Dealing with itchy bumps

[Gloria]

Thank you for your suggestions. I was babysitting my granddaughter yesterday from morn 'til bedtime and didn't get a chance to respond.

I'm pretty new to having a continual rash. When I've had any before, I could determine the source fairly quickly: medication, laundry soap, body butter with soy, and white Zest (green was fine). This is perplexing because I've changed all items that bothered me other times.

Tex, the first article you posted with the picture of a man with Urticaria on his neck looks like the rash on my back. Further reading told me there is no cure. Not another problem with no cure! It does look like increased dosages of antihistamines are recommended, but the first-generation ones which cause drowsiness are not. It's seemed odd to me that my compounded Benadryl hasn't helped, but this article seems to corroborate my experience.

I took two Claritins yesterday. I'll take one at bedtime again tonight, hoping for improvement. It's still itching, but DH seems to think it's looking better.

I don't expect miracles from the dermatologist, but at least he might be able to properly diagnose it. Is Urticaria well-known? I'm beginning to regret that my science background is so minimal.

Zizzle, I'm so sorry that you've been dealing with this for a long time. You are too young to spend the rest of your life with this maddening condition. I have consoled myself many times with the knowledge that I spent the first 62 years of my life as a perfectly normal person, able to eat whatever my heart desired. I figure I'm 1/5 of the way through the 25 years I expect to live with MC. I could live with 20 more years of an unfulfilling diet. People ate manna morning, noon and night for 40 years in the Old Testament, after all. (I have realized that they didn't have to watch everyone else around them enjoying pizzas and eclairs.) But I don't think I can live with 20 years of constant itching. I am grateful, however, that I don't have the excruciating pain that usually accompanies Shingles. I've heard some horror stories.

I will let you know what the dermatologist says on Wednesday.

Gloria

[tex]

Gloria,

FWIW, that's what my hide looks like if I allow just about any plant to touch it. Fortunately, it usually fades away after a day or so.

From Wikipedia (this article covers the topic so well that I just included all of it here, except the references):

Urticaria (from the Latin urtica, nettle ,[1] commonly referred to as hives, is a kind of skin rash notable for pale red, raised, itchy bumps. Hives are frequently caused by allergic reactions; however, there are many nonallergic causes. Most cases of hives lasting less than six weeks (acute urticaria) are the result of an allergic trigger. Chronic urticaria (hives lasting longer than six weeks) is rarely due to an allergy.

The majority of chronic hives cases have an unknown (idiopathic) cause. In perhaps as many as 30 to 40% of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria, it is caused by an autoimmune reaction. Acute viral infection is another common cause of acute urticaria (viral exanthem). Less common causes of hives include friction, pressure, temperature extremes, exercise, and sunlight.

Appearance of symptoms

Wheals (raised areas surrounded by a red base) from urticaria can appear anywhere on the surface of the skin. Whether the trigger is allergic or not, a complex release of inflammatory mediators, including histamine from cutaneous mast cells, results in fluid leakage from superficial blood vessels. Wheals may be pinpoint in size, or several inches in diameter.

Angioedema is a related condition (also from allergic and nonallergic causes), though fluid leakage is from much deeper blood vessels. Individual hives that are painful, last more than 24 hours, or leave a bruise as they heal are more likely to be a more serious condition called urticarial vasculitis. Hives caused by stroking the skin (often linear in appearance) are due to a benign condition called dermatographic urticaria.

Classification

Acute versus chronic

Acute urticaria is defined as the presence of evanescent wheals which completely resolve within six weeks.[2]:150 Acute urticaria becomes evident a few minutes after the person has been exposed to an allergen. The outbreak may last several weeks, but usually the hives are gone in six weeks. Typically, the hives are a reaction to food, but in about half the cases, the trigger is unknown. Common foods may be the cause, as well as bee or wasp stings, or skin contact with certain fragrances.[3]

Chronic urticaria (ordinary urticaria)[4] is defined as the presence of evanescent wheals which persist for greater than six weeks.[2]:150 Some of the more severe chronic cases have lasted more than 20 years. A survey indicated chronic urticaria lasted a year or more in more than 50% of sufferers and 20 years or more in 20% of them.[5]

Acute and chronic urticaria are visually indistinguishable.

