***I know that it sounds CRAZY, but could I have SCABIES!?!?!?!

Melissa765 · 07-07-2006, 06:14 PM

Hi, I've been itchy all over my body for nearly 2 days now. And I do mean EVERYWHERE! The only place that there's an actual rash is on the backs of my knees, inbetween my fingers, on one of my toes, and under my breasts (more just redness under the breasts). I called my dermatologist to try to get an appointment, but she said that she was sure it's just allergic dermatitis and called in triamcinolone acetonide cream. It's hard to describe, but the actual rashy spots kind of look like irregularly shaped hives... and some look like tiny, tiny, tiny eczema-like bumps. Now, ever since I saw a show on TV where someone had scabies, at the first sign of a little itchy spot on my body, I automatically think that *I* have it. I'm VERY, VERY clean (OCD clean... literally), and even though it is not caused by uncleanliness, I'm not sure how I would have gotten it, as I don't touch other people! The only thing that came to mind is the fact that I'm in hospitals 3 or 4 times a week (for ongoing healthcare after an injury), and if someone there had it, and then I sat where they sat, or bumped against them... blah blah blah.

What made me think of scabies SERIOUSLY this time was the location of the rashes! