I am looking for a thread about skin issues. I cannot be the only one with this problem...
I think Zizzle was having problems with her skin, about the time I joined this board. I have no visible rash, but for the past couple of weeks my neck has itched very badly--to the point of distraction at times and I chalked it up to my usual dry Michigan weather skin, but the burn I get when I scratch or even rub my neck as well as the skin on my back tells me that I should ask somebody what that means since EVERYTHING seems to be related to MC. The way it feels seems to resemble dermatitis herpetiformis, but it really shows no outward signs of that except some redness.
I've always had very sensitive skin that is dry and maybe all that is wrong, but the burning sensation is not anything I've had before. Does anyone else have this? I'm not in front of my laptop--trying to find archived stuff on my I-phone is difficult. I'll try looking again in a little while after I've gotten out of bed.
Skin issue?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Skin issue?
Jane
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard
Hi Jane,
I too had that problem! Especially on the back of my neck. I found the problem was my shampoo and conditioner were causing the reaction. Once I switched to a gluten free shampoo, the itching and redness stopped. I buy Costco's Kirkland brand shampoo and conditioner. It's printed right on the label that it is gluten free. I haven't had a problem since.
Linda
I too had that problem! Especially on the back of my neck. I found the problem was my shampoo and conditioner were causing the reaction. Once I switched to a gluten free shampoo, the itching and redness stopped. I buy Costco's Kirkland brand shampoo and conditioner. It's printed right on the label that it is gluten free. I haven't had a problem since.
Linda
Hi Jane,
I hope you're not developing my skin problems. I have Amyopathic Dermatomyositis, which is just a scary term for what is technically lymphocytic dermatitis. It's an autoimmune disease where the lymphocytes attack the surface layers of my skin, much like my colon. Itchy, red rash on the neck and upper back are a characteristic sign (the "shawl sign"), but several other areas are usually also affected (red, bumpy knuckles, sun sensitivity, etc).
You could easily be reacting to shampoo, conditioner and hair products. I only use natural brands and avoid all parabens, benzoic acid/sodium benzoate, and other chemicals, not to mention wheat germ oil and other gluten-containing additives. If you have longer hair that touches your neck and back, that might be where to start.
On the other hand, skin rashes are associated with the "leaky gut"/intestinal permeability found in MC, so you may be reacting to a food. Dermatitis Herpertiformis would include small itchy blisters. Do you have that? My rash looks like sunburn, sometimes goosebumps on sunburn, but it rarely develops into blisters or bumps that ooze or scab.
People with my skin rash get the most relief by applying extra virgin coconut oil to the rash several times a day. I use a coconut oil body butter that I make on my entire body now, nothing else. It's 90% coconut oil with jojoba and olive oils mixed in. Hydrocortizone creams may also be helpful. If it's very itchy, an antihistamine like Claritin or Allegra may help, or Benadryl at night to help you sleep through the itching.
I hope you're not developing my skin problems. I have Amyopathic Dermatomyositis, which is just a scary term for what is technically lymphocytic dermatitis. It's an autoimmune disease where the lymphocytes attack the surface layers of my skin, much like my colon. Itchy, red rash on the neck and upper back are a characteristic sign (the "shawl sign"), but several other areas are usually also affected (red, bumpy knuckles, sun sensitivity, etc).
You could easily be reacting to shampoo, conditioner and hair products. I only use natural brands and avoid all parabens, benzoic acid/sodium benzoate, and other chemicals, not to mention wheat germ oil and other gluten-containing additives. If you have longer hair that touches your neck and back, that might be where to start.
On the other hand, skin rashes are associated with the "leaky gut"/intestinal permeability found in MC, so you may be reacting to a food. Dermatitis Herpertiformis would include small itchy blisters. Do you have that? My rash looks like sunburn, sometimes goosebumps on sunburn, but it rarely develops into blisters or bumps that ooze or scab.
People with my skin rash get the most relief by applying extra virgin coconut oil to the rash several times a day. I use a coconut oil body butter that I make on my entire body now, nothing else. It's 90% coconut oil with jojoba and olive oils mixed in. Hydrocortizone creams may also be helpful. If it's very itchy, an antihistamine like Claritin or Allegra may help, or Benadryl at night to help you sleep through the itching.
Well, here is the problem...it seems to be all the way around on my neck and down on my clavicle. If anything, there is just redness. My hair is fairly short. I have always had pretty reactive skin. I have been using coconut oil specifically on my neck and I think it has actually made it worse. I am allergic to coconut, but my acupuncturist said that I shouldn't have any problem with it on my skin. I've used it on my face and my face seems to love it, but not so my neck, clavicles or back. I suppose it could be my shampoo, but that doesn't really explain why my clavicle area is itchy and burning. There are definitely no blisters. I have eczema, but it is in my ears and is so annoying that I have to use a cortisone cream and or drops (because it is in the ear canal) to keep from losing my mind. I have random spots of it on my limbs. I have what is called numular eczema that makes it look more like ringworm. I've had that since childhood. You can imagine how some of my friends' mothers who observed it on my arms felt about me playing with their kids--my mother received more than one phone call about taking care of "that ringworm" your daughter has. 
