Need some help with a mystery rash. Started out at Xmas with right eye almost swollen shut skin was red and itchy. I saw a pcp and an eye doctor. They both prescribed different salves which did little to improve things. About 2 weeks into this the right eye got somewhat better but rash spread to forehead, left eye, and anterior neck. Finally got to see a dermatologist and got more salves-hydrocortisone but so far not much relief. Anyone have an idea if this could be lyme related? My llmd did not know what to think when she saw it. Thanks
Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
You can check out Maryland Lyme website. It has the most Lyme related rash photo's available.
A MYSTERIOUS RASH ON A WOMAN'S HANDS & LIPS STUMPED SPECIALISTS
- By Sandra G. Boodman - The Washington Post - July 28, 2014
Excerpts:
. . . At her second appointment Zirwas examined her back, confirming his hunch: The only strong reaction Omiatek displayed was to a chemical called
methyllisothiazolinone, MI for short, Methyl Isethionate
which is used in high concentration in hundreds of beauty and personal care products.
In Omiatek’s case, MI was in the new brand of “sensitive” baby wipes she had begun using a few weeks before the hand rash erupted. The pattern of the rash, which was on her right, dominant hand, matched the way one would use a wipe.
MI was also in the dishwashing soap she used as well as in her soap and shampoo. . . .
. . . estimates that about half of the approximately 300 MI allergy patients he has seen were using wipes. . . .
. . . Unlike shampoo or soap that is rinsed off, the substances in toilet wipes remain on the skin, in a part of the body where evaporation does not occur.
“It gets driven into the skin, perpetuating the problem,” said Zirwas, noting that it takes months for the rash to clear entirely after a patient stops using the product. . . .
. . . The concentration of MI in some personal-care products was increased about five years ago to replace other preservatives, including formaldehyde, which have been linked to health problems.
“People thought it was going to be” an effective replacement, Zirwas said, “but around two or three years ago, we started seeing an incredible increase in the number of people allergic to it.” . . .
. . . She also learned she was allergic to the brand of “sensitive baby sunscreen . . . .
[Full article at link above.] -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
13 Signs You’ve Crossed Over to the Costco Dark Side
Excerpt:
9. You are as loyal to Costco as a border collie, but you do have your limits. You know that the Costco version of Dove soap is the equivalent to jet fuel on [any sensitive tissue] . . . . -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Even if this particular rash is not lyme related, in someone with lyme, steroid creams such as hydrocortisone can cause worsening of skin issues - but also worsening of other lyme issues - for those with lyme and are best to avoid.
Topic: what do STEROIDS actually do to those with lyme? Risks, long term damage discussed. Links. -
Posted by MissVictoria (Member # 45232) on :
Maybe you're allergic to something you've been eating or applying to your skin
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- And MissVictoria's great reminder, too, about foods eaten.
Consider especially foods that are high in oxalate such as spinach, almond, peanuts, . . . . Oxalate overload can cause rashes for some. A low oxalate diet might be a good idea to see if that helps. -
Posted by bullmastiffluvr (Member # 50250) on :
Thank you all for the suggestions
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Also .. anything containing salicylates can cause it. Anyone (esp with Lyme) can become suddenly sensitive to them.