Gransnet forums

Health

I have spots

(65 Posts)
fancythat Fri 05-Jul-24 13:04:31

Had them since mid January this year.

They started off looking a bit like ringworm.

First of all I went to a pharmacist.
Not their fault I dont think, but I was allergic to the cream she advised.

Then saw doctor 1 - thought it was something like ring worm. Something anti fungal. Got prescribed a cream. Limited effect.

Doctor 2 thought could be anti bacterial. Another cream Or was it tablets this time. From memory, spots got worse.
By this time there were more of them.

Doctor 3 thought something anti fungal and antibacterial combined. Another cream. Limited effect.

Oh, and I saw about 3 different nurses too.

Doctor 4 thought psoriasis. Cream. Did have some effect, but after more than two weeks advised to stop using, as should have cleared them by now. Which it hasnt.

Doctor 5 - gave up and had photos sent to hospital dermatologist.
Dermatologist thinks maybe excema.
To be fair, not finished the two week treatment yet, but spots appear worse.

So while I finish the two weeks[oh and i had to send in a specimen which came back clear, no action required], anyone any further ideas please?

fancythat Fri 05-Jul-24 13:04:54

Didnt realise that was such a long post.
Thank you for reading.

fancythat Fri 05-Jul-24 13:05:46

I am not convinced I did the swab correctly.
If at the end of these two weeks i have to contact a doctor again, I will tell him about the swab.

Namsnanny Fri 05-Jul-24 13:53:56

Colloidal Silver may be worth a try.
Run it past your Dr first, although it is very gentle.

Obviously you will have checked if your diet or washing (clothes as well) routine has changed, resulting in the change in your skin?

I had a terrible skin problem that was wrongly diagnosed for a couple of years, even the dermatologist couldn't get to the bottom of it.
It eventually just went.

If I had known about silver then I would have gladly tried it.

Sorry you are having to put up with this.

SpanielCuddler Fri 05-Jul-24 13:56:34

Oh no poor you. Where are the spots?
No medical knowledge but I know what ring worm looks like from my teaching days.
Could it be an allergy?
Maybe you need to actually be referred to a dermatologist. Our daughter was referred years ago after angry marks appeared on her face and body. It was an extreme reaction to prescribed medication.
My friend has developed urticaria after contact with cold air. She’s on strong antihistamines now.
Hope you get some answers soon.

Nell8 Fri 05-Jul-24 14:25:18

Have your doctors eliminated drug induced photosensitivity as a possibility? Fingers crossed for a major improvement soon.

downtoearth Fri 05-Jul-24 14:30:35

Fancythat Have you had any bacterial infections, strep throat recently?
Guttate psoriasis ( Guttate means drops) forms spots all over that do not clear.
My daughter suffered from this,
it dosent look the same as plaque psoriasis, which is more common.

fancythat Fri 05-Jul-24 14:38:56

The spots are now pretty much dotted all over the place.
Started on one leg. Back and front.

I have started to wonder if it is an allergy.
But cannot think of anything I have changed, as to anything skin related.

I have had no bacterial infections.
Never had strep throat.

I will look up guttate psoriasis. Though think I may have looked it up before. Though think they have moved away from the psoriasis idea as the cream didnt properly sort it all out.

Never heard of drug induced photosensitivity. I will look it up.
I am not on any medications except for the current cream.

I will look up the other suggestions on here.

Thank you all for your posts.

Callistemon213 Fri 05-Jul-24 15:12:06

I think you should see a Consultant dermatologist face to face.

I'm surprised the GPs have let this go on for so long without a proper referral, just a photo.

fancythat Fri 05-Jul-24 16:16:18

^Colloidal Silver may be worth a try.
Run it past your Dr first, although it is very gentle^

I would.

I think you should see a Consultant dermatologist face to face

Assuming the current cream does not eventually fare well, I think I will ask for that. As you say, it has all gone on long enough now.

drug induced photosensitivity
I hope I dont have this[not on any other medicines].
I do notice my spots look best, first thing in the morning. And evenings they look their worst.

urticaria - looked it up. Dont think it is that.

foxie48 Fri 05-Jul-24 17:07:00

I had a skin problem a couple of years ago and went through exactly the same number of possibilities as you. I had some weepy sore patches on my face, patches on my lower legs and also some on my back . It was very itchy, especially at night and quite unsightly. Eventually it was thought to be discoid (nummular) eczema, almost certainly stress related. I thought it would be a permanent condition but it did eventually clear up when I kept my skin well moisturised and I had less stress in my life. I hope you find something to clear yours up.

fancythat Fri 05-Jul-24 18:21:35

Discoid[nummular] eczema does tick some boxes.

