Hi, new here; Nummular Exzema question...

[marc 1n1]

Does anyone know if Nummular Exzema can be correalated with alergy?

I have a pretty bad case of it, and did the oral Prednisone in June '09,
followed by Clobetasol ointment, and now Protopic--which only seems
to suppress it.

The derma doc wants to do a "patch test", and last time I saw him
he suggested allergy testing.  But I said I'd use the Protopic
and see how that went.  I'm in the 6th week of Protopic use
and I don't know if he'll stop that and put me on something else yet.
(Appointment tomorrow 10/13).

But this stuff is so persistent, that it seems any meds I've used
don't solve the cause--which I've been told (and read) is unknown--
and since other forms of exzema can be caused by allergens,
I just wonder if Nummular can as well.   (Or at least aggravated by
an allergen.)

I get the impression the dermatologist expected it to stop irritating
me after the oral Prednisone sequence.

Anyone know?

Thanks
Marc

[marc 1n1]

Just a quick note;

Had that appointment, and he basically told me to stay on the Protopic ointment,
and scheduled a "patch test" to find out what it may be that's irritating my skin.
Well, it's the exzema, but why it's so persistent is beyond me.

M

[lilmiss_p]

Hi Marc

Whats the history with your eczema, have you always had some form of it?

Lilmiss_p

[marc 1n1]

(I also have an introductory post on that part of the forum.)

I've only had this since last April.   

[bongi2222]

Since last april means half a year which is not negligible at all,
if your skin has been irritated consistently for such a period of time.

Eczema's can be triggered by various reasons.
I would guess your derm. wants to rule-out possible triggers,
hence sends u to "patch-test" - note though there r various kinds
of patch-tests - there's the simple limited and the elaborated (i.e.
something like 60 or more substances on your back).

Patch test should give your derm. info. on what possibly you're
allergic to - note also there's regular patch-test and contact-derm. patch test.

Allergic patch-test is more general, contact patch-test is rather specific
to cases where substances cause eczema as result of direct contact with your skin.

All in all there's may be a rather simple way to rule out allergy cause,
by a trial of anti-histamine modern OTC treatment - if it is indeed allergy
then such treatment should do its job (though not necessarily simple non-potent pills
but rather more potent ones at your derm's medical decision).

Good luck.

[marc 1n1]

Thanks bongi;

It was the allergy test (x29).  Actually, I'm having more irritation from the
tape they attatched the patches with than the allergies they identified.
(Lanolin, and some other chem found mostly in soap, moisturizer, etc.)

I'm going back tomorrow for the evaluation with the doc's PA.

All this is new to me...and I would have said I'm not allergic to anything
a couple days ago.

Does the term "trigger" mean something that sets off the exzema?  Aggravates it?