posted
My son developed a small red spot on his leg that grew to about the size of a dime and was scaly/flaky.
I thought it might be psoriasis. His PCP prescribed a very potent topical steriod cream. I did not apply it consistenly only twice in the last week. Then last night I applied it, and today there a large white patches of depigmented skin around the red spot.
I am really freaking out about it! How do I know if this is psoriasis with vitiligo (both autoimmune), or if it is tinea versicolor?
The white patches were not there yesterday... they literally appeared overnight and the whole area (red spot plus white patches) are now larger than a quarter.
If it is tinea v., perhaps the steroid cream made it worse? If it is psoriasis/vitiligo, would I be making it worse if were to try a topical antifungal cream?
I do have some topical ketoconazole and nystatin. I also have a prescription for Diflucan that I was planning to fill soon anyway. Thoughts??
I just don't want to make it worse... whatever it is.
Posts: 57 | From VA | Registered: Feb 2010
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momlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 27775
posted
From what I know - no steroids with Lyme... topical or oral. I looked back in your posts... just to be sure your son has lyme... he was diagnosed in February, yes?
My son was on steroids for 7 days back in August, before I knew how bad they were for LD... he got MUCH, MUCH WORSE!
Stop the steroids! I don't know what to do instead... soap and water? And take pictures?
-------------------- May health be with you!
Toxic mold was suppressing our immune systems, causing extreme pain, brain fog and magnifying symptoms. Four days after moving out, the healing began. Posts: 2007 | From NY/VT Border | Registered: Aug 2010
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momlyme
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Member # 27775
posted
As I was pushing the button to post, I remembered a horrid rash my daughter got right after a vaccination -- the only thing that gave her relief was AVEENO.
I hope your son is better soon.
-------------------- May health be with you!
Toxic mold was suppressing our immune systems, causing extreme pain, brain fog and magnifying symptoms. Four days after moving out, the healing began. Posts: 2007 | From NY/VT Border | Registered: Aug 2010
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D Bergy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9984
posted
If it is psoriasis, you will not get rid of it using topical products. You will not really make it worse either, they just have little effect either way. I have tried many, with no response. UV light will improve it.
For a fungal infection you can use Coconut Oil or an antifungal medication. I am guessing a steroid cream will only make a fungal infection worse.
You pretty much are going to have to go by your treatment results to determine what it is. There are lots of different possibilities. Most of them are not that serious. One thing that would be serous is a Staph infection. If you suspect that, then bring him in to be treated.
Good luck.
Dan
Posts: 2919 | From Minnesota | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
Heather - Yes, my son was tested in Feb, then diagnosed with neuroborreliosis by an LLMD in March... almost 2 years after his initial diagnosis of Lyme which was not treated properly (wrong abx).
I didn't think topical steroids would have much effect on his neuro symptoms. I guess I thought it wouldn't go much farther than the skin, but you have me very worried now, so I won't use any more of the steriod cream. Actually, wasn't planning to anyway since it seems to have made things worse.
Dan - Thanks for the info about psoriasis. Good to know that I won't likely make it worse if I try the antifungal cream.
Thanks for the tip about Staph. I hadn't even thought of that. Honestly, you scared the bejeez out of me with that thought (I'm thinking MRSA), but I'm still glad you put me on notice for that, so I can watch closely.
Posts: 57 | From VA | Registered: Feb 2010
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momlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 27775
posted
I didn't mean to scare you. Sorry if I did. Our experience was with an oral steroids. Prednisone.
I have seen posted on here that steroids given for eye conditions are not OK... I think all steroids are immuno-suppressant. Including topical. Not 100% positive. Maybe one of the more experienced veterans will chime in.
Keebler?
How is the rash doing?
Have you taken pictures?
-------------------- May health be with you!
Toxic mold was suppressing our immune systems, causing extreme pain, brain fog and magnifying symptoms. Four days after moving out, the healing began. Posts: 2007 | From NY/VT Border | Registered: Aug 2010
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posted
Can you post a picture? I have something on my right forearm that sounds very similar to what you described.
I first noticed it about 4-5 years ago when I started having some other noticeable symptoms. An ENT had put me on a 10-day course of Omnicef and Prednisolone. I never felt better, and the flaky spot on my LEFT arm disappeared, and it turned into a tiny scar.
Then 2 weeks after my course of medications, my symptoms returned and I had a new flaky spot on my RIGHT forearm.
I still have this, but I don't believe it's fungal after several treatments. Steroids did work, but it's temporary and only made everything worse -- you don't want to use steroids at all.
Post a picture. I'd like to see how similar this is. And, I also have some de-pigmentation on my forearms as well.
Posts: 829 | From MD | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
I tried to take a picture tonight, but when I get up close to take the picture, it comes out blurry.
The white patches around the red spot seem to be gone. Testing the yeast/fungal theory, I upped the probiotics to twice a day and added Candex, plus I put Ketoconazole cream on it last night.
I don't really know if any of this is what helped get rid of the white patches, but I'm glad their gone. Now, it is back to just a dime size red spot. This spot has been there for over a month, but it is actually better tonight than it was a couple weeks ago, so I think I will keep up the anti-fungal approach.
Thanks everyone!
Posts: 57 | From VA | Registered: Feb 2010
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