Pityrisais Rosea for 5months now with new lesions - please help!!
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi Everyone,
I've been suffering with PR since March now, 3 months after giving birth to my son.
I'm coming close to 5 months and now I've had a reoccurrence of a new rash and the old lesions still haven't gone; now they are all merging into one big rash, has anyone else had a similar experience? My rash is now covering my entire back, arms, neck and half of my legs.
My dermatologist said it would last for maximum of 5 months and get worse before it gets any better, but I didn't think it would be this bad. I'm also suffering with blepharitis because of this awful rash.
I've used all the creams and ointments, sun, head and shoulders - everything you can think of but nothing is helping, it's only getting worse. I'm so stressed out I don't know what to do.
Any advice would be most appreciated.
0 likes, 9 replies
aboveaveragejoe samina21683
Posted
I've had it for about 5 months as well. It was mainly on the right side of my back, chest and arms, and it subsdided halfway through the duration. Now it's come back strong on my left side. Like you, it's currently all over my back, chest, arms, and even down on my legs. Also, I'm pretty sure the summer heat and humidity is causing me a bit of heat rash to go along with it.
Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done but applying steroids, antihistamine creams, and taking an oral antihistamine (fexofinadine/allegra seems to be best for itching). Keep getting a little sun on it. I find that after I went running without sunblock on my arms and legs, those areas got a bit better compared to my trunk.
If anyone else has any good ideas, I'd like to know as well.
samina21683 aboveaveragejoe
Posted
Hi, thanks for responding to my post.
I went to see another dermatologist today, he's now saying I have atopic eczema/dermatitis. I personally think it started of as PR and now I have atopic eczema because the first Dr did mention I have some atopic eczema along with PR lesions.
I've been prescribed a course of oral steroids for 30 days and antihistamines to help me sleep at night and of course, sunlight like you suggested. I'm praying this will help clear up whatever I currently have.
Maybe you should go back and get a second opinion from someone else too? I can give you the details of this Professor if you like?
aboveaveragejoe samina21683
Posted
Oh that's quite alright, I've had bouts with eczema throughout my life, and it's just something you have to learn to live with. The PR is a new one to me, but I've learned to recognize the difference between the two. I also have a legion of plaque psoriasis that I deal with using taconlex, which has worked surprisingly well although it's taken almost 6 months to make it subside. I'm lucky to have a good health care plan, as it would otherwise cost around $1,600 for a 6-month supply of it!
I always have a tube of benadryl with me for itch flare-ups, and that really helps to stop the inevitable scratching. That, and I keep my skin moisturized with cetaphil lotion. Good luck with your skin!
chris_25635 aboveaveragejoe
Posted
samina21683 aboveaveragejoe
Posted
I can't believe the improvement in my skin since I've started taking my steroids. However I still can't tell which lesions are PR and what part is the rash is atopic eczema?
samina21683 chris_25635
Posted
Hi Chris, it's great to hear the steroids are working for you. I wish I went back to my dermatologist earlier, maybe I wouldn't have suffered like I have been.
I've also been prescribed a tapered dose of steroids, starting on Friday and I've seen great improvement. My only worry is what will happen once the course finishes, will all this come back?
chris_25635 samina21683
Posted
I had to stop my steriods on Thursday night due to its effect on my heart. But in those 4 days on it, it cleared up pretty much completely. All day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I've used absolutely nothing and only had two minor itches. Nothing seems to be coming back at the moment. But you knowi if you read these boards, there are people who got this two and three times in their life! Gosh I hope that's not me.....
chris_25635 samina21683
Posted
chris_25635 samina21683
Posted
HI, this is the end of my Week 4. I've gone to my allergist (who diagnosed it), my general Doctor (who agreed), a dermatologist (who agreed and was of absolutely NO help), then I had a randomly scheduled appointment with my pulmonologist. Much to my surprise, my pulmonologist suggested that I take a steroid dose pack. Like methyl prednisone where you taper down - you take 25 mg across one day, the next day 20 mg, the next day 15, etc. until none.
It completely stopped my itching in 4 days AND cleared it up! I was so surprised. So basically I had it unknowingly for a week, used 40% zinc oxide and head and shoulders for 2 weeks, then the prednisone this week (and this week no itching as a result).
So my suggestion is find a doctor who thinks out of the box, per say, if your derm won't give you a steroid dose pack.
I am so grateful to my pulmonologist for his suggestion and it isn't even his field!