Dealing with itchy bumps
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
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wonderwoman
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 574
- Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:59 pm
- Location: Sun City, AZ
Gloria,
I have a hunch that the problem is the urushiol, but you may be more sensitive to it than most people. Are you aware that some people are unaffected by the urushiol in poison ivy? The same is surely true for cashews and mangos, and those individuals who don't react to poison ivy don't have to worry about the urushiol in mangoes or cashews. But the rest of us have to be much more careful.
I trust that the next time you try mangoes, you'll select one that is properly ripened. This makes me wonder if all mangoes are picked green and allowed to ripen either during shipment or in the store, the way that many fruits are handled these days.
Have you tried frozen mango slices? Those should be ripe before they're picked, since they're processed and preserved by freezing before they're shipped.
Tex
I have a hunch that the problem is the urushiol, but you may be more sensitive to it than most people. Are you aware that some people are unaffected by the urushiol in poison ivy? The same is surely true for cashews and mangos, and those individuals who don't react to poison ivy don't have to worry about the urushiol in mangoes or cashews. But the rest of us have to be much more careful.
I trust that the next time you try mangoes, you'll select one that is properly ripened. This makes me wonder if all mangoes are picked green and allowed to ripen either during shipment or in the store, the way that many fruits are handled these days.
Have you tried frozen mango slices? Those should be ripe before they're picked, since they're processed and preserved by freezing before they're shipped.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Gloria,
Well, do you think it's the mango? Sure sounds suspicious to me. BTW, I have always reacted majorly to poison ivy - seems I have only to look at it to get it LOL. And then MRT found me to be sensitive to cashews and mango. I understand how you feel about giving up mango - not only is it your only fruit, but it is one of the more nutritious ones, not to mention tasty. I haven't had one for almost 2 years, and I miss them! Keep us posted.
I hope the rash is improving. Also, when are you visiting New England? Any chance you might get a little farther south - to the mid-Atlantic area? Would love to meet up.
Love,
Polly
Well, do you think it's the mango? Sure sounds suspicious to me. BTW, I have always reacted majorly to poison ivy - seems I have only to look at it to get it LOL. And then MRT found me to be sensitive to cashews and mango. I understand how you feel about giving up mango - not only is it your only fruit, but it is one of the more nutritious ones, not to mention tasty. I haven't had one for almost 2 years, and I miss them! Keep us posted.
I hope the rash is improving. Also, when are you visiting New England? Any chance you might get a little farther south - to the mid-Atlantic area? Would love to meet up.
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Charlotte, Tex and Polly,
Thank you for your concerns.
I've never had poison ivy, so I don't know if I'd react strongly to it. I think my brothers did, though.
Tex, I did read that some people, only about 10%, don't react to it. I'm glad I've never encountered it because I probably would have reacted. I guess it's even worse than the itching I'm having.
I have eaten mangoes in several forms: jelly, frozen cubes, canned, fresh, dried, as sorbet and juice. I've never reacted to it before, and it tested as the safest fruit on the MRT test. I am
that this is a reaction to the green ripened fruit and/or to the urushiol.
The rash is still there, but the old spots are clearing up and the new spots are less numerous. The .5% corticosteriod ointment is helping a lot. Plus, I'm using Gold Bond medicated lotion and sometimes Alveeno, though it contains oatmeal. I'm still taking 25 mg. Benadryl at night and Claritin Redi-Tabs during the day. Something is helping because it's definitely more itchy at night when the ointment or antihistamine has worn off. I've had this rash for almost two weeks now. The mango reaction is supposed to last a week to two weeks, so if it is over in a few more days, that will be another convincing sign that urushiol has caused it.
I made some lime jello from fresh limes today so I can eat something that is tangy and cool while I'm missing my mangoes. Lime is low in histamines, so I'm hoping it will be OK.
Polly,
We're leaving tomorrow and taking the Canada route. I think the furthest south that we're travelling is Boston, then we're heading back to Illinois. So near and yet so far. I would love to get together sometime. Maybe we need a Potty People party again.
Gloria
Thank you for your concerns.
I've never had poison ivy, so I don't know if I'd react strongly to it. I think my brothers did, though.
Tex, I did read that some people, only about 10%, don't react to it. I'm glad I've never encountered it because I probably would have reacted. I guess it's even worse than the itching I'm having.
I have eaten mangoes in several forms: jelly, frozen cubes, canned, fresh, dried, as sorbet and juice. I've never reacted to it before, and it tested as the safest fruit on the MRT test. I am
that this is a reaction to the green ripened fruit and/or to the urushiol. The rash is still there, but the old spots are clearing up and the new spots are less numerous. The .5% corticosteriod ointment is helping a lot. Plus, I'm using Gold Bond medicated lotion and sometimes Alveeno, though it contains oatmeal. I'm still taking 25 mg. Benadryl at night and Claritin Redi-Tabs during the day. Something is helping because it's definitely more itchy at night when the ointment or antihistamine has worn off. I've had this rash for almost two weeks now. The mango reaction is supposed to last a week to two weeks, so if it is over in a few more days, that will be another convincing sign that urushiol has caused it.
I made some lime jello from fresh limes today so I can eat something that is tangy and cool while I'm missing my mangoes. Lime is low in histamines, so I'm hoping it will be OK.
Polly,
We're leaving tomorrow and taking the Canada route. I think the furthest south that we're travelling is Boston, then we're heading back to Illinois. So near and yet so far. I would love to get together sometime. Maybe we need a Potty People party again.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Gloria,
I hate to be a wet blanket, but please look at your creams and lotions carefully. If it were me (and it is!) I would not use Gold Bond Medicated lotion or Aveeno. Which Aveeno are you using? The soothing Relief (dark blue top) contained gluten the last time I checked. The current baby formula doesn't seem to (other than the potential to be in oats and Vit E -tocopherol acetate). They both have a number of chemicals that can cause allergic reactions.
Gold Bond medicated lotion:
Ingredients: Active Ingredients: Dimethicone (5%) and menthol (0.15%).
Inactive Ingredients: Water, glycerin, stearamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate, petrolatum, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, distearlydimonium chloride, ceteareth-20, propylene glycol, steareth-21, steareth-2, tocopheryl acetate, disodium edta, imidazolidinyl urea, propylparaben, methylparaben, triethanolamine and fragrance.
Aveeno Baby® Soothing Relief Moisture Cream Fragrance Free -- 8 oz
Ingredients: Water, glycerin, petrolatum, mineral oil, cetyl alcohol, dimethicone, Avena sativa (oat) kernel flour, carbomer, ceteareth-6, methylparaben, sodium citrate, tetrasodium EDTA stearyl alcohol, benzalkonium chloride, propylparaben, ethylparaben, PEG-25 soy sterol, benzaldehyde, hydrolyzed oats, butylene glycol, avena sativa (oat) kernel extract. May alos contain: sodium hydroxide, citric acid.
Regular Aveeno (green top) lotion seems safer:
Ingredients: Active Ingredient: Dimethicone (1.25%).
Inactive Ingredients: Avena sativa (oat) kernel flour, benzyl alcohol. cetyl alcohol, distearyldimonium chloride, glycerin, isopropyl palmitate, petrolatum, sodium chloride, water.
I've also never had posion ivy and my husband is SEVERELY allergic. I do most of the yard work now as a result!
My guess is, if you haven't had it by now, you're not allergic, but who wants to test that?
I hope you continue to see improvement. I'm using less steroid cream now as the rash is dissipating in some areas. I'm on day 2 of using Claritin Ready Tabs for the MC. Sadly, it doesn't seem to help the MC (yet), and it's not helping the itching much either. I'll give it s few more days...
