Rash and docs shut
Heya guys
In a bit of a pickle.. not well atm and with the bank holiday I can't get to the doctors till Tuesday. I've cancelled all my clients until I can see the doc and be sure it's ok.
Basically I've had a throat infection for the last two weeks, the second week I went onto antibiotics which I thought had cleared it up - then thought I could start working again. I finished them on Friday. Since then I've developed quite a bad rash over my chest and upper arms, and it's on my face too like little pinpricks of red and it itches like hell. Thing is it isn't very red, just exceptionally sore and itchy.
I've just been told that my neices have chicken pox, which I have had already and I'm pretty sure it can't be that.
Around my chin and mouth the skins quite hard and tender and looks discoloured a bit. I occasionally get this when I am menstruating - well just a touch of dryness there, related to the ovaries at the sides.. but this is all the bottom half of my face.
I'm also very very lethargic and wanting to sleep all the time and feeling quite cloudy.
It's really really sore and itchy and having clothes or anything touch the affected areas is painful..
I am unsure what to do in the meantime, have been using a lot of tea tree and lavender compresses to soothe it but it's still there.Also been bathing in soothing oils, but at a loss of what else I can do really. I've been living on fruit and veg for the most part to give myself a boost and am on antihistamines already for hayfever which should help a bit if it's an allergic reaction, i would have thought. Being very careful with what I touch and have isolated towels for my own use and steering well clear of my other half so he doesn't come into contact with it.
Anyone got any clues as to what this might be and perhaps any advice on something I've not tried to make sure I'm putting myself or anyone else at risk of catching this (if it's even catchy)and also to make it hurt less!
Answers:
Would it be possible for you to completely rest? Also do you have any sea salt? Havin a bath in 9% sea salt will help ;)
Answers:
Hi Gussie
I may be wrong here, but I'm wondering if it might be a delayed reaction to the antibiotics you were taking? I recently took some tablets for a bad back and a rash came up all over my body, but this was AFTER 10 days!! So I didn't immediately connect the two. I stopped taking the tablets and it soon went. It worried me at the time though. [:@]
Sorry I can't be more helpful.
Best wishes
Moonfairy
x
Answers:
Pick up the dog and bone and have a word with NHS 24 - they were brilliant recently on two occasions - once with my nieghbour, whose 3 year old developed a very high fever on a friday night (typical!) and became very lethargic and quiet very quickly. The nurse on NHS 24 talked to my nieghbour, and quickly ascertained that something was not right and called an ambulance for them, waiting until it arrived before she hung up. It was a strep infection, and could potentially have been very nasty. A few hours in A&£ on a drip and anti-biotics was all she needed, and she was home by tea-time on Saturday.
The other occasion was my husband. Middle of the night. Woke me up saying that he couldn't breath. His lips weren't blue, but his temp was up, so I rang NHS 24 just for information. The nurse at that time asked to speak to him direct. She spent 45 mins on the phone to him, calmly asking him questions and waiting for a response. At the end of the call she asked to speak to me. She asked me what colour his skin was (pink, but very pale) and if his lips were blue (no). She had established that his breathing had slowed down, even so, she said that he was to just sit and, if necessary, watch rubbish on the TV whilst sipping plain water, and that an appointment had been made with his GP for 0800 that morning. He sat on a comfy chair in front of the box and was asleep in seconds. I sat and watched him for 4 hours!!! When he saw the doc, the reason for the feeling he had was a very high blood pressure (190/160!!!). He is now on BP tabs, started exercising, radically altered his eating habits, lost nearly 2 stone and feels brilliant - 18 months later his BP is 130/80!
NHS 24 may get a blasting, but I got brilliant help from them.
Answers:
I agree that it is probably a reaction to the anti-biotics. If you have any anti-histamine, that might help and see the doctor as soon as you can.
Make sure it's on your notes not to take the anti-biotics again as once you have reacted, any further reaction could be much more serious.
Lesley
Answers:
sorry to hear you feel like this. do you have an NHS walk in Centre you could visit , they are very helpful
What you describe sounds as tho it could be shingles particularly as you say it is very painful small blister type rash. I have had shingles and thought it had come back because
i recently had a throat infection ( no antibiotics)and later came out in a rash ( not a painful one ) then another rash so went to the doc who told me I had gutatte psorisis which was a reaction to the throat infection
whatever it is i hope you feel better soon
Answers:
Little update,
Jabba - I called NHS direct and they will contact me within 4 hours.. so have a little time to wait. The chap I spoke to was very nice so fingers crossed.
In the meantime.. thanks to guy guys who have posted it's very much appreciated.
Moonfairy and Aromababe- I think the antibiotics are ok with me, I've had them a number of times before and this only happened after I'd stopped the course I was on. I will however mention this tothe doctor in case there is a link he needs to investigate.. I always thought reactions were immediate but I'll see what he says.
Soar - with my throat infection - and the fact that the coughs coming back since I stopped the antibiotics, it sounds quite possible that it's psoriasis guttate - have seen some pics on google and they are similar... what did you do to get rid of it? Antibiotics?
CHegarty - Just had a lovely bath with some gentle aromatherapy oils and sea salt - heaven. Felt great during the bath.. itching came back after ten minutes but wow that bath was lovely! Will have another in the morning and use salt again.
Idon't believe we have a drop in and I wont bother the A&E far too busy for my little worries - I'll stick to the tea tree and self-helpuntil I can get to the normal doctors.
Answers:
10% of the population have an adverse reaction to Penicillin and it's derivatives. The most common reaction is that of a rash - known ingeniously as penicillin rash.
What where the antibiotics?
If they end with -illin, then they're derived from penicillin.
If that's the case, then I agree with Lesley -
You should be okay with non-penicillin based antibiotics in an emergency i.e. tetracycline
Suggest stoking yourself with probiotics - acidophillus supplements, plain live yoghurt, etc - in the meantime.
If you can get someone to work on your neck and thoracic spine all the better.
Andrew.
Answers:
Glad you enjpyed your bath - let me know how it goes with the 9% sea salt - this is good for all of us even if skin not sore
I used to suffer terribly with eczma and theres nothing worse than being really itchy so I can understand ;)
Answers:
NHS direct called back at 1am.. I was a sleepyhead then hehe.. they say I have all the symptoms of shingles but the pattern on my skin isn't right, it's down the centre, and as it doesn't go across a nerve they are a bit foxed.
It was penicillin but I've had that many times before, but of course it's always possible I've developed a sensitivity since the last time.
Still itchybut a little less red today, tried the docs just in case, and they are shut today. Will try tomorrow. Sleeping lots and resting lots. I've started back on acidophilus and been taking a little aloe vera juice and selenium since this kicked off.. so I guess I did something right?
Not sure about the neck thing, been doing a little stretching but scared to ask my better half to touch my skin in case he can catch anything.. if I get the all clear tomorrow I'll ask..
Bathtime! Yipee! I have to admit - it's nice to sit and chill and have long baths, feeling crappy but boy I feel pampered!
Answers:
My husband was well into his thirties when he developed an allergy to amoxicillin - something he had had many times before.
Lesley
Answers:
Am sure there's a THread on penicillin allergy ( and its' derivatives) in allergy Forum.
Andrew.
Answers:
Soar - with my throat infection - and the fact that the coughs coming back since I stopped the antibiotics, it sounds quite possible that it's psoriasis guttate - have seen some pics on google and they are similar... what did you do to get rid of it? Antibiotics?
I really thought I had shingles but with no pain and the rash not on a nerve line the doc said guttate psorisis and no treatment , just that it would clear up eventually!
i sympathise as in the last month i have had a strep throat infection, 3 rashes a virus (probably all the same thing) and now have stinking cold
must admit tho that when this all started i didn't rest enough but with the second strike i gave up and did rest and started to feel better when the rash began to fade
so my advice is rest as much as you can
hpe you feel better soon
Answers:
Update again.. didn't get to the doctors - in the end they had no appointments for me, will let you know how things go tomorrow.. oh the joys of it.. *itch*
Answers:
Ok finally been to see the docs.. she says it's deborrhoeic dermatitis/ eczema. It's nothing to worry about but looking on the net tiredness can bring a bout on. Makes sense. Glad it's not anything catchy cause above all else I didn't want to have risked my mum-outlaws health whilst she's on chemo.. so VERY glad I'm not infecting anyone but myself..
Got some daktacort which I have to use till it's gone and also continuing with the baths and dabbing with oils.
I asked her if this might be a reaction to the drugs but she is confident that it isn't the same as the rash which is normally caused by this.
I still look manky as hell and have been told that it should clear in 2-4 weeks. Gonna buy a balaclava methinks! Currently over my arms, hands, face, neck and chest but it's a lot less red than it was and the itchiness and pain is a lot less than it was. I feel so unclean and want to wash all the time, which I've been told is bad cause it strips all the oils out. Ho hum.. I'll stick toa couple of baths a day with some nice oils in. *smirk* Onwards and upwards!!
Answers:
glad you got it sorted , hope you feel better soon
Answers:
It comes and goes - less itchy but it's sneaky and when I treat one area it moves elsewhere. I must have scratched in my sleep cause I have a big mark on my neck which looks like a lovebite, I feel like a teenager again! but I do look so manky. *smirk*
Answers:
Heya J, *hugs from a distance* :D
You'll have to wear mittens on yer mits whilst sleeping to stop you scratching yourself. ;)
Love and Reiki *distance still* hugs.
In a bit of a pickle.. not well atm and with the bank holiday I can't get to the doctors till Tuesday. I've cancelled all my clients until I can see the doc and be sure it's ok.
Basically I've had a throat infection for the last two weeks, the second week I went onto antibiotics which I thought had cleared it up - then thought I could start working again. I finished them on Friday. Since then I've developed quite a bad rash over my chest and upper arms, and it's on my face too like little pinpricks of red and it itches like hell. Thing is it isn't very red, just exceptionally sore and itchy.
I've just been told that my neices have chicken pox, which I have had already and I'm pretty sure it can't be that.
Around my chin and mouth the skins quite hard and tender and looks discoloured a bit. I occasionally get this when I am menstruating - well just a touch of dryness there, related to the ovaries at the sides.. but this is all the bottom half of my face.
I'm also very very lethargic and wanting to sleep all the time and feeling quite cloudy.
It's really really sore and itchy and having clothes or anything touch the affected areas is painful..
I am unsure what to do in the meantime, have been using a lot of tea tree and lavender compresses to soothe it but it's still there.Also been bathing in soothing oils, but at a loss of what else I can do really. I've been living on fruit and veg for the most part to give myself a boost and am on antihistamines already for hayfever which should help a bit if it's an allergic reaction, i would have thought. Being very careful with what I touch and have isolated towels for my own use and steering well clear of my other half so he doesn't come into contact with it.
Anyone got any clues as to what this might be and perhaps any advice on something I've not tried to make sure I'm putting myself or anyone else at risk of catching this (if it's even catchy)and also to make it hurt less!
Answers:
Would it be possible for you to completely rest? Also do you have any sea salt? Havin a bath in 9% sea salt will help ;)
Answers:
Hi Gussie
I may be wrong here, but I'm wondering if it might be a delayed reaction to the antibiotics you were taking? I recently took some tablets for a bad back and a rash came up all over my body, but this was AFTER 10 days!! So I didn't immediately connect the two. I stopped taking the tablets and it soon went. It worried me at the time though. [:@]
Sorry I can't be more helpful.
Best wishes
Moonfairy
x
Answers:
Pick up the dog and bone and have a word with NHS 24 - they were brilliant recently on two occasions - once with my nieghbour, whose 3 year old developed a very high fever on a friday night (typical!) and became very lethargic and quiet very quickly. The nurse on NHS 24 talked to my nieghbour, and quickly ascertained that something was not right and called an ambulance for them, waiting until it arrived before she hung up. It was a strep infection, and could potentially have been very nasty. A few hours in A&£ on a drip and anti-biotics was all she needed, and she was home by tea-time on Saturday.
The other occasion was my husband. Middle of the night. Woke me up saying that he couldn't breath. His lips weren't blue, but his temp was up, so I rang NHS 24 just for information. The nurse at that time asked to speak to him direct. She spent 45 mins on the phone to him, calmly asking him questions and waiting for a response. At the end of the call she asked to speak to me. She asked me what colour his skin was (pink, but very pale) and if his lips were blue (no). She had established that his breathing had slowed down, even so, she said that he was to just sit and, if necessary, watch rubbish on the TV whilst sipping plain water, and that an appointment had been made with his GP for 0800 that morning. He sat on a comfy chair in front of the box and was asleep in seconds. I sat and watched him for 4 hours!!! When he saw the doc, the reason for the feeling he had was a very high blood pressure (190/160!!!). He is now on BP tabs, started exercising, radically altered his eating habits, lost nearly 2 stone and feels brilliant - 18 months later his BP is 130/80!
NHS 24 may get a blasting, but I got brilliant help from them.
Answers:
I agree that it is probably a reaction to the anti-biotics. If you have any anti-histamine, that might help and see the doctor as soon as you can.
Make sure it's on your notes not to take the anti-biotics again as once you have reacted, any further reaction could be much more serious.
Lesley
Answers:
sorry to hear you feel like this. do you have an NHS walk in Centre you could visit , they are very helpful
What you describe sounds as tho it could be shingles particularly as you say it is very painful small blister type rash. I have had shingles and thought it had come back because
i recently had a throat infection ( no antibiotics)and later came out in a rash ( not a painful one ) then another rash so went to the doc who told me I had gutatte psorisis which was a reaction to the throat infection
whatever it is i hope you feel better soon
Answers:
Little update,
Jabba - I called NHS direct and they will contact me within 4 hours.. so have a little time to wait. The chap I spoke to was very nice so fingers crossed.
In the meantime.. thanks to guy guys who have posted it's very much appreciated.
Moonfairy and Aromababe- I think the antibiotics are ok with me, I've had them a number of times before and this only happened after I'd stopped the course I was on. I will however mention this tothe doctor in case there is a link he needs to investigate.. I always thought reactions were immediate but I'll see what he says.
Soar - with my throat infection - and the fact that the coughs coming back since I stopped the antibiotics, it sounds quite possible that it's psoriasis guttate - have seen some pics on google and they are similar... what did you do to get rid of it? Antibiotics?
CHegarty - Just had a lovely bath with some gentle aromatherapy oils and sea salt - heaven. Felt great during the bath.. itching came back after ten minutes but wow that bath was lovely! Will have another in the morning and use salt again.
Idon't believe we have a drop in and I wont bother the A&E far too busy for my little worries - I'll stick to the tea tree and self-helpuntil I can get to the normal doctors.
Answers:
10% of the population have an adverse reaction to Penicillin and it's derivatives. The most common reaction is that of a rash - known ingeniously as penicillin rash.
What where the antibiotics?
If they end with -illin, then they're derived from penicillin.
If that's the case, then I agree with Lesley -
You should be okay with non-penicillin based antibiotics in an emergency i.e. tetracycline
Suggest stoking yourself with probiotics - acidophillus supplements, plain live yoghurt, etc - in the meantime.
If you can get someone to work on your neck and thoracic spine all the better.
Andrew.
Answers:
Glad you enjpyed your bath - let me know how it goes with the 9% sea salt - this is good for all of us even if skin not sore
I used to suffer terribly with eczma and theres nothing worse than being really itchy so I can understand ;)
Answers:
NHS direct called back at 1am.. I was a sleepyhead then hehe.. they say I have all the symptoms of shingles but the pattern on my skin isn't right, it's down the centre, and as it doesn't go across a nerve they are a bit foxed.
It was penicillin but I've had that many times before, but of course it's always possible I've developed a sensitivity since the last time.
Still itchybut a little less red today, tried the docs just in case, and they are shut today. Will try tomorrow. Sleeping lots and resting lots. I've started back on acidophilus and been taking a little aloe vera juice and selenium since this kicked off.. so I guess I did something right?
Not sure about the neck thing, been doing a little stretching but scared to ask my better half to touch my skin in case he can catch anything.. if I get the all clear tomorrow I'll ask..
Bathtime! Yipee! I have to admit - it's nice to sit and chill and have long baths, feeling crappy but boy I feel pampered!
Answers:
My husband was well into his thirties when he developed an allergy to amoxicillin - something he had had many times before.
Lesley
Answers:
Am sure there's a THread on penicillin allergy ( and its' derivatives) in allergy Forum.
Andrew.
Answers:
Soar - with my throat infection - and the fact that the coughs coming back since I stopped the antibiotics, it sounds quite possible that it's psoriasis guttate - have seen some pics on google and they are similar... what did you do to get rid of it? Antibiotics?
I really thought I had shingles but with no pain and the rash not on a nerve line the doc said guttate psorisis and no treatment , just that it would clear up eventually!
i sympathise as in the last month i have had a strep throat infection, 3 rashes a virus (probably all the same thing) and now have stinking cold
must admit tho that when this all started i didn't rest enough but with the second strike i gave up and did rest and started to feel better when the rash began to fade
so my advice is rest as much as you can
hpe you feel better soon
Answers:
Update again.. didn't get to the doctors - in the end they had no appointments for me, will let you know how things go tomorrow.. oh the joys of it.. *itch*
Answers:
Ok finally been to see the docs.. she says it's deborrhoeic dermatitis/ eczema. It's nothing to worry about but looking on the net tiredness can bring a bout on. Makes sense. Glad it's not anything catchy cause above all else I didn't want to have risked my mum-outlaws health whilst she's on chemo.. so VERY glad I'm not infecting anyone but myself..
Got some daktacort which I have to use till it's gone and also continuing with the baths and dabbing with oils.
I asked her if this might be a reaction to the drugs but she is confident that it isn't the same as the rash which is normally caused by this.
I still look manky as hell and have been told that it should clear in 2-4 weeks. Gonna buy a balaclava methinks! Currently over my arms, hands, face, neck and chest but it's a lot less red than it was and the itchiness and pain is a lot less than it was. I feel so unclean and want to wash all the time, which I've been told is bad cause it strips all the oils out. Ho hum.. I'll stick toa couple of baths a day with some nice oils in. *smirk* Onwards and upwards!!
Answers:
glad you got it sorted , hope you feel better soon
Answers:
It comes and goes - less itchy but it's sneaky and when I treat one area it moves elsewhere. I must have scratched in my sleep cause I have a big mark on my neck which looks like a lovebite, I feel like a teenager again! but I do look so manky. *smirk*
Answers:
Heya J, *hugs from a distance* :D
You'll have to wear mittens on yer mits whilst sleeping to stop you scratching yourself. ;)
Love and Reiki *distance still* hugs.