Palmar Erythema- why is this happening

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hi folks... need a bit of advice

A few months ago (December) I woke up with a nasty rash on the palms of my hands and soles of my feet. The trash spread all over my body.

My doctor prescribed me steroids and anti histamines which cleared it all right up... except the red patches on the hammers of each palm and slight redness (and itching) of my feet.

I have also had a bit of fatigue, very mild nausea, dizziness and some *sigh* soft, large poo that’s a bit lighter than normal. They also stink to high heaven.

I worried it was an STI... all tests came back negative at 2,4,6,8 and 12 weeks. The STI clinic has told me to stop showing up as if I had something it would have been detected by 12 weeks. I am confident it’s not sexual.

I am not a heavy drinker (less than 2 units a week mostly). I smoke moderate/heavy (15 to 18a day).

As a gentleman I am certainly not pregnant... so I am at a loss as to what could be causing this all.

My doctor said it could be Palmer Erythema. 

The internet (god bless it’s effect on the afflicted) says there are many causes but I don’t seem to fit in any of the causes.

Would any of you be so kind as to offer an opinion?

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • Posted

    Just to add... I had a blood test in February for diabetes, liver function etc and all came up fine

    Seeing the doctor in a couple of days for another blood test.

    Just curious what people think or if anyone has experienced the same

  • Posted

    Your rash experience is certainly a puzzlement, but light & malodorous stools can result from poor bile flow.  

    "Sluggish Liver" used to be a common diagnosis in those with problems like this, but has fallen out of favor as it is non-specific.  This doesn't mean it doesn't exist though!  

    The liver's favorite nutrient is "choline" and phosphatidylcholine (aka Lecithin) is the liver's favorite form of choline.  Lecithin helps to thin bile and help it flow better, which can be helpful with sluggish liver.  

    Eggs are the best source of lecithin (the lecithin is in the yolk), and lecithin supplements are cheap and very benign/safe if you don't care for eggs.  A 30 day trial of increased egg consumption or lecithin supplementation might prove enlightening and certainly couldn't hurt.  

    Some experimentation with probiotics might also be helpful.  Gram negative bacteria in the gut is known to emit malodorous/sulfurous gas.  If you've had to take any antibiotics over the past year, this can result in a chronic alteration of gut flora which a good probiotic might help.  Lactobacillus probiotics might be most helpful as these bugs secrete lactic acid, which gram negative bacteria in the gut hate.  

    Keep digging, & you're bound to figure this out sooner or later (hopefully sooner!).  

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.