By cause

Urticaria can also be classified by the purported causative agent. Many different substances in the environment may cause urticaria, including medications, food and physical agents.
Drug-induced urticaria

Drugs that have caused allergic reactions evidenced as urticaria include dextroamphetamine,[6] aspirin, ibuprofen, penicillin, clotrimazole, sulfonamides, anticonvulsants, and antidiabetic drugs. The antidiabetic sulphonylurea glimepiride (trade name Amaryl), in particular, has been documented to induce allergic reactions manifesting as urticaria. Drug-induced urticaria has been known to have an effect on severe cardiorespiratory failure.
Urticaria by infection or environmental agent

Urticaria can be a complication and symptom of a parasitic infection, such as fascioliasis (Fasciola hepatica) and ascariasis (Ascaris lumbricoides).[citation needed]

The rash that develops from poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac contact is commonly mistaken for urticaria. This rash is caused by contact with urushiol and results in a form of contact dermatitis called urushiol-induced contact dermatitis. Urushiol is spread by contact, but can be washed off with a strong grease- or oil-dissolving detergent and cool water and rubbing ointments.

Dermatographic urticaria

Main article: Dermatographic urticaria

Dermatographic urticaria (also known as dermatographism or "skin writing") is marked by the appearance of weals or welts on the skin as a result of scratching or firm stroking of the skin. Seen in 4–5% of the population, it is one of the most common types of urticaria,[7] in which the skin becomes raised and inflamed when stroked, scratched, rubbed, and sometimes even slapped.[8]

The skin reaction usually becomes evident soon after the scratching, and disappears within 30 minutes. Dermographism is a common form of chronic hives. Dermatographism is the most common form of a subset of chronic hives, acknowledged as `physical hives`.

It stands in contrast to the linear reddening that does not itch seen in healthy people who are scratched. In most cases, the cause is unknown, although it may be preceded by a viral infection, antibiotic therapy, or emotional upset. Dermographism is diagnosed by taking a tongue blade and drawing it over the skin of the arm or back. The hives should develop within a few minutes. Unless the skin is highly sensitive and reacts continually, treatment is not needed. Taking antihistamines can reduce the response in cases that are annoying to the patient.
Pressure or delayed pressure

This type of urticaria can occur right away, precisely after a pressure stimulus or as a deferred response to sustained pressure being enforced to the skin. In the deferred form, the hives only appear after about six hours from the initial application of pressure to the skin. Under normal circumstances, these hives are not the same as those witnessed with most urticariae. Instead, the protrusion in the affected areas is typically more spread out. The hives may last from eight hours to three days. The source of the pressure on the skin can happen from tight fitted clothing, belts, clothing with tough straps, walking, leaning against an object, standing, sitting on a hard surface, etc. The areas of the body most commonly affected are the hands, feet, the trunk, the buttocks, legs and the face. Although this appears to be very similar to dermatographism, the cardinal difference is the swelled skin areas do not become visible quickly and tend to last much longer. This form of the skin disease is, however, rare.

Cholinergic or stress

Main article: Cholinergic urticaria

This form of urticaria is fairly widespread and occurs after exercise, sweating, stress, or any activity leading to a warming of the core body temperature, such as warm or hot baths or showers. The hives produced are typically smaller than the classic hives. In severe cases, hundreds of tiny, red, itchy spots appear on the skin. The red spots manifest rather quickly and remain for about 60 to 90 minutes on average. It precisely becomes marked as multiple, small, 2- to 3-mm red hives on the upper trunk and arms, although it can occur from the neck to the thighs. Cholinergic urticaria (CU)is known to cause itching, tingling, burning and heating-up of the skin.

Histamine is believed to be discharged in response to stimulation by the parasympathetic nervous system. CU is diagnosed by historical measures and also multiplying the hives under certain conditions. Several times, the patient is asked to exercise by jogging instead of riding a stationary bike and the time it takes for hives to develop is noted. CU can be treated by limiting the duration of strenuous exercise. This type responds well to hydroxyzine, an antihistamine. However, the principal side effect of sleepiness is often not tolerated well. Standing under a shower of hot water may cause a release of histamine throughout the body, exhausting histamine stores and causing a 24-hour period for histamine levels to return to normal.

Cold-induced

Further information: Chronic cold urticaria

The cold type of urticaria is caused by exposure of the skin to extreme cold, damp and windy conditions; it occurs in two forms. The rare form is hereditary and becomes evident as hives all over the body 9 to 18 hours after cold exposure. The common form of cold urticaria demonstrates itself with the rapid onset of hives on the face, neck, or hands after exposure to cold. Cold urticaria is common and lasts for an average of five to six years. The population most affected is young adults, between 18 and 25 years old. Many people with the condition also suffer from dermographism and cholinergic urticaria.