I hate to be a wet blanket, but please look at your creams and lotions carefully. If it were me (and it is!) I would not use Gold Bond Medicated lotion or Aveeno. Which Aveeno are you using? The soothing Relief (dark blue top) contained gluten the last time I checked. The current baby formula doesn't seem to (other than the potential to be in oats and Vit E -tocopherol acetate). They both have a number of chemicals that can cause allergic reactions.
Gold Bond medicated lotion:
Ingredients: Active Ingredients: Dimethicone (5%) and menthol (0.15%).
Inactive Ingredients: Water, glycerin, stearamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate, petrolatum, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, distearlydimonium chloride, ceteareth-20, propylene glycol, steareth-21, steareth-2, tocopheryl acetate, disodium edta, imidazolidinyl urea, propylparaben, methylparaben, triethanolamine and fragrance.
Aveeno Baby® Soothing Relief Moisture Cream Fragrance Free -- 8 oz
Ingredients: Water, glycerin, petrolatum, mineral oil, cetyl alcohol, dimethicone, Avena sativa (oat) kernel flour, carbomer, ceteareth-6, methylparaben, sodium citrate, tetrasodium EDTA stearyl alcohol, benzalkonium chloride, propylparaben, ethylparaben, PEG-25 soy sterol, benzaldehyde, hydrolyzed oats, butylene glycol, avena sativa (oat) kernel extract. May alos contain: sodium hydroxide, citric acid.
Regular Aveeno (green top) lotion seems safer:
Ingredients: Active Ingredient: Dimethicone (1.25%).
Inactive Ingredients: Avena sativa (oat) kernel flour, benzyl alcohol. cetyl alcohol, distearyldimonium chloride, glycerin, isopropyl palmitate, petrolatum, sodium chloride, water.
I've also never had posion ivy and my husband is SEVERELY allergic. I do most of the yard work now as a result!
My guess is, if you haven't had it by now, you're not allergic, but who wants to test that?I hope you continue to see improvement. I'm using less steroid cream now as the rash is dissipating in some areas. I'm on day 2 of using Claritin Ready Tabs for the MC. Sadly, it doesn't seem to help the MC (yet), and it's not helping the itching much either. I'll give it s few more days...
Thanks, I can give it a couple of weeks. The first morning I woke up and felt extremely heavy and drowsy, but I was fine this morning. No dry mouth either like the Allegra, so I can keep it up for a bit. Although I think Polly reported much faster results...Zizzle, I think Claritin can take almost a week to show effect.
An update on my itchy bumps/rash:
I thought the rash was getting better, but I think all it was doing was finding new areas to spread. I had been depending on DH to tell me the status, but since it has spread to my stomach, shoulders, upper legs and other areas of my back, it's safe to say it's not retreating. I've had it for at least six weeks now.
I stopped eating mangoes for a week, but once I passed the time that the urushiol should have diminished, I resumed eating dried mangos for about six days. I was on vacation at the time and couldn't eat any other type. The rash wasn't going away, so I stopped eating any mango 10 days ago. I miss it terribly and the rash seems to be getting worse instead of better. There are little dried red heads left when an area finally seems to be improving, but then a new area flares.
I've made an appointment with a dermatologist for Wednesday. I decided to look at pictures of shingles tonight. Most pictures are unlike my rash, showing blisters which ooze like Chicken Pox. But a few resemble my skin condition: big, blotchy patches and small bumps. The itching is waking me up all night long and, of course bothers me during the day. My scalp has never stopped itching. While I'm scratching, it feels better, but once I stop, it almost burns. I'm wondering if this is shingles. I had the vaccine a year ago. Now I'm reading that the vaccine shouldn't be given to someone who is on an immune suppressant. Shingles can be minimized if detected early by taking the appropriate medication, but at six weeks, I'm past early detection.
Claritin seems to help the most, but my doctor said I shouldn't take more than one pill a day. I noticed that some with mast cell problems take more than one per day. Would it be safe to take more than one?
My BMs are back to normal since I've returned home. I was having problems on the trip, but I attribute them to the Finest Natural Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc pill I took daily during the trip to make my Freeda tablets last. Freeda was closed for two days because of the Jewish holidays and my supplements arrived a day after I left.
