Full Body Rash! Now With Rare Disease!

Wezoin

I've just noticed a rash has developed over pretty much my entire body (except legs and arms) and I'm not sure exactly why. I did just recently change body wash (to Axe) so I figured that was it. Theres this body wash from England I use (Simple) because I have quite sensitive skin. Anyway, with this kinda thing its either hit or miss for me. So now I'm covered in this rash, and have stopped using the Axe and gone back to Simple.

I'm pretty sure if I just continue like this it will eventually go away, but I'm no doctor so I'm not sure.

Anyway, couple questions.

1) Is there any real possibility that this could grow into a permanent problem? (Like psoriasys or whatever its called)

2) Any estimate at how long it'd probably take to disappear?

3) Any ways to speed up the process?

cooljammer00

a doctor could tell you what it is.

but um...change your sheets? use alcohol on the rashy bits?

Raggaholic

A doc friend once told me that skin rashes are the worst thing to try to help people with over the phone because no one ever describes them the way he needs them described.

That aside, it's probably a reaction to the body wash. Give it some time and see if it goes away.

Hocky27

I am pretty sure you cant get psoriasys just from having used a different body wash. Just go back to using Simple and it should probably go away by itself within a relatively short amount of time.

DevoutlyApathetic

Hocky27 wrote:

I am pretty sure you cant get psoriasys just from having used a different body wash.

You're wrong and you're right. If you've got any predisposition to psoriasis skin irritation can lead to an outbreak. It can also not go away until you get medical help.

If you've got health insurance you really should go see your doctor now. Seeing a dermatologist usually involves a huge lead time.

Einhander

My sister told me once that she got a really bad body rash one time when she used a new brand of laundry soap. So, if you've changed any kind of soap right around the time it started, you might want to consider that as well.

Wezoin

Alright, thanks guys. And as for the inquiry about health insurance, I'm in Canada, and while I dont think a dermatologist is covered by it I'm pretty sure my GP would know something about it. I'll see what I can organize in the way of an appointment then.

I dunno if this helps any, but I found a pic online of what they look like



It's mostly concentrated on my neck/shoulders/upper chest though, as opposed to right down to the stomach.

Szechuanosaurus

Um...definitely go and see a doctor. It could just be your body wash, but that's pretty extreme, even just on the neck and chest. I mean, the picture of what you say it looks like comes from a website about psoriasis.

Plus, it could even not be related to the body wash. It could be something like chicken pox (did you ever have chicken pox or measles as a child?) or a fungal infection.

In the meantime, get an over the counter dermatological cream and switch back to your original brand of shower wash. If it isn't anything more extreme than a reaction to axe then it should clear up in a couple of days.

DevoutlyApathetic

Szechuanosaurus wrote:

In the meantime, get an over the counter dermatological cream and switch back to your original brand of shower wash. If it isn't anything more extreme than a reaction to axe then it should clear up in a couple of days.

DANGER! WILL ROBINSON DANGER!

I'm not certain what you're referring to as a dermatological cream here but it what it says to me is hydrocortisone or other OTC topical steroids. These are (potentially) what you'll be using if it's actually psoriasis but if it's a infection of some kind it could do wonderful and beautiful things for whatever is infecting your skin. It'd be like laying down a welcome mat for the little beasties.

I'd be shocked if Canada doesn't cover non-cosmetic dermatology. It's your country though so you probably know that better than I do.

Corvus

IIRC from the one time I had to go to one, a visit to a dermatologist is covered in Canada, but you may need a referral from your GP. It was a long time ago, so my memory could be faulty, but I don't remember any bill or being asked for my extended benefits information (I was covered by my parent's health benefits at the time).

I'd do the "doctor now!" routine, but you've already said you're going to make an appointment.

Szechuanosaurus

DevoutlyApathetic wrote:

Szechuanosaurus wrote:

In the meantime, get an over the counter dermatological cream and switch back to your original brand of shower wash. If it isn't anything more extreme than a reaction to axe then it should clear up in a couple of days.

DANGER! WILL ROBINSON DANGER!

I'm not certain what you're referring to as a dermatological cream here but it what it says to me is hydrocortisone or other OTC topical steroids. These are (potentially) what you'll be using if it's actually psoriasis but if it's a infection of some kind it could do wonderful and beautiful things for whatever is infecting your skin. It'd be like laying down a welcome mat for the little beasties.

I'd be shocked if Canada doesn't cover non-cosmetic dermatology. It's your country though so you probably know that better than I do.

I left that deliberately vague as a pharmacist should be better able to recommend a suitable topical than me. An antiseptic cream like Savlon isn't going to do any harm.

