Title: Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Monika on June 07, 2003, 08:25:06 AM
Hey guys... My friend Heather has what she originally thought was dandruff, but it's spreading to the back of her neck... she says it itches so bad she can't help but scratch (we all know that feeling). It's definitely on her scalp still, but I took 2 pictures of the back of her neck with the digital camera tonight... hoping you guys can help us figure it out.
She hasn't been to a doctor yet... I think she'd like to go to the derm with some input from you guys (who I brag about all the time!) :) It looks like an allergic reaction of some kind to me. She hasn't switched shampoos or soaps or anything though.
Hope the pictures give you somewhat of a good idea of the rash. The lighting was hard to get right.
Picture one is attached... |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Monika on June 07, 2003, 08:26:56 AM
| And here's picture two... probably not as easy to see the rash... |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Alison on June 07, 2003, 08:49:24 AM
sorry mon, i cant help i was gonna say a reaction to a new product but if she hasnt swapped any :-\.
hopefully some1 will be able to give ya good advice :) |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: fishs on June 07, 2003, 08:57:21 AM
:hi:
Hello Monika
Well Just having a look at the piccies of heather ..
I am tending to think as you do..
Looks to me like a severe reaction ..
I have seen this type of thing before and I will toss up what that was ..
Has heather had her hair done recently . ?
Like a Perm or set.. ?
I have seen this type of thing caused by a reaction to various types of setting lotions... On more than one occasion.. These different setting lotions are pretty sever somtimes ..
Don't Know if that helps at all Monika But I will toss it in as an Idea for you to hhave a look at maybe..
Fish
|
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Monika on June 07, 2003, 09:03:22 AM
Thanks Ali, that was my thought too, so I was stumped.
Hmmmm good thinking Fish. No perms or set recently, but it's possible she had it colored or highlighted. I'll have to ask her about that. Maybe something in that caused a reaction.
If it were that, wouldn't the rash improve with time (and washes)? It's been about 3 weeks since it showed up and it's no better... it's actually getting worse and spreading. |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: fishs on June 07, 2003, 09:13:09 AM
:hi:
Yea .. You are right .. Monika.. It shouls have gone by now if it was that..
Just thinking back .. In my experience if it were a reaction to some thing like that It maybe would not Itch .. More Like to be stingy or burning type sensation..
Beats me .. If it has been getting worse I think maybe better see about it I think..
Fish |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Celery Peach on June 07, 2003, 09:45:16 AM
Hi Mon :hi:
Ouch, that looks sore :(
Sorry Im no help either, all I could think was a change of product. But it appears to be spreading?
Better get your friend to the dermo I think Mon :) |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: ami on June 07, 2003, 11:39:15 AM
| I think also it be reaction to something she using or it could be heat related. Or it might be hives best when is to take your friend to a doc to have it check out. |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Nicky on June 07, 2003, 02:49:38 PM
Hiya,
I would have thought that was a reaction to something. Sometimes if you react to something at the hairdressers (tint, setting lotion, perm stuff etc) it can come out after the actual treatment, although I'd be surprised if it lasted that long.
Guess it could also be something eaten/drunk? The back of the neck is a pretty susceptible area and seafood, for example, can cause a fairly strong allergic reation, as can food/drink colouring. That would possibly cause intense itching and may get worse before it gets better.
Has she used anything new in products - wouldn't need to be hair pruducts - ie washing powder, soap, deodorant, suntan lotion ... ... ... ...
If it's getting worse I'd suggest she gets it looked at by the doc (or pharmacist) though.
Wish her well,
Nicky |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Nick on June 07, 2003, 07:11:27 PM
Hi there Mon, :hi:
Hi there Heather, :hi:
Sorry to hear about the problem for Heather :hug:
A few questions if you don't mind.
You mentioned that she thought it might be dandruff at first, is there any sign of loss of skin from the itch site like you would expect to see with dandruff? Things like flakes or crumbs of skin?
Also, the pics doesn't show the problem very well as far as skin condition. Are there any raised bumps or spots on the itch site?
And finally the pics were taken with the hair held up out of the way yes? Do the rash follow the line of the hair when it is hanging down in its normal place?
Oh, nearly finfished, the rash itself, is it even or is it dotty ?