Severe reactions can be seen with exposure to cold water; swimming in cold water is the most common cause of a severe reaction. This can cause a massive discharge of histamine, resulting in low blood pressure, fainting, shock and even loss of life. Cold urticaria is diagnosed by dabbing an ice cube against the skin of the forearm for 1 to 5 minutes. A distinct hive should develop if a patient suffers cold Urticaria. This is different than the normal redness that can be seen in people without cold Urticaria. Patients with cold Urticaria need to learn to protect themselves from a hasty drop in body temperature. Regular antihistamines are not generally efficacious. One particular antihistamine, cyproheptadine (Periactin), has been found to be useful. The tricyclic antidepressant doxepin has also been found to be an effective blocking agent of histamine discharge. Finally, a medication named ketotifen, which keeps mast cells from discharging histamine, has also been employed with widespread success.

Heat-induced

This rare form of urticaria is triggered by the continued application of heat on the skin. Hives begin to appear within two to five minutes on the area of the skin exposed to heat. The hives, however, generally do not last more than an hour.

Solar urticaria

This form of the disease occurs on areas of the skin exposed to the sun; the condition becomes evident within minutes of exposure. After the individual is no longer exposed to the sun, though, the condition starts to weaken within a few minutes to a few hours, and hardly ever lasts longer than 24 hours. Solar urticaria is classified into six different types, depending upon the wavelength of light involved. Since glass absorbs light with a wavelength of 320 nm and below, people suffering from solar urticaria in response to wavelengths of less than 320 nm are protected by glass.

Water-induced

Main article: Water urticaria

This type of urticaria is also termed rare, and occurs upon contact with water. The response is not temperature-dependent and the skin appears similar to cholinergic form of the disease. The appearance of hives is within one to 15 minutes of contact with the water, and can last from 10 minutes to two hours. The hives that last for 10 to 120 minutes do not seem to be stimulated by histamine discharge like the other physical hives. Most researchers believe this condition is actually skin sensitivity to additives in the water, such as chlorine. Water urticaria is diagnosed by dabbing tap water and distilled water to the skin and observing the gradual response. Aquagenic urticaria is treated with capsaicin (Zostrix) administered to the chafed skin. This is the same treatment used for shingles. Antihistamines are of questionable benefit in this instance, since histamine is not the causative factor.

Exercise urticaria

Main article: Exercise urticaria

This condition was first distinguished in 1980. People with exercise urticaria (EU) experience hives, itchiness, shortness of breath and low blood pressure five to 30 minutes after beginning exercise. These symptoms can progress to shock and even sudden death. Jogging is the most common exercise to cause EU, but it is not induced by a hot shower, fever, or with fretfulness. This differentiates EU from cholinergic urticaria.

EU sometimes occurs only when someone exercises within 30 minutes of eating particular foods, such as wheat or shellfish. For these individuals, exercising alone or eating the injuring food without exercising produces no symptoms. EU can be diagnosed by having the patient exercise and then observing the symptoms. This method must be used with caution and only with the appropriate resuscitative measures hand. EU can be differentiated from cholinergic urticaria by the hot water immersion test. In this test, the patient is immersed in water at 43°C (109.4°F). Someone with EU will not develop hives, while a person with cholinergic urticaria will develop the characteristic small hives, especially on the neck and chest.

The immediate symptoms of this uncanny type are treated with antihistamines, epinephrine and airway support. Taking antihistamines prior to exercise may be effective. Ketotifen is acknowledged to stabilise mast cells and prevent histamine release, and has been effective in treating this hives disorder. Avoiding exercise or foods that cause the mentioned symptoms is very important. In particular circumstances, tolerance can be brought on by regular exercise, but this must be under medical supervision.

Food

The most common food allergies in adults are shellfish and nuts. The most common food allergies in children are shellfish, nuts, peanuts, eggs, wheat, and soy. Patients uncommonly have more than two true food allergies. Overabundance of 'acid' in the diet has been shown to be a cause. Vitamin pills containing large quantities of vitamin C plus too many fruit items, wine, etc., can all overload the blood system. Reduction of acid intake may take five days or more to completely remove the hives.[citation needed] A less common cause is exposure to certain bacteria, such as Streptococcus species or possibly Helicobacter pylori.[9]

Related conditions

Angioedema

Angioedema is similar to urticaria,[10] but in angioedema, the swelling occurs in a lower layer of the dermis than in urticaria,[11] as well as in the subcutis. This swelling can occur around the mouth, in the throat, in the abdomen, or in other locations. Urticaria and angioedema sometimes occur together in response to an allergen, and is a concern in severe cases, as angioedema of the throat can be fatal.

Vibratory angioedema

This very rare form of angioedema develops in reply to contact with vibration. In vibratory angioedema, symptoms develop within two to five minutes after contact with vibration and dissolve after about an hour. Patients with this disorder do not suffer from dermographism or pressure urticaria. Vibratory angioedema is diagnosed by administering a laboratory vortex to the forearm for four minutes. Speedy swelling of the whole forearm extending into the upper arm is also noted later. The principal treatment is avoidance of vibratory stimulants. Antihistamines have also been proven helpful.

Pathophysiology

See also: List of human leukocyte antigen alleles associated with cutaneous conditions

The skin lesions of urticarial disease are caused by an inflammatory reaction in the skin, causing leakage of capillaries in the dermis, and resulting in an edema which persists until the interstitial fluid is absorbed into the surrounding cells.

Urticaria is caused by the release of histamine and other mediators of inflammation (cytokines) from cells in the skin. This process can be the result of an allergic or nonallergic reaction, differing in the eliciting mechanism of histamine release.

Allergic urticaria

Histamine and other proinflammatory substances are released from mast cells in the skin and tissues in response to the binding of allergen-bound IgE antibodies to high-affinity cell surface receptors. Basophils and other inflammatory cells are also seen to release histamine and other mediators, and are thought to play an important role, especially in chronic urticarial diseases.

Autoimmune urticaria

In the past decade, many cases of chronic idiopathic urticaria have been noted to be the result of an autoimmune trigger. For example, roughly one-third of patients with chronic urticaria spontaneously develop autoantibodies directed at the receptor FcεRI located on skin mast cells. Chronic stimulation of this receptor leads to chronic hives. Patients often have other autoimmune conditions, such as autoimmune thyroiditis.

Infections

Hive-like rashes commonly accompany viral illnesses, such as the common cold. They usually appear three to five days after the cold has started, and may even appear a few days after the cold has resolved.

Nonallergic urticaria

Mechanisms other than allergen-antibody interactions are known to cause histamine release from mast cells. Many drugs, for example morphine, can induce direct histamine release not involving any immunoglobulin molecule. Also, a diverse group of signaling substances, called neuropeptides, have been found to be involved in emotionally induced urticaria. Dominantly inherited cutaneous and neurocutaneous porphyrias (porphyria cutanea tarda, hereditary coproporphyria, variegate porphyria and erythropoietic protoporphyria) have been associated with solar urticaria. The occurrence of drug-induced solar urticaria may be associated with porphyrias. This may be caused by IgG binding, not IgE.

Dietary histamine poisoning

This is termed scombroid food poisoning. Ingestion of free histamine released by bacterial decay in fish flesh may result in a rapid-onset, allergic-type symptom complex which includes urticaria. However, the urticaria produced by scombroid is reported not to include wheals.[12]

Stress and chronic idiopathic urticaria

Chronic idiopathic urticaria has been anecdotally linked to stress since the 1940s.[13] Aa large body of evidence demonstrates an association between this condition and both poor emotional well-being[14] and reduced health-related quality of life.[15] A link between stress and this condition has also been shown.[16] A recent study has demonstrated an association between stressful life events (e.g. bereavement, divorce, etc.) and chronic idiopathic urticaria [17] and also an association between post-traumatic stress and chronic idiopathic urticaria.[18]

Management

Chronic urticaria can be difficult to treat. No guaranteed treatments or means of controlling attacks are available, and some subpopulations are treatment-resistant, with medications spontaneously losing their effectiveness and requiring new medications to control attacks. It can be difficult to determine appropriate medications, since some, such as loratadine, require a day or two to build up to effective levels, and the condition is intermittent and outbreaks typically clear up without any treatment.

Most treatment plans for urticaria involve being aware of one's triggers, but this can be difficult, since several forms of urticaria are known and people often exhibit more than one type. Also, since symptoms are often idiopathic, a clear trigger is often unknown. If triggers can be identified, then outbreaks can often be managed by limiting exposure to them.