JohnnyCache

There are a couple of disgusting bugs that live in mattresses and such that can do that sort of thing.

You don't even have to live in filth for that to be a problem - one time a friend of mine got them in his apt and in turned out the guy next door was just some sort of disgusting comic-book-guy style shut in with 2 inches of fuzz over his whole place and the bed bugs (which do, in fact, bite) were coming from there.

Dark Moon

I believe non-cosmetic dermatology is free up here, but requires a referral from your GP to get an appointment, as it is with most specialists. You'd best be booking an appointment to see your doctor soon, as those specialists can be damn busy.

Sarcastro

Most people who connect a recent rash (ie allergic reaction) to a specific product in their lives are correct, so its probably the body wash.

Other things that come to mind for such a thing are medicinal allergies (if you started taking an anti-biotics or got hooked on a new energy drink recently, stop and chat with your doc), insect bites ( a night passed out in the sand for example, could result in that pic you posted), and over exposure to the sun.

If it itches, cortisone and calomine (that pink chicken pox stuff) are the way to be, if it burns, try cold cream, but avoid the ones containing lanolin, with can make the itching worse.

It's doubtful anything would speed up the healing process, but half a cup of baking soda in the bath helps out with itching (See Also: poison ivy, bedbug bites and chicken pox) while you wait.

Wezoin

So, I'm still working on the whole Doctor's Appointment thing, but in the meantime I realised I just got a new set of pillows around the time this rash started popping up too. So I'm washing all my sheets just incase the pillow cases they came in were dirty/the rest incase im dirty.

Szechuanosaurus

Wezoin wrote:

So, I'm still working on the whole Doctor's Appointment thing, but in the meantime I realised I just got a new set of pillows around the time this rash started popping up too. So I'm washing all my sheets just incase the pillow cases they came in were dirty/the rest incase im dirty.

What are the pillows stuffed with? It could be that you are allergic to them if they are stuffed with something different from your old pillows like duck down.

Serphimera

That looks painfull!

While I am 99% sure it's the body wash, I think you should take a closer look at all aspects of your life, just in case. New sheets, definitely change or get rid of them, at least until the rash goes away. Any new foods, detergent, tried a new restaurant lately? etc. Basically anything that goes on or in your body, or comes into contact with anything that goes on or in your body--think about it.

See your doctor ASAP. And don't scratch it.

crake

Your GP will know of dermatologists that are covered by OHIP. (never be afraid to ask for anything "crazy" like that - there's always someone in some profession who is OHIP covered) Probably have to travel an hour to get to them, but they're covered.

Since you already have sensitive skin, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was the axe crap. Wash your sheets if you haven't already - some of it will have rubbed off on them. (if you've recently changed detergents, go back to your old one) Couldn't hurt to throw your clothes through another round of washing too.

You've got some big spots on that rash, so the potential for scaring is there. I mean it'll all probably go away on it's own, but you should really see the doctor for a cream to help the healing and thus reduce scaring. (I doubt you need to go to a dermo for this)

Wezoin

Szechuanosaurus wrote:

Wezoin wrote:

So, I'm still working on the whole Doctor's Appointment thing, but in the meantime I realised I just got a new set of pillows around the time this rash started popping up too. So I'm washing all my sheets just incase the pillow cases they came in were dirty/the rest incase im dirty.

What are the pillows stuffed with? It could be that you are allergic to them if they are stuffed with something different from your old pillows like duck down.

yeah these ones are those memory foam things, Im gonna leave them off my bed for a few nights and see how it goes. Also, my grandma is trying to get me to rub polysporin complete on it, any chance this could do bad?

DevoutlyApathetic

Wezoin wrote:

Also, my grandma is trying to get me to rub polysporin complete on it, any chance this could do bad?

How long until the Doctor's appointment?

Polysporin looks like a collection of antibiotic's in a suspension of oils (Neosporin is what I'm familiar with it as.) If it's a bacterial infection, that should contain something that the microbes really don't like. The only downside I'm seeing is dumping more foreign stuff on your skin might piss it off more if this is just some kind of allergic response.

I probably wouldn't use the stuff and let the doctor handle it. You don't really think you've got an infection, right?

Wezoin

DevoutlyApathetic wrote:

Wezoin wrote:

Also, my grandma is trying to get me to rub polysporin complete on it, any chance this could do bad?

How long until the Doctor's appointment?

Polysporin looks like a collection of antibiotic's in a suspension of oils (Neosporin is what I'm familiar with it as.) If it's a bacterial infection, that should contain something that the microbes really don't like. The only downside I'm seeing is dumping more foreign stuff on your skin might piss it off more if this is just some kind of allergic response.