Sorry to fire all these questions at you, but I'm thinking it might possibly be a form of folliculitis and ot would be easier to track down if we can clarify some of those points :) |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Monika on June 07, 2003, 07:30:05 PM
| You mentioned that she thought it might be dandruff at first, is there any sign of loss of skin from the itch site like you would expect to see with dandruff? Things like flakes or crumbs of skin? |
|
Yes, LOTS of flakes. Like snow!
| Also, the pics doesn't show the problem very well as far as skin condition. Are there any raised bumps or spots on the itch site? |
|
Yeah sorry about the pics not being too clear. Everything that is red is raised... I would say raised spots (because it's bigger than "bumps")
| And finally the pics were taken with the hair held up out of the way yes? Do the rash follow the line of the hair when it is hanging down in its normal place? |
|
Good point... it does follow her hairline when it's hanging down, but it beginning to go lower than the hairline... then again, that could just be from the head being tilted, causing the hairline to shift, right?
| Oh, nearly finfished, the rash itself, is it even or is it dotty ? |
|
I'm not quite sure about what you're asking... my first instinct would be to say dotty? It's not like an entire area is red and raised... but an area of blotches with tiny spaces of normal skin in between.
I'm going to forward all your replies to Heather... thanks a bunch everyone! :hug: |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Monika on June 08, 2003, 07:43:30 PM
Okay nevermind about the dotty thing Nick, today it looked like a completely red patch of dry, semi-scaly skin. She said it was kinda oozing too. :(
Heather registered last night on here (nick is Heather Bee) and said she'll be logging on soon to post. :) |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: andy50 on June 08, 2003, 08:00:05 PM
| hi monika and heather,i suffer from seborrheoic dermatitis and some of heather`s skin condition seem similar,i also had bad dandruff which then started to spread down from the scalp onto the skin,i`m wondering if heather has had bad dandruff for quite some time? |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Heather Bee on June 09, 2003, 09:58:50 PM
Hello all! :hi: It's Heather, the one in the photos. Thanks for all the input; looks like I won't be able to get into see a derm until the end of July! ??? UGH! Anyway, here's the scoop on what's been going on with my head.
So, I'm guessing about a month ago, maybe a little longer than that, my head started itching. I would scratch it, of course. Then one day I noticed little skin chunks were coming off under my fingernails. I had my mom look at it and my whole scalp was like that, kinda like dandruff, but some chunks were bigger than any dandruff I'd ever seen.
I still kept scratching, like a moron. Then I started noticing that when I would scratch a sticky liquid was under it. At first I thought I was bleeding, but the liquid is clear, or maybe yellowish.
About a month ago I went to the beach, and that's when I first noticed the rashy thing on my neck as well as on the back of my neck. I thought it was sunburn, but it hasn't gone away.
I trying useing neutrgena TSal shampoo, to no avail, as well as Selsun Blue medicated shampoo, which only made my scalp burn.
My mom put some Elidel on my neck about a week ago, which made it itch so bad I had to wipe it off with a towel, and yesterday she put some MetroGel on it, which has it soo dry that I feel like the skin is about to crack.
My ears are all crusty, and ooze that same tuff that my head does, and my hair will stick to it sometimes. Yuck. Sometimes my neck will be all red and dry, but sometimes its not as bad. However it has gotten way bigger.
I haven't really changed to a shampoo or soap I haven't used before, I only was out in the sun that one time, and I am usually too lazy to go outside and work up a sweat. The only changes I have had in my life at all is gong to the church on a regular basis (and I don't think I'm allergic to that), and I went back to work at a place I worked at before (and nothing happened then). Other than that, no changes. Well, my dad turned up the hot water heater so the water comes out hotter than it used to, but I don't take showers that are any different, temperature wise.
I hope you guys can help me out. Monika has nothing but good things to say about you guys. |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Nick on June 09, 2003, 10:03:54 PM
Hi Mon and a speacial Hi to Heather Bee :hi:
If I had to take a stab I would have said it looks and sounds like a form of folliculitis. Considering how it's staying pretty much around the scalp and is causing the raised red spots that sounds very much like the sort of reaction you might get to it.
Some of the images or links at DermNetNZ (http://www.dermnetnz.org/dna.folliculitis/info.html) might help to tie it down.
Does anything here look familiar ?
|
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Nick on June 09, 2003, 10:09:49 PM
Hi Heather,
I just read your message.
Regardless of what the problem is it's quite important that you really try to stop the scratching. If it is folliculitis or something similar it can be made much worse by scratching. By doing that you can spead the Staph A infection that often causes it.
It's not easy to stop, trust me I know ::) but until you know for sure what the problem is try to rub rather than scratch. :hug: |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Heather Bee on June 09, 2003, 10:16:09 PM
| Can anyone recommend something that could soothe the itching? And would it be bad to use just plain fragrence free lotion on it?? ??? |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: peterb on June 09, 2003, 10:32:43 PM
Hi Heather
I found this, does this resemble your symtoms?
