, 2012, 12:26:47 AM
Same here, I kept thinking you had a lupus diagnosis too, and I had a lot of skin things going on before my lupus diagnosis and still do. It could be that, but now Bucky don't be encouraging her about the pics. We don't want those popping up here. just kidding!!

susanep :)
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: Scottietottie on February 12, 2012, 06:57:07 AM
Hi

I don't think it's an allergy because it is such a localised patch and I think an allergy rash would have spread further. Last night I lathered Betnovate onto it. (I had some left over from the eczema last year) I thought well if its a 'yeast' thing it will make it worse but if its autoimmune inflammation it may help.

It seems to have taken the itch out of it. Whew! The area is still red and now feels 'bruised'. It's not a bruise but that is what it feels like if its touched. If it doesn't fade off by tomorrow I'll try and see the doctor I think. I was scared it might be cellulitis but I'm pretty sure now its not.

Thanks for all the answers. Definitely not sun related. I've been wearing turtle necks for the last couple of months!

Take care - Scottie  :)
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: A66eyroad on February 13, 2012, 10:56:23 AM
How are you today?
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: Madison Granny on February 13, 2012, 01:49:14 PM
I've a patch that sounds allot like yours.  Mine is one my chest just about my bra.  I also have one on my right knee cap.  They have kind of a burning sensention to them.  I use Cort-Aid on them even after they are gone for awhile.  But I know they will eventually come back.  I beginning to believe that things like these are just part of  having SJS
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: Scottietottie on February 13, 2012, 06:49:10 PM
Hi - well today has been not too bad but I was woken up several times last night with itching. Today my upper chest looks like it has sunburn. It hasn't seen daylight since about September! The top layer of skin is going dry now. Hopefully it will slough off and get back to normal. I never had skin problems like this till last year.

It's like a minor moving flare! Just keeping me uncomfortable - not ill like many. I know I'm lucky. 3 weeks ago it was sore ribs and 'electric shocks' - two weeks ago it was itchy eye sockets and eczema round both eyes and now it's a 'sunburnt' chest! They've all left me sleep deprived though!

Thanks again for the answers.

Take care - Scottie  :)
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: slccom on February 13, 2012, 07:09:33 PM
You are never bored, though! 

I wish you could have a long stretch of utter boredom with no symptoms.
Sharon
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: Scottietottie on February 14, 2012, 05:05:55 PM
Lol@Sharon!  :)

I would just love a whole month without thinking about a GP, a specialist, an opthamologist or a dentist!!  :)
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: Patze on February 15, 2012, 07:13:38 PM
From your lips to the doctors ears Scottie! :D


Patze
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: eyeamdry on February 15, 2012, 07:33:09 PM
I have a rough patch on one elbow and had it for some time before I think I noticed it.  I happened to ask the derm when I was in there and he said it was psoraisis.  It hurts a bit occasionally and a little itch, but it's so small it's of no bother.  I found the same patch elsewhere on my person, but I forget where. lol.  So I have but a touch of psoraisis, just enough to know what it looks like.  If I keep it well lubed, it behaves.  I with all rashes were this mild.  Lucy
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: jazzlover on February 15, 2012, 07:35:33 PM
Somebody please tell me what "OT" means before I lose my mind!! ;D ;D
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: soycoffee on February 15, 2012, 07:48:18 PM
Me, too, Jazzlover. Need to know, and can't imagine!

Soycoffee
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: Linda196 on February 16, 2012, 02:29:37 AM
Sorry, Jazzlover and Soycoffee......we wouldn't dream of driving you to the brink of insanity!

OT means "off topic"...of course in here, most things connect to the topic sooner or later, SjS can get it's nasty little fingers into just about any pie!
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: A66eyroad on February 16, 2012, 07:25:18 AM
My husband has psoriasis patches that crack and bleed unless he keeps them slicked up with vitamin e oil. He used to stick a pin in the vitamin e pill, but we've found some vitamin e oil in a bottle so now he uses that.

Linda, thanks for clearing up the OT --- I was hoping someone was being paid overtime!   ;)
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: jazzlover on February 16, 2012, 08:02:44 AM
Quote from: Linda196 on February 16, 2012, 02:29:37 AM
Sorry, Jazzlover and Soycoffee......we wouldn't dream of driving you to the brink of insanity!

OT means "off topic"...of course in here, most things connect to the topic sooner or later, SjS can get it's nasty little fingers into just about any pie!
-
Oh,, I feel so much better now! 8)
Title: Re: Prolly OT - but help!
Post by: soycoffee on February 16, 2012, 09:28:12 AM
Thanks, Linda. It still looks like "Overtime" to me, which is what the forum administrators seem to put in! (;-})

Soycoffee