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Mystery condition

(82 Posts)
GagaJo Mon 05-Dec-22 21:25:34

Seen 2 GPs, 2 A&E doctors, 2 maxillofacial doctors.

It started 2 weeks ago with an inflammed area on my face. Became infected and had to be drained. Given antibiotics and an antibacterial ointment.

Next developed a range of lumps on my face (they look a bit like hives). No heads. Nothing inside to drain.

Have something in my ear. Possibly a boil, or maybe one of the lumps.

Also 2 lumps on my bottom lip and one inside my mouth.

Even the max fax doctors don't know what's wrong. They've said:
Boil
Ulcers (mouth)
Shingles (I've got tingling, itching, nerve pain).

I'm fed up with it. I've got a big scar from the infection draining. Ear ache. A sore mouth.

Anyone got any ideas?

Namsnanny Tue 06-Dec-22 13:25:48

Good grief! That sounds horrendous Gagajo
What ever it is you need to get plenty of rest, which must be difficult.as.you have work and gs.
Try Reishi mushroom and or Echinacea for supporting your immune system.
Silicone gel massaged into the scar tissue regularly seemed to help mine heal quite well.
I do hope you feel better soon
You too Blondiescotsmile

Blondiescot Tue 06-Dec-22 12:46:15

GagaJo, I'm also at the two-week stage. I can't take ibuprofen either so I'm also on the codeine and paracetamol, which as you say, helps for a while, but when it starts to wear off, the pain returns. Hope you get some answers - and some relief - soon.

GagaJo Tue 06-Dec-22 11:58:13

MawtheMerrier

Blondiescot that sounds so like shingles.A/b’s are no use for that, you need anti-virals (Acyclovir) and those within the first couple of days.
Been there done that.
Sympathies Gagajo surely somebody must be better than clueless? Awful for you, not least because of your online teaching. Gute Besserung!

Yes! I usually carefully use make-up to disguise my age on camera but now I can't, plus have a huge scabby area as well as lumps covering 1/4 of my face. So old and rancid!

Blondiescot, that is so odd! I can't take ibuprofen but am taking paracetamol and codeine which helps the pain for 3 or 4 hours. How long have you had it? I'm at 2 weeks now.

Riverwalk Tue 06-Dec-22 08:29:19

Poor you - it all sounds horrendous. It's a pity that six doctors over two weeks can't come to a definite diagnosis.

I think it could be shingles, with consequent complications, particularly as you've got tingling, itching, and nerve pain. Not all shingle spots are blister-like; my sister had red bumps that looked like mosquito bites without a central dot.

I hope you feel better soon!

Blondiescot Tue 06-Dec-22 08:26:08

MawtheMerrier

Blondiescot that sounds so like shingles.A/b’s are no use for that, you need anti-virals (Acyclovir) and those within the first couple of days.
Been there done that.
Sympathies Gagajo surely somebody must be better than clueless? Awful for you, not least because of your online teaching. Gute Besserung!

Thanks, Maw. I'm trying to get an appointment with my GP, but it's no easy task at the moment.

downtoearth Tue 06-Dec-22 07:19:41

Are the bumps scaly and and shiny with a crust on.
Have you had a sore throat lately.
Has your grandson.
The reason for asking.
There is a rise in the number of Strep A,which is a bacterial infection,school age children have been affected.
Strep A can cause skin conditions.
I know this as a fact my daughter had a bacterial throat infection as a mid teen ( strepA) which caused guttate psoriasis.
One main spot on her foot started and got infected,her whole body gradually become covered in the small raised red spots.
Guttate psoriasis is called so because guttate is the latin for drops,and this forms a droplet pattern.
It can change form and turn into plaque psoriasis which is the more common form.

MawtheMerrier Tue 06-Dec-22 07:05:02

Blondiescot that sounds so like shingles.A/b’s are no use for that, you need anti-virals (Acyclovir) and those within the first couple of days.
Been there done that.
Sympathies Gagajo surely somebody must be better than clueless? Awful for you, not least because of your online teaching. Gute Besserung!

Blondiescot Tue 06-Dec-22 06:52:02

Oh my god, GagaJo - I have had something very similar for the past 10 days or so. It started with shooting pains in my head - so excruciating that I actually had to go to A&E twice. First time, they thought it could be a migraine triggered by my covid booster, but the pain got worse and I had these bumps on my scalp, so second time they were unsure what it could be but sent me home with antibiotics and painkillers. I've now finished the course of antibiotics but the bumps are still there. It's very hard to describe, but I also have a sore ear (the outer ear rather than inner) and at times the pain is just horrendous. It's very mysterious.