If dandruff flakes are greasy and thick, the probable cause is the skin condition known as Seborrhoeic dermatitis. This form of dandruff causes intense itching, which makes you scratch that leads to infection, resulting with oily secretions in scalp and neck. |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: cara on June 09, 2003, 11:08:02 PM
heather...
just as a side note, sometimes you don't need to change products to develop an allergic reaction. over time i have developed an allergy to a chemical in shampoos and so i have a hard time finding one that doesn't have it. shampoo never bothered me in the past. allergies can be frustrating b/c it's tough to narrow it down. maybe you want to get patch tested when you go to your derm.
good luck!!
cara |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Heather Bee on June 10, 2003, 03:05:44 AM
| I just want to say thanks for all of your responses to my problem! It's nice to know people care. I hope I can find out soon what's going on....this sucks |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Heather Bee on June 10, 2003, 03:09:44 AM
"If dandruff flakes are greasy and thick, the probable cause is the skin condition known as Seborrhoeic dermatitis. This form of dandruff causes intense itching, which makes you scratch that leads to infection, resulting with oily secretions in scalp and neck."
In this particular disorder, would it be likely to spread to the back of the neck and ears??? |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: peterb on June 10, 2003, 06:30:59 AM
| Hi Heather try this link------- http://www.dermnetnz.org/index.html ---------then press the S for Seborrhoeic dermatitis and follow the link. |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Micheybell on June 11, 2003, 07:57:20 PM
:'(
Hi I am new to the forum. I saw your posting to Heather relating to folliculitis. I have developed a pimply (almost like little white heads), red, itchy rash along my forehead and down the sides of my face. This rash first developed several months ago (I think). to be honest I can't even remember when I first started seeing symptoms. I have never had acne of course I did have pimples here and there but nothing ever like this. I went to several derm's and they said I had acne and they prescribed topical med's for acne such as benzaclyn, differin, cleocin, finevin etc... and none of them helped for this condition. I recently got married and spent way too much time worrying about the condition that it actually got worse. I've been making myself sick over this. It's just very uncomfortable both physically & mentally. I went to another derm. last week and I asked her if this could be folliculitis she said she thought it was pityrosporum folliculitis and she prescribed to me, Dermatop (steroid emolient) and Liprox (antifungal cream) - I hate saying that word, antifungal so basically I have a fungus growing on my face, how attractive. LOL - Anyway I got back to see the derm again in one week. The medecine helped clear up alot of the redness and some of the pimples. I am no where close to being completely clear but I'll continue the Dermatop & Loprox for another week as requested by the doc. and see what happens. Any advice you can offer me would be greatly appreciated. thanks for listening to my boring story. |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: andy50 on June 11, 2003, 08:02:13 PM
| if it is seborrhoeic dermatitis heather(which is what i suffer from myself)then there is a chance it will spread onto your neck and behind the ears,best to see a dermatologist to be sure,there is a non steriod cream called derma nova ps98 which i`ve found very effective in treating my condition,the shampoo`s i`ve used to control the dandruff are usually selsun and nizoral and they work pretty well. |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: peterb on June 11, 2003, 10:13:47 PM
:hi:Micheybell
A big welcome to the Forum, your story wasn't boring, we are here to give support. I have found an article on your condition, you are on standard treatment for your condition. Some other members may be able to offer advice.
http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/pityrosporum_folli.html |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Heather Bee on June 12, 2003, 03:11:20 AM
Hey Micheybell
Welcome. What you have doesn't sound like what I have; I don't have the acne-looking stuff. I'm pretty convinced of the seborrhoeic dermatitis theory, and I'm going to the doc sometime next week (since I can't get into see a derm until Late July, and that's the earliest). But, anyway, you're not boring! Welcome to the club. If I come across anything, you'll be the first person I send it to. Best wishes with your condition. I know how it feels to be frustrated; All the rash and the dandruff can't be something anyone wants to see. Hang in there, and if you need some support, you know where to find me :) I'm a good listener! |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Nick on June 12, 2003, 01:04:52 PM
Hi Micheybell,
Welcome to SkinCell :hi:
Boring? Not at all :shake:
It sounds to me like you are doing everything right as far as treatment is concerned. Folliculitis can take a while to clear but it's important to keep up the treatment. If you don't then you could risk losing the advances that you have made against and you find you're back at square one :(
Try not to worry yourself about the F, it will clear in time, but worry and skin disorder and very closely related. The more stressed you get the worse you skin might get, I know I certainly fall into that category.