I do have the spots in my scalp. But a couple of times I was told "you do look like you have two different types of something going on".

My skin does seem dry.
I dont normally get dry skin.
I know nothing about emolients. Never had to use them before.

With the current cream I am using, I was also prescribed dermol500. An emolient? But I had an allergic reaction to it. Which was unusual the GP said. So he told me just to carry on using the current cream without it.

Callistemon213 Fri 05-Jul-24 18:36:15

They don't seem to have a clue fancythat.

Ask for a referral to the dermatology department asap!

foxie48 Fri 05-Jul-24 19:16:33

I used Dermol 1500 but was fine with it. I think discoid can be related to an allergic reaction. I really sympathise, skin conditions can be very wearing especially if they stop you sleeping.

crazyH Fri 05-Jul-24 19:27:09

If it’s itchy, take an antihistamine before you go to bed

Callistemon213 Fri 05-Jul-24 20:15:46

crazyH

If it’s itchy, take an antihistamine before you go to bed

👍

fancythat Sat 13-Jul-24 19:36:53

I find bedtime better than daytime. Thanks anyway.

fancythat Sat 13-Jul-24 19:37:51

I have been doing some googling[I know I know] and wonder if I have something called pityriasis lechonoids.

Anyone know anything about that please?

BigBertha1 Sun 14-Jul-24 07:37:01

You could try removing all ultra processed foods from your regular diet/food plan reported to have many health benefits.

sazz1 Sun 14-Jul-24 11:23:27

There's a few things I can think of. If it's eczema Sudacrem is good. I get a rash from sun exposure now probably as my skin is v dry so antihistamines help. If it's allergy this can develop anytime even if you haven't had any problems for years. Try a milder washing powder, pure fabric softener
Are your legs exposed during the day, or do you wear trousers or tights? If so could be reacting to elastine in clothing? Do you have pets? I'm allergic to dogs now and haven't had any problems for years with always having a dog
Best wishes hope this helps

pably15 Mon 22-Jul-24 23:54:48

fancythat, is the rash very itchy, years ago I had a rash, like red blotches that started on my back then spread to my thighs and arms...the itch was driving me crazy, it lasted 5 or6 weeks, by the time I saw a dermatologist it was almost gone, but he told me it was PITYRIASIS ROSEA, and he said it wouldn't come back...

fancythat Tue 23-Jul-24 08:22:16

Yes, it is quite itchy.
The whole thing didnt start like yours did.
I have seen some pictures of Pityriasis and it does look a bit like that.

excema - I had some cream in case it was that. It has made the spots worse. And more itchy, not less.

washing powder - it is possible the ingredients have changed. I think I need to try a different washing powder, to see if that helps.

I wear a mixture of clothing. But will bear in mind elastine.

We have an outdoor cat. Who sometimes sleeps indoors at night. No dog.

Ultra processed foods - my last resort at changing some of those! I would do if it comes to that.

fancythat Tue 23-Jul-24 08:41:27

I went to the doctor's yesterday.
I have been put on antibiotics for a week[good. Was wondering if that needed to be tried. But he says he doesnt hold out much hope for them].
I get another cream to try this afternoon[a steroid one maybe? Though I may have had a part steroid one before He said he has more hope that the cream will work].
And a dry swab of skin flakes was done. Apparently they dont do a "wet swab"?

He said if all that doesnt work, I will need a face to face appointment with the dermatologist.

I asked how long would the wait be? He grimaced. He said that particular waiting list is one of the longest.

I said I was willing to go to a different County. He still grimaced.

fancythat Tue 23-Jul-24 08:42:45

I hope I am not speaking out of turn with all this.

He said they wre trying all sorts of things at the GP, as the waiting list is long for the dermatologist.

pably15 Tue 23-Jul-24 09:14:13

I had to get my mum to dab some callamine lotion on to help with the itch...