Whiff Tue 06-Dec-22 04:54:21

Gagajo sorry you are suffering like this. Have you had a complete blood test that tests for everything? Someone has suggested a dermatologist I think you need a referral to them. As they have a better understanding of skin problems than maxillofacial do.

This isn't related to your problem but I have had problems with my limbs all my life. Only by genetic blood tests have I finally found out what is wrong with me . I am 64 and found out in April I have a rare hereditary condition.

If you see the dermatologist perhaps if they don't know what's wrong they would know what panel to have your blood genetically tested.

It's a long shot but might help.

Hetty58 Tue 06-Dec-22 00:55:06

I have loads of allergies - so wonder if, maybe, the ingredients in your toothpaste or foods have changed - or you've developed an allergy to them. If you use any creams/lotions I'd suggest stopping and using just coconut oil for a while.

Then there's insect and spider bites - often the lump, rash and infection are away from the original bite and they can be very painful. Have you tried antihistamines?

Grannmarie Tue 06-Dec-22 00:36:17

I'm sorry you're going through this, GagaJo. I've pm'd you.

pieinthesky Tue 06-Dec-22 00:15:00

Have you seen a dermatologist? Maybe it’s a skin thing unconnected with viruses or bacteria and it can’t do any harm. Have the drs checked whether you have an allergy to something you’ve eaten?

MissAdventure Mon 05-Dec-22 22:50:31

Has your blood sugar been checked? Are you diabetic, I can't remember?

Too much sugar can play havoc with your system.

nadateturbe Mon 05-Dec-22 22:35:32

Have you used any different cleaning materials, creams etc.

MissAdventure Mon 05-Dec-22 22:23:08

I do like a mystery!

Do you lean with your hand on that side of your face, or always put your phone that side?

Sleep on that side?

GagaJo Mon 05-Dec-22 22:18:54

Not taking medication. Maxfax Dr. suggested multivitamins because I'm not eating much.

It's been almost 2 weeks so I think too late for antivirals.

Ears are pierced but I haven't worn any jewellery for months.

I did have a bad time with hives 10 years ago, but they turned out to be linked to undiagnosed thrush.

These lumps are the same ones sadly. The newest ones have been there for 5 days now. The original one, that got infected, for 2 weeks.

growstuff Mon 05-Dec-22 22:17:46

Ibuprofen brings me out in mysterious bumps.

MissAdventure Mon 05-Dec-22 22:11:36

Are your ears pierced?
Not as extreme, but I've had problems through leaving small gold studs in for too long five years solid

growstuff Mon 05-Dec-22 22:11:00

Have hives been discounted?

I had mysterious bumps on my face and legs many years ago. I was prescribed all sorts of treatments, but nothing worked. The individual bumps would disappear and then a new patch would appear in a slightly different place - at one time in my mouth. It went on like that for a few weeks. I was told it was a form of urticaria (hives).

Eventually, I started bathing them with witch hazel and they calmed down and disappeared. I don't know if it was a coincidence. I've never had a recurrence.

Callistemon21 Mon 05-Dec-22 22:07:52

Tingling and nerve pain really suggests shingles.

Anti-virals are effective if taken as soon as possible after symptoms begin.

Glorianny Mon 05-Dec-22 21:59:36

Are you taking any medication GagaJo? If so can you stop it for a short while just to check it isn't the cause?

The first treatment I had for my osteoporosis brought me out in lumps on my face. I realised it was the cause because the condition worsened when I was taking it and cleared up when I wasn't. It is apparently one of the rarer side effects.

MissAdventure Mon 05-Dec-22 21:57:50

Also, my mum had shingles on her scalp once.

The pain, which was excruciating, came on a good few days before welts appeared on her scalp.

She never got blisters.

MissAdventure Mon 05-Dec-22 21:51:25

A vitamin deficiency?

I think lack of the B vitamins can cause cracked lips, ulcers and other nasties.

Callistemon21 Mon 05-Dec-22 21:50:01

And Luckygirl too - hope that the diagnosis is right and it clears up soon.

Hot and red with a defined edge could be cellulitis.

Callistemon21 Mon 05-Dec-22 21:48:07

Shingles (I've got tingling, itching, nerve pain)

I don't know that shingles always turn to blisters.
Shingles is miserable.
Sometimes the pain starts before the spots appear.

Have you been given anti-virals?
They do need to be taken asap, but I'm not sure if a blood test will prove whether or not it's shingles.