I probably wouldn't use the stuff and let the doctor handle it. You don't really think you've got an infection, right?

I'm thinking its an allergic reaction to either the pillows or the body wash, so yeah I'll hold out on the polysporin

Wezoin

Seen the doctor... Went in, first one guessed Psoryasis but said something was strange about it (too small and too numerous to be normal psoryasis) so called in an older doctor, who decided it was Peteriasis (sp?) which is apparently very rare. They have no "solution" or any real way to speed up healing, but expect it will take about 6 - 8 weeks to get rid of if I don't scratch.

Also, it's apparently so rare that they dont teach it to early level med school students, so they brought in all the residents to check it out and teach them about it.

Librarian

Wezoin wrote:

Seen the doctor... Went in, first one guessed Psoryasis but said something was strange about it (too small and too numerous to be normal psoryasis) so called in an older doctor, who decided it was Peteriasis (sp?) which is apparently very rare. They have no "solution" or any real way to speed up healing, but expect it will take about 6 - 8 weeks to get rid of if I don't scratch.

Also, it's apparently so rare that they dont teach it to early level med school students, so they brought in all the residents to check it out and teach them about it.

Great, maybe someone will write a paper about you now

Soooooo, did they say what caused it?

Andorien

Wezoin wrote:

Also, it's apparently so rare that they dont teach it to early level med school students, so they brought in all the residents to check it out and teach them about it.

Was it like a Scrubs episode?

cooljammer00

Andorien wrote:

Wezoin wrote:

Also, it's apparently so rare that they dont teach it to early level med school students, so they brought in all the residents to check it out and teach them about it.

Was it like a Scrubs episode?

not really the same thing, as Sacred Heart is a learning hospital.

maybe more like that episode of Friends where Ross has the thing on his ass.

Wezoin

Librarian wrote:

Wezoin wrote:

Seen the doctor... Went in, first one guessed Psoryasis but said something was strange about it (too small and too numerous to be normal psoryasis) so called in an older doctor, who decided it was Peteriasis (sp?) which is apparently very rare. They have no "solution" or any real way to speed up healing, but expect it will take about 6 - 8 weeks to get rid of if I don't scratch.

Also, it's apparently so rare that they dont teach it to early level med school students, so they brought in all the residents to check it out and teach them about it.

Great, maybe someone will write a paper about you now

Soooooo, did they say what caused it?

I dunno, not really...

They said it was some virus...

And that theres this dry spot on my back that signalled it would come. It was all very weird... Bassically asked if any of it started earlier than anything else, so I showed them this dry spot I'd noticed a couple weeks before it. Then they had some special name for it, but roughly meant "The Mother Patch" and said that usually a patch of dry skin appears, and then the dots start to appear and slowly spread in a "Christmas tree" pattern down the body, and then after 6 - 8 weeks will dissapear.

And yes, very like an episode of Grey's Anatomy or something, with one doctor pointing and prodding at different parts of me and the otehrs putting up their hands and asking quite scientific questions... I'd imagine thats how that skeleton hanging in science classrooms feels.

Everywhereasign

I'm sorry you weren't able to start grilling them. My friend had a really strange B12 deficiency and was getting "showed" to every doctor and student in the place. He got really good at asking questions when they came in.

Did they give you anything to speed healing or suggest OTC treatment?

I'm curious what it is, anyone have anyluck finding links?

Kewop Decam

so what does this thing even do to the body? Nothing? Just causes rashes?

Wezoin

No, they gave me nothing. Said they could give me something to deal with the itching, but I already had some stuff that was working, so im gonna stick to the Aerius. As far as I know it just causes rashes... They were surprised when I said I didn't have diarrhea(sp?) so I guess thats a common one though.

Foufou

Wezoin wrote:

And that theres this dry spot on my back that signalled it would come. It was all very weird... Bassically asked if any of it started earlier than anything else, so I showed them this dry spot I'd noticed a couple weeks before it. Then they had some special name for it, but roughly meant "The Mother Patch" and said that usually a patch of dry skin appears, and then the dots start to appear and slowly spread in a "Christmas tree" pattern down the body, and then after 6 - 8 weeks will dissapear.

It's called a "Herald Patch". I had this same thing last year or so. Itched a bit and was just basically ugly and annoying. They gave me some prescription medicated cream and told me to mix it with Noxema. It should clear up pretty quickly.

For anyone that's interested in looking it up.

Pityriasis Rosea
http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic426.htm