Jane
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard
Jane,
I have very sensitive skin too. Never eczema, but I have dermographia (skin writing), and I get red bumps and burning skin whenever I sweat. My sister has granuloma annulare, which looks identical to ringworm, so I hear you. If you are allergic to coconut, I would stop applying it on your skin to see what happens. Maybe try calendula or jojoba oil instead? Shea butter? My rash is on my chest and shoulders too (The V sign). I have a patch on my left clavicle that itches as we speak! Ugh! I feel like my bra straps make it worse. Maybe you are reacting to something in your detergent? I hope you don't use fabric softener or fabric softener sheets - they are notorious for causing skin rashes, even the unscented varieties.
Are you allergic to nickel? I am, so necklaces and jewelry (even gold) can cuase the same type of rash.
I have very sensitive skin too. Never eczema, but I have dermographia (skin writing), and I get red bumps and burning skin whenever I sweat. My sister has granuloma annulare, which looks identical to ringworm, so I hear you. If you are allergic to coconut, I would stop applying it on your skin to see what happens. Maybe try calendula or jojoba oil instead? Shea butter? My rash is on my chest and shoulders too (The V sign). I have a patch on my left clavicle that itches as we speak! Ugh! I feel like my bra straps make it worse. Maybe you are reacting to something in your detergent? I hope you don't use fabric softener or fabric softener sheets - they are notorious for causing skin rashes, even the unscented varieties.
Are you allergic to nickel? I am, so necklaces and jewelry (even gold) can cuase the same type of rash.
1987 Mononucleosis (EBV)
2004 Hypomyopathic Dermatomyositis
2009 Lymphocytic Colitis
2010 GF/DF/SF Diet
2014 Low Dose Naltrexone
2004 Hypomyopathic Dermatomyositis
2009 Lymphocytic Colitis
2010 GF/DF/SF Diet
2014 Low Dose Naltrexone
My older sister and my son both have dermatographism. One of the reasons I am getting the gene test from Enterolabs is that my son has a lot of the maladies of this disease and if he does something about it early on, he may not be in such a predicament as this later. I stopped using the coconut oil over the weekend. I've been putting some of the cortisone ointment on my neck and it seems to feel better with that. My shampoo could be a culprit, as it has a million ingredients in it.
I make my own laundry detergent with borax, washing soda and fels naptha bar soap. I suppose to be safe, I could start putting vinegar in the rinse water.
When I was much younger (early twenties) and in nursing school, I had what my dermatologist back then called "winter itch" for lack of a better name. That winter was the worst winter I ever had. I had angry red rash all over and was very sore and itchy. I had to use equal parts of vaseline, mineral oil and vinegar on my skin before and after a warm bath. You can imagine how it destroyed my clothes,bed linen, bath towels, made the bathtub so slippery it was dangerous and my husband said that it was like sleeping with a salad every night.
Our son has the bright rosy cheeks that everyone always thought was so attractive and just part of our Irish heritage. If they only knew how much our "bright rosy cheeks" hurt during the cold weather months. I really cannot be out in a wind for more than about 5 minutes without getting windburn. Fortunately for my son he has whiskers to protect him somewhat these days. I gotta say the bright red checks with the bright blue eyes and dark hair, does make him very attractive, but the price he pays is not worth it!
I have to be a little careful about the band I wear on my watch, and I can't wear cheap earrings or they will cause my skin to necrose. I seem to usually react (allergically anyway) to most substances with hives. Very few symptoms of respiratory nature (unless I ignore the hives and then, I can start having problems with shortness of breath). I was way more reactive when pregnant than any other time. I had horrendous hives the Christmas before my daughter was born because I touched my parents real Christmas tree. Neither of my children has ever experienced going into the woods to cut down a tree. One cultural experience in Michigan that every child should have, but they don't seem to be to scarred by missing out.
I make my own laundry detergent with borax, washing soda and fels naptha bar soap. I suppose to be safe, I could start putting vinegar in the rinse water.
When I was much younger (early twenties) and in nursing school, I had what my dermatologist back then called "winter itch" for lack of a better name. That winter was the worst winter I ever had. I had angry red rash all over and was very sore and itchy. I had to use equal parts of vaseline, mineral oil and vinegar on my skin before and after a warm bath. You can imagine how it destroyed my clothes,bed linen, bath towels, made the bathtub so slippery it was dangerous and my husband said that it was like sleeping with a salad every night.
Our son has the bright rosy cheeks that everyone always thought was so attractive and just part of our Irish heritage. If they only knew how much our "bright rosy cheeks" hurt during the cold weather months. I really cannot be out in a wind for more than about 5 minutes without getting windburn. Fortunately for my son he has whiskers to protect him somewhat these days. I gotta say the bright red checks with the bright blue eyes and dark hair, does make him very attractive, but the price he pays is not worth it!
I have to be a little careful about the band I wear on my watch, and I can't wear cheap earrings or they will cause my skin to necrose. I seem to usually react (allergically anyway) to most substances with hives. Very few symptoms of respiratory nature (unless I ignore the hives and then, I can start having problems with shortness of breath). I was way more reactive when pregnant than any other time. I had horrendous hives the Christmas before my daughter was born because I touched my parents real Christmas tree. Neither of my children has ever experienced going into the woods to cut down a tree. One cultural experience in Michigan that every child should have, but they don't seem to be to scarred by missing out.
Jane
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard