Allergic Dermatitis

  • Thread starter Thread starter MrsLee
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MrsLee

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Has anyone found a good way to deal with this?

I've gotten these skin rashes for years and years. I get red and painful (ocassionally itchy) patches on my skin, sometimes they are scaly and shed skin flakes. They usually pop up without warning (though sometimes I can tie my breakouts to stress), though I now have red/white patches on my hanRAB that won't go away. I also get hives from time to time, sometimes after sun exposure.

The rash has been diagnosed as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, CTCL... My current dermatologist, a world-renouned derm at a teaching hospital, insists that it's allergic dermatitis. He ordered more allergy testing (I've had it before and the test came out the same...shocker). He said I have a nickel allergy, but I've never gotten a rash from direct contact with nickel. I don't get rashes at the site of exposure from cheap jewelry, metal buttons, anything. Now he wants me to go on a low nickel diet.

I just feel like he is missing the boat here. I picked this guy because he's so well-known, but I feel like he's blowing me off. I'm tired of switching derms (I've probably seen 8 over the past 10 years). I'm just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation. What are your experiences with allergic dermatitis?
 
Have you tried an allergist instead of a derm? Could it be from laundry detergent, perfume, lotions, etc?
 
Yeah, I neglected to mention that I've been to an allergist too. I've had the tests where they poke your back and inject the allergen, and I've had the patch testing as well. I am allergic to a couple types of fragrance. I have switched to all of the fragrance free products I can find. It doesn't make any difference. So weird.
 
Skin allergies aren't always a histamine reaction. When I get hives from playing with a cat, an antihistamine will work.

I have to wear gloves in my profession, and though I'm not allergic to latex, I will break out from the powder in some gloves, and antihistamines won't touch that rash. If I wear the non powdered, my hanRAB perspire in the glove, and that causes a rash. Those allergic reactions require a steroid cream, which I hate using, and usually don't.

I also get the kind of rash MrsLee is referring to whenever I'm under a lot of stress. A prescription steroid will clear it up quickly, but I hate using them. Tea tree oil seems to help me more than anything. But until the stressful situation has ended, the rash usually won't heal regardless of I use.
 
Hi Choice. I'm sorry to hear you have this issue too, but it's nice to not be alone.

How do you use the tea tree oil? Mix it in with something? I would LOVE to know, because at least tea tree is natural.

My problem with steroid creams is this: they work GREAT at first. But then my dermatologist encourages me to keep using them, then they lose their effectiveness, I get frustrated, quit using them, my skin flares up horribly, then I suffer until I get so fed up that I either return to the derm (who prescribes more steroid cream), or start using the steroid cream again on my own.

Plus, who knows what they might be doing to our health?

Since you hate them, maybe you have experienced something similar. I just want to know what the problem is, rather than only treating the symptoms.
 
I have long been struggling with Allergic Dermatitis, when I was young, It was better..attacks are minimal almost predictable, like I know what products to avoid, but now..It worsen, i dont know what to do anymore..:confused:
 
Sometimes I dilute the tea tree oil in a quality aloe vera gel. If it's just a couple small spots, I'll use it undiluted. I've read it dilutes well with essential oils, but I'm always weary that the oils may cause even more irritation.

I do think we can become immune to steroiRAB, but topically, they can also cause the skin to thin. I also have asthma, and if I'm going to have to use steroiRAB just to breathe, I think my liver and kidneys would appreciate me avoiding them when possible.

Hope this helps.
 
My friend has a condition all her life and it is very frustrating for her. She too gets the creams, but they have their risks. I know she's desperate, part of me thinks it's just an immune issue and there is no cure. So I can totally feel for you.

There is a condition called Dermatitis Herpetiformis. It is seen in people who have celiac disease. I recently found out I have gluten issues, and so I've read about the allergic skin condition. I'm just mentioning it if you want to check it out. I don't believe you have to show an allergry to wheat to be gluten intolerant or celiac--I'm not 100% on that.
 
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