I've been applying cortisone creams, but I worry about overloading with cortisones, especially on my back.
Other than the nearly-unbearable itching, I feel fine and have no fever or any other noticable problems.
This is quite a mystery. If the dermatologist has no ideas, I guess I'll see an allergist next.
Gloria
I thought the rash was getting better, but I think all it was doing was finding new areas to spread. I had been depending on DH to tell me the status, but since it has spread to my stomach, shoulders, upper legs and other areas of my back, it's safe to say it's not retreating. I've had it for at least six weeks now.
I stopped eating mangoes for a week, but once I passed the time that the urushiol should have diminished, I resumed eating dried mangos for about six days. I was on vacation at the time and couldn't eat any other type. The rash wasn't going away, so I stopped eating any mango 10 days ago. I miss it terribly and the rash seems to be getting worse instead of better. There are little dried red heads left when an area finally seems to be improving, but then a new area flares.
I've made an appointment with a dermatologist for Wednesday. I decided to look at pictures of shingles tonight. Most pictures are unlike my rash, showing blisters which ooze like Chicken Pox. But a few resemble my skin condition: big, blotchy patches and small bumps. The itching is waking me up all night long and, of course bothers me during the day. My scalp has never stopped itching. While I'm scratching, it feels better, but once I stop, it almost burns. I'm wondering if this is shingles. I had the vaccine a year ago. Now I'm reading that the vaccine shouldn't be given to someone who is on an immune suppressant. Shingles can be minimized if detected early by taking the appropriate medication, but at six weeks, I'm past early detection.
Claritin seems to help the most, but my doctor said I shouldn't take more than one pill a day. I noticed that some with mast cell problems take more than one per day. Would it be safe to take more than one?
My BMs are back to normal since I've returned home. I was having problems on the trip, but I attribute them to the Finest Natural Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc pill I took daily during the trip to make my Freeda tablets last. Freeda was closed for two days because of the Jewish holidays and my supplements arrived a day after I left.
I've been applying cortisone creams, but I worry about overloading with cortisones, especially on my back.
Other than the nearly-unbearable itching, I feel fine and have no fever or any other noticable problems.
This is quite a mystery. If the dermatologist has no ideas, I guess I'll see an allergist next.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Grrr. I was hoping you would be posting to tell us all was well! I am sorry you are still dealing with this. Hopefully if the derm doesn't have any idea they will do a biopsy? Such a silly medical world we are in where the specialists have no idea! Sending you good thoughts and praying for healing! Thanks for the update! Susie
Gloria,
I'm so sorry you're still suffering. Based on your description, I'm even more convinced that we have the same rash. Pink to violet large splotches covered in small bumps that look like goosebumps. Mine also improves in one area, leaving the dry red/brown dots behind, only to migrate right next door. It's maddening. My lower scalp and neck have never stopped itching. They are a constant. I have new patches on both forearms now and my buttocks and lower back. The upper back rash is constant.
I find coconut oil offers some relief when I want to take a break from steroid creams. Dryness is a big part of the problem.
I do believe mine is Amyopathic Dermatomyositis because I have the hand signs and photo sensitivity to boot. The Other diagnoses I wondered about was papular mucinosis.
I believe the rash is caused by autoimmune inflammation of the small capillaries of the skin.
I'm so sorry you're still suffering. Based on your description, I'm even more convinced that we have the same rash. Pink to violet large splotches covered in small bumps that look like goosebumps. Mine also improves in one area, leaving the dry red/brown dots behind, only to migrate right next door. It's maddening. My lower scalp and neck have never stopped itching. They are a constant. I have new patches on both forearms now and my buttocks and lower back. The upper back rash is constant.
I find coconut oil offers some relief when I want to take a break from steroid creams. Dryness is a big part of the problem.
I do believe mine is Amyopathic Dermatomyositis because I have the hand signs and photo sensitivity to boot. The Other diagnoses I wondered about was papular mucinosis.