Allergy tests

Physicians can rarely determine any particular cause of disease for chronic urticaria.[19] In some cases, patients or doctors come to request regular extensive allergy testing over a long period of time in hopes of getting new insight.[20][21] No evidence shows regular allegy testing results in identification of a problem or relief for persons with chronic urticaria.[20][21] Regular allergy testing for persons with chronic urticaria is not recommended.[19]
Antihistamines

Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine may be used.[22] The benefit of H2 receptor antagonists such as ranitidine is poorly supported by the evidence.[23]

Other

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as doxepin, also are often potent H1 and H2 antagonists and may have a role in therapy, although side effects limit their use. For very severe outbreaks, an oral corticosteroid such as prednisone is sometimes prescribed. However, this form of treatment is controversial because of the extensive side effects common with corticosteroids, and as such, is not a recommended long-term treatment option. For acute urticaria, some topical creams, such as hydrocortisone, fluocinonide, or desonide, can also be prescribed to relieve itching. To boost relief for severe anaphylactic urticaria, a dermatologist will also administer steroid shots intramuscularly.

As of 2008, an Australian company is performing clinical trials with an analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone called afamelanotide (formerly CUV1647),[24] for the treatment of solar urticaria,[25][26] a type of urticaria that develops in response to exposure to specific wavelengths of light.[27]

Therapy-refractory cases with urticaria may sometimes respond to unusual drugs, such as dapsone.[28]

Tex

[Gloria]

Tex,

DH just told me that the picture looks like it, but so did one I found for shingles and another I found for the reaction to Urushiol. Sigh. Now I'm thinking that the dermatologist won't have a clue.

Gloria

[tex]

Gloria,

I edited my last post and added a bunch of stuff. It might help to review the information in it before visiting a dermatologist. All the links in it seem to work properly, if you want to read more detail about some of the types.

Tex

[Zizzle]

Gloria,
Both my MIL and co-worker have chronic "idiopathic" urticaria and angioedema. My MIL's tends to happen on a every 7 years cycle and can last a year. When she's flaring, hives get worse with pressure and heat. The main difference between her hives and my rash is that hives come and go. They may be chronic, but the hives themselves change shape, size, and location all the time. My rash is the same most of the time...until it migrates. My bumps are also much smaller than typical hives, and more raised and dry.

I have dermographism hives when I scratch and cholinergic hives when I sweat. These come and go very quickly and don't alter the texture and moisture-level of my skin the way this rash does.

I did a lot of research for my MIL and determined her hives (and my co-worker's) are likely caused by Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which they both have. One woman in Italy had her thyroid removed and her chronic hives resolved for good. Treatment for chronic hives involves a cocktail of daily Zyrtec, Allegra, Doxepin, and sometimes cyclosporine. I couldn't do it. I'd be a zombie.

My MIL has been gluten free for almost a year now (for GI upset). I hope this stops her hives for good too.

I was wondering...they make cromolyn sodium nasal sprays for hay fever and gastrocrom for GI mast cell issues. Is there an itch cream made of mast cell stabilizers??

[Zizzle]

LOL. I googled "Migrating rash" and came cross this MAJOR worldwide worm infection that I'd never heard of. Read the symptoms and you might think it's the cause of MC! I lived in tropical countries growing up...hmmm. Of course I don't have this anal rash they speak of...

http://dermnetnz.org/arthropods/strongyloidiasis.html

[tex]

Is there an itch cream made of mast cell stabilizers??

Corticosteroid creams, ointments, lotions, etc., suppress inflammation by decreasing the number of mast cells.

Tex

[Zizzle]

Tex,
I'm thinking of an alternative to steroid creams, for those of us who need daily, long-term support. I know some people with mastocytosis make their own cream with Cromolyn Sodium powder or nasal spray. Compounding pharmacies can make them too.

http://mastopedia.com/tiki-index.php?pa ... sto+Lotion

I appears 4% Cromolyn Sodium cream has been studied for itching caused by renal disease. I wonder if MC-related itching and rashes are caused by a similar mechanism, namely too much junk getting in the blood that shouldn't be there?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22732382

I also note than my topical allergy to nickel can become a systemic one. I wonder if heavy metal testing would be warranted in my case to rule this out?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22652902

I also note that Protopic Cream (Tacrolimus) ointment is viewed as a safer alternative to steroid creams. Should we be considering it?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12963912

And what about low dose Naltrexone? I know some members have used it for MC. Not sure about their results, but it appears to work on pruritis of multiple causes.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22732382


Leaving no stone unturned...

