Aaarrrrrrggggghhhhh

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 6:04 pm

Pardon me folks, but I am quite misirable. My arms have been itching for several days and yesterday I popped out a rash. Called Dr. and advised to take either Benadryl or Claritin until he saw me this afternoon. I chose Claritin wich seemed to help yesterday. It wasn't itching as badly and the redness was much improved.

Of course, he doesn't know what it is but is treating it anyway. If it's not gone or almost gone in two weeks he'll send me to a dermatologist.
His treatment - continue on Claritin, add Zantac (DRATS), and 2X a day use a steroid lotion (Betamethasone).

I've done all that this afternoon and my arms are itching worse than yesterday!!!

Personally, after looking on the "net", I think I might have Dermatitis Herpetiformis. If it doesn't improve enough over the next two weeks or if it returns after clearing up, I want a biopsy with a dermatologist. Mainly though, I want relief. I know that DH can be caused by gluten sensitivity.

Joana, does/did your rash on the elbows itch?

Mine is on both arms, upper and lower and also on the inside of the elbow.

Well, quite possibly I am over-reacting but it's hard not to with all this misirable itching.

I've read all the posts............Liz, hope your granddaughter has a great time................and Barbara, so glad you are online again. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip.

Love, Shirley

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:11 pm

Hi Shirley,

Well, this is a bummer! I have had DH in the past, and I can tell you that it is incredibly itchy. Miserable. Usually my rash occurs on the palms or between the fingers, but I have had it other places too.

Can you describe the rash a bit? Is it flat, blotchy and moves around? Or is it little clear fluid-filled bumps? Or is there pus in the bumps?

I know you try to avoid gluten as much as possible, but I'm wondering if you indulged more than usual over the holidays?

I'll keep my fingers crossed that the itching calms down - there is nothing worse than intense itching, IMHO. Must be kinda like Chinese water torture.

Love,

Polly

barbaranoela · Post by **barbaranoela** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:34 pm

Shirley------ it isnt poison ivy??? is it??? or maybe U got bit by a bug---

I know when I had a case of Eczema---it looked like little pus pockets--itchy as all hell and spread----this was waaaaaaaaaaaaaay back---never had it again but caught one of its relatives--Psoriasis!!!!

I just got a new salve,from the Derma., $50.00 FOR a TUBE
But she did say could be stress---

STRESS??? say I---whats that???

Let hear what this is---and take care--

luve Barbara

Post by **tex** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:50 pm

Shirley,

I used to get a rash on my elbows, and sometimes on the backs of my knees, and a time or two on my ankles. I'm not sure that it was DH, since it started appearing at random times, roughly thirty years before my other symptoms began. I can tell you that it did indeed itch like mad, and it has never reappeared, since I've been GF, (over 4 years now).

Love,
Tex

annie oakley · Post by **annie oakley** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:55 pm

Gee Shirley...I hope it gets better soon, sounds awful. Do let us know what it is exactly as soon as you know for sure. I have rashes but not as intense as what you have. Love Oma

harvest_table · Post by **harvest_table** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 1:31 am

starfire wrote: Joana, does/did your rash on the elbows itch?

No, my elbow rash has never itched but I have all along suspected DH and gluten intolerance although I've been GF for a couple of years, plus. It's been fading the last few months so maybe after time things are calming down for me.

Shirley, you sound like your going crazy itching! Hope you can find some relief SOON. I'd bet it's diet realted.

Much Love and hi to Bill,
Joanna

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 8:19 am

Polly,
You said "I have had DH in the past, and I can tell you that it is incredibly itchy"............

Whatever I have I can agree with that statement IN SPADES!!
"Can you describe the rash a bit?" Before I started with the Claritin my skin was bright red and now just the bumps themselves are red but not really bright red. The bumps are raised. I have not noticed any pus on the bumps but I think I felt some dampness once or twice when I couldn't help scratching. However I don't believe the majority of them have the clear fluid. I haven't noticed the bumps themselves moving around yet but the itching does.

Barbara, no it isn't poison ivy. I'm sure of that or hives either. The Dr. didn't mention stress, but he didn't mention anything actually, except that he didn't think it was "contact dermatitis" with it being localized on my arms.

In other words, I presume, it's caused by something I ingested. That's another reason I am afraid I have DH. I'd like to get a definite diagnosis though, that's why I'd like to see a dermatologist.

The itching is still there but not as bad as when I posted last night.

Well, gotta go..........Thanks everyone

Love, Shirley

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:57 am

Shirley,

Sure sounds like it could be DH.......or something that you ate. You're not on any new meds, are you? Glad it has calmed down some.

Love,

Polly

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:41 pm

Nope, no new meds and no new household products. I went through a pretty bad period earlier today. It seems to go back and forth.

Thanks for all the support, etc.

Love, Shirley

MICROSCOPIC COLITIS SUPPORT

Aaarrrrrrggggghhhhh

Aaarrrrrrggggghhhhh

Re: Aaarrrrrrggggghhhhh