I believe the rash is caused by autoimmune inflammation of the small capillaries of the skin.
My doctors tell me the first line treatment for this and lupus skin rashes is Paquenil, an antimalarial. It's been offered to me several times but I'm still on the fence. It's not a guaranteed fix, and it could take months to start working. It also comes with a real risk of retinal detachment. Sigh.
Hi Gloria,
I'm sorry to hear that your rash continues to be so persistent.
Regarding off-label dosages of antihistamines, apparently some people take 8 to10 pills for recreational purposes, with no long-term adverse effects. Beyond that, for example taking 20 or 30 or more pills can lead to a fatal heart attack.
Symptoms vary by the individual, but the possible symptoms of an antihistamine overdose can include extreme fatigue, low blood pressure, agitation, blurred vision, coma, confusion, hallucinations, delirium, diarrhea, drowsiness, dry mouth, flushing of the face, inability to urinate, lack of sweat, fever, motor skill deficits, nausea, rapid heart rate, seizure, and unsteadiness, depending on the degree of overdose, and individual sensitivity.
You might be interested in the following reference that discusses the treatment of difficult cases of chronic urticaria:
But please read the entire article before you start using off-label doses.
The research article at the following link sort of throws a wet blanket on the theory of using increased doses, but we both know that we can't trust many of the "official" research reports that are published:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17042777
The first article does answer one question that has come up before on this board about the safety of long-term use of antihistamines:
I'm sorry to hear that your rash continues to be so persistent.
Regarding off-label dosages of antihistamines, apparently some people take 8 to10 pills for recreational purposes, with no long-term adverse effects. Beyond that, for example taking 20 or 30 or more pills can lead to a fatal heart attack.
Symptoms vary by the individual, but the possible symptoms of an antihistamine overdose can include extreme fatigue, low blood pressure, agitation, blurred vision, coma, confusion, hallucinations, delirium, diarrhea, drowsiness, dry mouth, flushing of the face, inability to urinate, lack of sweat, fever, motor skill deficits, nausea, rapid heart rate, seizure, and unsteadiness, depending on the degree of overdose, and individual sensitivity.
You might be interested in the following reference that discusses the treatment of difficult cases of chronic urticaria:
http://www.ukdctn.org/meetings/evidence ... t_Case.pdfThe recommended first line standard treatment is non–sedating antihistamines and they recommend if necessary increasing dosage up to fourfold (off -label dosage)
But please read the entire article before you start using off-label doses.
The research article at the following link sort of throws a wet blanket on the theory of using increased doses, but we both know that we can't trust many of the "official" research reports that are published:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17042777
The first article does answer one question that has come up before on this board about the safety of long-term use of antihistamines:
TexOff -label dosages of 2nd generation antihistamines : safety - generally assumed safe even in 3-4x licensed dosages on the basis of derivative evidence. (also off -label dosages of 1st generation antihistamines have been used for years without safety problems)
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I was just reading this article on the relationship between our guts and our skin.
http://chriskresser.com/the-gut-skin-co ... s-the-skin
http://chriskresser.com/the-gut-skin-co ... s-the-skin
Associations between gut disorders and skin conditions
Epidemiological evidence shows a clear association between gut problems and skin disorders. A recent report indicated that small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), a condition involving inappropriate growth of bacteria in the small intestine, is 10 times more prevalent in people with acne rosacea than in healthy controls, and that correction of SIBO in these individuals led to marked clinical improvement. (1) 14% of patients with ulcerative colitis and 24% of patients with Crohn’s disease have skin manifestations. (Interestingly enough, a study just came out showing that a drug normally used to treat psoriasis is also effective for Crohn’s disease.) Celiac disease also has cutaneous manifestations, such as dermatitis herpetiformis, which occurs in 1/4 of celiac sufferers. Celiacs also have increased frequency of oral mucosal lesions, alopecia and vitiligo. (2)