**Lots of ideas to follow...enm
I have a troubling problem that's not quite at the "heartbreak" stage, but that I'd like to know how to treat nevertheless.
***can't make specific treatment recs w/o seeing it.
I have dry scaly patches in various places on my body that mildly itch and flake off. At times there is watery seepage or a tiny bit of bleeding when the patches come off. The spots are the size of the tip of a pencil eraser or smaller. Right now there are isolated spots on my torso, behind one knee, on the calf of the other leg and on one cheek. I have what appears to be the same thing in small clusters on my scalp at the hairline and elsewhere, and in the pubic area.
***3 main ideas come to mind: nummular eczema, psoriasis, pityriasis rosea
Within the past 5 years I have developed an allergy to nickel and can wear no jewelry except 14 k. gold or some but not all sterling silver. I develop a rash that flakes and seeps if I wear the wrong jewelry.
***contact dermatitis: common w/ eczema (atopic dermatitis)
A dermatologist told me to avoid certain lotions and detergents, which I did, and the nickel allergy cleared up, but I don't know what this other problem is - a contact dermatitis or something else.
***Good story for atopic dermatitis (tendency to "sensitive skin";
***commonly associated with asthma, hayfever, skin conditions in
***patient and/or family member). Contact dermatitis to nickel is
***very common in anyone. Same in atopics.
I'd appreciate knowing how to tell what this is and how to treat it. Will it get worse without treatment? Does pine tar soap help (I have reacted (reddened skin) to balsam shampoo, so I may be allergic to pine products, too!
***Can you find a dermatologist to do patch testing? You can do basic
***use testing on yourself, as you are doing, but it would be wise to
***test with small amounts on wrist before buying...leave it a few hours
***then rinse (less time for full strength shampoos/detergents). Very
***general guides that I use will be uploaded to this section soon.
***For now, avoid fragranced products, moisturize always, use topical
***steroids (like hydrocortisone or stronger prescription brands) as
***needed.
*****Hope this helps. Eliot
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Dermatology Online: Served by Eliot N. Mostow, MD, MPH
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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