[Gloria]

I saw the dermotologist yesterday. It went as I expected. He asked the usual questions about my laundry soap, shampoo and facial/bath soap. I told him I switched all of them after the itching began and hadn't seen any improvement. He pretty much shrugged his shoulders and began writing a script for the same topical ointment that I've been using with little results. I brought the ointment and pulled it out of a bag and told him it wasn't helping much, so he prescribed a different one. My existing ointment is leftover from DH and is at least 7 years old, so maybe it's lost it's potency. He also prescribed a lotion to dab on my itchy head bumps.

I asked him if he knew about mast cells. He said he did. I mentioned that I'd been eating a low-histamine diet, and wondered if this could be related to excess mast cells. He said he didn't have any idea what foods were high in histamines. Sigh. Then he said I couldn't have a mast cell problem because I wasn't having flushing. At that point I gave up and just waited for the script. No point in discussing any suspect food with him.

DH continues to tell me it's getting better (he's been saying that for six weeks now), but I suspect that the old spots clear up and new ones appear. I'm hoping it's getting better, though. The doctor said that the cortisone ointment shouldn't make my osteoporosis worse and Entocort didn't give me osteoporosis, either. Then he told me there are medications I could take for it; he's personally taking Fosamax. I didn't tell him I've been there, done that. He was acting kind of weird anyway. Every time I said something to him, he looked up and said "You're making me put my thumb in my mouth." DH said he was telling me to stop talking while he was writing. Silly me, I'm interested in knowing why I have this. I eventually just kept quiet, took the script, and left.

The hardest part is to try to avoid scratching. Both doctors said that scratching irritates and spreads the histamines. I can resist during the day, but every night I wake up and start scratching like mad. The ointment and Claritin seem to wear off at about 3:30 a.m.

One nice thing - the double dose of Claritin has been helping my MC. I'm having perfect Normans. I was having Norman pieces before, so I've been close. It would be nice if I could reduce Entocort as a result. I'm on a 2-2-1 rotation right now.

Time to apply more ointment and go to bed.

Gloria

[Gabby]

Hi Gloria
I'm so sorry to learn that you are suffering with itching. I know first hand how awful it can be. I have found that California Baby Calendula Cream is very soothing for my itchy skin. It helps when I use it prior to scratching. Once I have scratched it is too late for this product.

When I had shingles years ago, I tried every anti-itch product on the store shelves and the only one that gave me relief was Neosporin "with pain relief", which is Pramoxine HCL, a topical analgesic. It took away that driving desire to scratch and would help even after scratching to take the edge off so that I could sleep.

Hope you get some relief soon!

[Zizzle]

Ugh, sorry about the dermatology visit. They are probably several steps worse than GIs, caring more about beauty treatments than real medicine. Sigh. I do agree that scratching makes it worse, perpetuating the cycle. I've noticed I can CREATE the rash simply by scratching or rubbing the tender, red skin on my forearms. A few rubs and the bumps appear, and of course, worse itching.

I can't remember if you have issues with coconut oil, but it's been a huge help for me. I can skip a couple days of cortisone cream if I apply good amounts of coconut oil after the shower.

Wishing you real improvement...

[tex]

he's personally taking Fosamax

At least he practices what he preaches — gotta give him credit for that. But wow! . . . that's kind of scary. He of all people should know better than to use that stuff.

the double dose of Claritin has been helping my MC. I'm having perfect Normans.

Well that's some good news, to say the least. If that's any indication of things to come, maybe after a while your overall inflammation level will subside and take the rash with it. We can hope so, at least.

Tex

[Fish2575]

I agree with Tex's optimism. I know that when my bowels return to Normans my rashes go away about 3-5 days later. Prayers for you! Susie

[Gloria]

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone!

My skin is looking better today and I haven't started itching until this evening. I think I'm getting over the hump! We'll see what happens when I'm sleeping.

Zizzle,
I used to be able to eat coconut, but one day I decided to make coconut pancakes (they were terrible). Since then, I've had reactions when I eat it. I'm afraid to use it as a lotion for that reason. Once things settle down, I might try again.

I did eat 1/3 of a banana a few days ago and I didn't have any reaction. Whoo, hoo! Maybe I can eat a little banana now and then. I picked up a 50 ct. box of Claritin Redi Tabs at Sam's Club. I think I'll be taking it for a while.

Gloria

[Martha]

I seem to have missed reading this thread for quite some time.

Gloria, I'm so sorry that you're having such problems with the rash, and that the dermatologist wasn't any help. Maybe not unexpected, but disappointing nonetheless.

Love,
Martha