Oh and about the fungus .... I know where you're coming from :lol:
It sounds really creepy doesn't it :-X
But that's nothing compared to what you can find under an electron microscope. I watche done program on Discovery one time that looked at the bugs and microbes on a dishy models skin after she had just come out of the shower ........
Aggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh ! Bugs the size of buses and all sorts of stuff that we just never see.
So, the next time you worry about the word "fungus" just remember that everybody, even the best looking models, are plastered with exactly the same bugs, fungii, spores and mould as we are ;) :up: |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Val on June 12, 2003, 04:25:49 PM
:hi: Heather Bee & Micheybell,
Sorry I'm late, but welcome to both of you. ;D
Heather, I'm pleased that the other's have been able to point you in the right direction. Hope you doctor can recommend some treatments to help your scalp and neck. :hug:
Micheybell, As Nick say's you're doing the right things so far. Just don't give up on the treatments yet, these things do take time.
As for boring. :shake: That's what this place is for, getting and giving support to each other regardless of which skin condition anyone has. ;)
Looking forward to getting to know you both better through your posts.
Val :hug: :hug: |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Nick on June 13, 2003, 11:20:55 PM
Heather Bee,
I did some follow up work on your reaction to the Elidel.
It seems that your reaction to it is not uncommon at all.
About 4% of users suffer from extreme itching and up to 10% can suffer burning or erythema |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Heather Bee on June 14, 2003, 06:24:30 AM
| Thanks for checking up on that Nick. Just as an update, a nice little red, dry rash has started making its way down my forehead. And on top of that, my sister has been making me feel really good by telling me how disgusting I am and how no one will want me when I'm like this. She even told her daughters not to come in close proximity to me because of the flaking. She did apologize, sort of, by saying she was only picking on me, but neverthe less, I cried hard. It's not easy, as you guys know, and it makes me feel oh so much better knowing that people see me as disgusting. Doesn't do much in the area of self-esteem. Well, I just wanted to vent that to people who would understand my pain. Thanks again for all the support. I need it. |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Monika on June 14, 2003, 06:31:05 AM
Ohhhhh Heather is your sis coming to church Sunday with you? I'll beat her up for you!!! >:( >:( >:(
You are not contagious!!! :bighug:
I'm glad you get to go the regular doc soon... maybe he can get you into the derm earlier than July. (Also, you can ask the derm to put you on a cancellation list, so they'll call you when someone cancels their appointment)
Sorry your sis was so insensitive. :hug: |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Heather Bee on June 17, 2003, 03:48:24 AM
Horray! I'm going to the doc tomorrow! ;D It's not a derm, but I'll take what I can get. Hopefully, something will be figured out. In the meantime, I just itch. And sweating makes it lik 10X worse :'(
Also, I found something that's been giving me a little relief, so I thought I'd share. It's Vaseline Dual Action Alpha Hydroxy Petroleum Jelly Cream. It's like lotion, and it's been a blessing. After I used Metrogel, my neck looked like I had a chemical burn (according to Monika) and I was just waiting for the skin to just crack and split. I took a chance with this stuff and it really helped. It sloughed off some of the really dry, scaly skin and made my neck feel good again. I've also been using after I blow dry my hair, because that dries me out too. Anyway, I thought I might advertise this stuff in the event that it helps someone else. It's just over the counter stuff; my mom got it somewhere.
Wish me luck with the doc tomorrow!! |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Celery Peach on June 17, 2003, 10:40:45 AM
:hi: Hi Heather :hi:
:hi: Hi Micheybell :hi:
Sorry its a bit late, Welcome to Skincell. ;D ;D
Shame on your sister Heather :shake: A bit lacking in the tact department. Good luck with the doc tomorrow :hug:
Micheybell, I hope the treatment continues to work for you, good luck :hug:
Celery :-* :-*
|
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Nick on June 17, 2003, 01:25:53 PM
Hey there Heather.
Your sisters reaction sounds fairly similar and is very spiteful.
It might be worth you pointing out to her that, as a blood sister, she may run a very high risk of suffering exactly the same fate.
Many years ago my brothe rpoked fun at my psoriasis which he thought was highly amusing. He wasn't laughing when I told him that due to the genetic nature of P he could go from normal to flakey in a week. That shut him up.
