Rashes? Kinda nervous

[RunningGirl85]

So, first, I haven't been around much because I just came back from Spain! Which was a great break, by the way (though the lack of sleep coming from travelling, maybe not so much).

Anyways, I am a bit nervous. I've had a small rash type thing around my chest area for awhile, though it seems to kind of be spreading (can't really tell though). I have dermititis, so weird skin things aren't new to me, and this one doesn't itch/hasn't been accompanied by anything else, so I've kinda ignored it (bringing it up at my next neurology appointment though). NEXT, I think I've developed something on my face on the chin/upper lip area. Not in the actual mucus membranes, but near. I would get it checked immediately, except I'm not even sure if it's even a rash. It is slightly itchy, and a bit raised, but above the lip it's just kinda flaky (like really dry/chapped skin). Basically, it looks like I have a beard and mustache. It kinda came then went, and now it's here. Anyway, I posted a picture... I know nobody on here is a doctor, but I'd be interested to see some opinions... We're kinda snowed in, and getting to the neurologist office would be really really difficult today (especially because I'd have to find a ride), and the clinic across the street is mostly closed... so... yeah. I want to wait it out unless I think it's really important (like, really really important).

Anyways, I'm kinda nervous and I can't figure out whether it's worth trying to get a ride to the neurologist office to find out it's nothing, or wait until tomorrow/the day after (unless it gets worse, of course).

And since I'm not sure if I can post the actual picture (I hide anything that might be inappropriate, but just being careful), here's a link to the chest area rash.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B62IiDhy7RoDVEtpWjFnblE5Z3c

GAH, my skin is so annoying withOUT medications that mess with it.

 

[RunningGirl85]

oops... guess the image didn't want to work... I'll try this again...

And if that doesn't work, here's the direct link:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B62IiDhy7RoDbWpmV1RKMkFnYU0

 

[jayde-101]

have you changed , soaps, body lotions or anything like that recently ? ... if not did this only appear when you cam back from spain ?

the reason i ask this is i live in the uk and when i came back from spain i came out it a awful rash all over and we found out it was the difference in water ..

the water over there is alot softer than ours so when i came back it was almost as if our own water here was aggrevating my skin .... have you tried taking any antihistamines( anti-allergy ) tablets to see if that eases it ?

sorry i cant really shed any light on it

 

[RunningGirl85]

Thanks for the advice! For the one on my face, that started when I was in Spain (it came and went then disappeared), the other one started awhile back... I never got it looked at because it didn't seem important at the time, but now that I think it is spreading (can't tell if it is, or if I'm just noticing it more and more), it's making me more nervous.

I was taking Claritin before, and I may need to start that up again (could possibly be why my skin has been freaking out too). I did get some benadryl, but it makes me so drowsy I haven't wanted to take it I used some Cortisone on my face, and that seemed to take out some of the itching/burning, but it's still pretty red/sorta swollen (my pics didn't do a good job showing everything)

 

[jayde-101]

thats alright ... its hard to be sure of rashes over the internet anyways , i would suggest starting up the claritin again and only use the cortisone on the face very thinly

it could be the change in water and air ect of the two places and if you went swimming the chlorine in pools could affect the skin aswell

if it gets any worse do you have a genreal family dr you could maybe call ?

sorry im not much help thats as much as i would advice to customeres when im at work ( i work in a pharmacy) ...

 

[Chaz1]

"cortisone on the face very thinly" great advise....it makes skin thin..not for long term use 4 sure, not on face...

after all the travels, sweat rash after long plane journey?

 

[RunningGirl85]

Well, the rash on my chest has been here for months, though slowly spreading (I think). Actually, after doing research, I don't think it's at all related to my face. It started when I started running a lot again to train for my marathon, and for some reason I was thinking maybe it was a fungal thing because I thought I'd had one before (couldn't remember though - with my great memory - I just remembered that I thought I had something similar a long time ago, and that popped into my head), did some research and I think that's what it is, especially because those often start in hot weather due to sweating, and you're likely to have more if you've had one. Plus, with the Lamictal, I know even if you don't have dangerous rashes, your skin is more prone to stuff (that was my first thought when I saw it appear)... So... I'll still get it checked out, but I am not as concerned.

As for the face... I'll give it a day or so and if it's worse, I'll see someone. Hopefully people will actually be here tomorrow (emergency personnel are on post even when we're closed down, but I don't think this is an emergency) in case it seems worse tomorrow. I'm a bit less concerned now. I think the lack of sleep and travelling has probably just exacerbated everything and probably made me overreact a bit. Even having several auras today, which really doesn't surprise me after the past two weeks of sleep changes!

 

[KarenB]

Those with seizures should use caution with antihistamines, as some of them can interact with some of the AEDs, plus some of them cross the brain barrier and may trigger seizures.

I think Claritin is fine (our doctor allows Jon to use it), but Benadryl is one of the meds our doc advised against using (it's been awhile since he had skin issues, so can't really remember).

I got a ring worm infection on my belly one time (I think I picked it up at the Y) -- and it wasn't itchy, which is surprising, because usually ringworm is. But it was just this very light rash which gradually formed into the shape of circles (about 2 to 4 inches in diameter). This was a number of years ago, and I must have used some sort of anti-fungal, but can't remember if it was topical or by mouth. I think you'd also have to exercise caution with anti-fungal meds if you have epilepsy.

 

[RunningGirl85]

Well, I saw my GP, and she referred me to dermatology for the rash on my chest since it has spread. She said she doesn't think any of it is related to my medications because the rashes would likely be more widespread (which makes sense in retrospect). Oh, and the one on my face is mostly gone anyway. I think all of this has turned me into a slight hypochondriac who pays too much attention to everything (though I did ignore the other rash for months).