Thank you for your suggestions. I went to the doctor today (D.O.) She said that I shouldn't take a hot bath or shower because heat can exacerbate a histamine reaction. She prescribeD a stronger steroid cream if the one I'm taking (Triamcinolone Acetonide 0.1%) stops helping. She didn't give me the name of it, but it's not Clobetasol. She said it's a little stronger. I asked about spraying Epsom salt water on the rash and she said she wouldn't recommend it. No reason given why not. She said I should put the steroid cream on twice a day. She also said I should try to not scratch when I itch
because scratching increases the histamines.I asked if I could take Claritin more than once a day because I notice that it wears off by evening. She said no, I shouldn't. She suggested Allegra, but I had gas and gurgling when I tested it earlier in the year. I noticed that the Benadryl spray shouldn't be taken in conjunction with a Benadryl pill. Gold Bond medicated cream has helped a lot, though.
She thinks this is an allergic reaction, but wants me to see a dermatologist to make sure it's not something more serious. She gave me the name of the same guy I saw the last time I had a rash from the generic detergent. I don't think it will do any good to see him. She asked me if my GI knows that I'm eating such a restricted diet because of my MC. I told her that he doesn't believe that diet has any effect on it, so I only see him when I need the meds.
When I woke up this morning, I decided to lay on my side with my back exposed to the air. It felt very cool and soothing. I told DH that I should garden in my birthday suit for the next few days.
However, the doctor said that I should stay out of the sun as much as possible, which we've already discussed. In the evening I sit on the couch with an inflatable cushion supporting my back. I've replaced it with a mesh back support so that I'm not heating my back all the time. I think that's one reason it seems to be worse in bed. I sleep on my back, so once again, it's not getting any air and is warm all night. The rash has progressed since we closed the windows in our bedroom.You'd think that my MC would be better because I'm taking Benadryl and Claritin, but it seems to have gotten worse. There's probably something in the Claritin Redi-Tabs that's bothering me.
Julie,
You are right on target. I had reduced my Entocort dosage by one pill every three days for three weeks. I wasn't having any problems, so I reduced it by one pill every other day. I began having looser stools after a week, so I went back to my regular two pills a day for three days. I believe that my rash began to get worse when I reduced Entocort by one pill every other day. I also have been eating one or two more dried mango slices a day than I used to. As I wrote before, I love them and mango is the only fruit I've been able to eat. It's very hard to give them up. Most things seem to point to this being a histamine reaction.
Zizzle,
I don't know if I'm allergic to poison ivy, but I had to give up cashews early in my MC. BTW, I told the Dr. that I've switched to Dove shampoo since my scalp has been itching. She said that was a good, mild shampoo.
One day at a time....
Gloria
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, and wish you a wonderful trip in the Northeast. I'm sure that meeting up with some PP'ers would be great fun. Can't wait to hear how it goes.