Don't you worry yourself about your sisters comments matey. We're all behind you on this. I just hope your sister comes down with it 10 times worse - spiteful woman ! |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: ami on June 17, 2003, 02:08:04 PM
| Sorry to hear that your sister is be spiteful Heather. We know how it feels I was cover from head to foot with *P I got some very rude comments. But being here on the forum help alot least you got people to talk too and cheer you up. |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Heather Bee on June 18, 2003, 03:43:20 AM
| The verdict is in and you guy were right: I have sebohorreic (however you spell it) dermititis. Although I know what the disorder is, I still haven't the foggiest as to the cause. Doc said it could be stress, but this is the least stressed I've been in a while (it's been nice). Anyway, a three week treatment of Denorex and some Temovate Solution for the itching (HORRAY ;D ). If nothing helps, then I get to have a skin biopsy to try to find the cause. Let's hope this works! Thanks again for all your help!! |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Monika on June 18, 2003, 04:01:51 AM
Heather, I'm so glad you got a diagnosis today!!! (I have better luck with GP's than with derms, believe it or not)
I hope the stuff he gave you works FAST! :hug:
|
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Val on June 18, 2003, 11:48:59 AM
:hi: Heather,
Firstly your sister >:( It's true what they say 'you can choose your friends but with family you have no choice.' >:( Tell her you may look a little disgusting (in her eyes) on the outside, but she's disgusting on the inside. >:(
I'm really pleased you managed to find something to ease the itch and also that you now know what it is. :hug:
Remember when your docs say it may have been stress that kicked this off, they don't necessarily mean you are stressed now it could be a delayed reaction. Often our bodies are so busy coping with stress or worry (another form of stress), that it's when the stress eases that the physical effects appear.
| If nothing helps, then I get to have a skin biopsy to try to find the cause. Let's hope this works! |
|
I hope it does too. But please bear in mind that like many of us, you may never know the 'cause.'
Good luck.
:hug: |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Heather Bee on June 20, 2003, 07:14:24 AM
| Horray! I can feel a patch of normal skin on my neck!!!! As for the sis, I'll just make fun of her weird toes and pop when she walks. That never goes away. I guess it's just sisters being sisters; if it's not one thing, it's another. I was just really upset at first. Now that things are clearing up, I'm gettin a haircut, some highlights and a tan. I have a conference at the end of July in Kentucky, and I can't represent sunny Florida all pastey white and unstylish!!!! Not to mention flake-free!! I can't wait!!!!! |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Alison on June 20, 2003, 08:20:08 AM
glad things are looking up for you heather :)
ggrrr@ your sis >:( |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Val on June 20, 2003, 08:54:51 PM
That's the spirit Heather :up: You go to Kentucky and blow them away with your 8) hair and tan. :D
Don't know about the sister thing I don't have any, but would have thought a little compassion wouldn't be too much to ask for from them. >:( But hey she started this so why not get back at her a little. ;)
I'm really pleased to hear that you have some clear skin coming through, keep it up girl. :clap: ;D
:hug: |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Monika on June 21, 2003, 05:52:32 AM
| Oh yeah, I think it's more than a "patch" of clear skin. Heather, your neck is looking almost completely normal again!!! Yipppeeee!!! :hug: I'm so glad for ya! :hug: |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: fishs on June 21, 2003, 07:18:08 AM
:hi:
Hi Heather ..
Good to hear you are getting some relief and things are looking on the up..
Good show .. Hope things keep improving.
Fish |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Nick on June 21, 2003, 07:56:27 AM
Great news HB :up:
I'm so pleased for you :hug:
You said you weren't sure about the cause of the outbreak ?
Well seborrhoeic dermatitis is normally caused by a type of yeast called Pityrosporum Ovale which is also known as Malassezia.
Some people may find themselves more open to an attack due to stress or a general drop in health, but it certainly is treatable with the items you mentioned.
The yeast is usually present on everybodies skin, but with seborrhoeic dermatitis it just tends to get a bit out of control. When it's found in the scalp it can be fairly easily treated with ketoconazole, selenium disulphide, zinc pyrithione, coal tar or salicylic acid depending on the severity.
Well it certainly sounds like you have a good game plan, and at least your seborrhoeic dermatitis can be treated with potions unlike your sisters toes :lol:
|
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: Celery Peach on June 21, 2003, 08:23:25 AM
:hi: Hi Heather
Thats great news that you're on the mend ;D Yeah.... go knock their socks off in Kentucky ! :bounce: |
Title: Re:Help for my friend Heather
Post by: LittleHarp on July 04, 2003, 01:15:04 AM
| Heather! Glad to hear you are clearing up. I have had some spots on my arm before and they bothered me but it's so hard to explain how great it feels when they clear up. Guess you can say you want to act like a crazy cheerleader or something. Well, happy clear days! ;) |
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