Regime working -getting better -try this

I wrote before that the 1st dermatologist I saw threw "leukemia" and then "T-Cell Lymphoma" at me.  I shared that in case anyone else heard the same thing, not because I believed it. It started with a round red patch that itched on my forearm.  Subsequently, groups of oval shaped red itchy dots broke out everywhere from my neck to the tops of my thighs and between my thighs. The biopsy ruled out syphillis. (ANA test) I was prescribed Clobetazol (physician strengthy cortozone cream for the itchiness)  Nighttime was the worst for the itchiness.  The cream helped a bit. My primary care doctor and I pulled out books together and we came up with PR.  I am in the 25% of people not between 10 years old and 35 years old to contract this. Of course I went online and did extensive research. I also purchased the book my Primary care doc had " "Clinical Dermatology fifth edition by Thomas P. Habif.  Really Great helpful pictures and info.(Amazon has it) Now for what is helping a lot.  I started taking showers (tepid water - not real hot) using a stronger version of Head and shoulders to lather up with and rinsing with tepid water.  Relief follows this shower. It is called DHS Zinc shampoo.  The second part of my regime is going to the beach and getting into the salt water and then sunning myself.  I know these things work for me.  I share them in hopes they work for you.  If you dont live near salt water, then you can just sun yourself, exposing the affected areas.  I am in my second month with this monster of a rash and really doing quite well. I am still not wearing necklaces (hairline on back of neck) yikes! or long pants,  preferring skirts for the freedom from rubbing this provides me.  I will tolerate it and continue with my Zinc showers and salt water/sun regime.  My skin looks kind of dry and flaky, but wildly preferable to those itchy dots.  Some areas itch and I dont see the dots.  It just still itches.This is mostly around my collar bone.  I see some leftover discolorations where the dots were.  I am also following a healthy diet and trying to avoid undue stress. I hope my story is helpful to some of my fellow sufferers. Oh, the kicker is that my husband says that he had this (in a milder version) all through the winter.  He is a stoic and not prone to complaining although he did tell me he had very itchy dots that were worse at night.  My guess is that he most likely also had PR.  This is not necessarily "Proof" that it is contagious, it could just mean that the virus lives here somewhere and he contracted this first and had a milder case.  For public exposure on my part, I attend the YMCA on a regular basis.  I live in the country and my husband doesnt go out a lot as I do.  I think it might be helpful if we had a questionairre to see where the commonalities lie.  Interesting thought.  I am leaving for the beach now.  Carole

0 likes, 4 replies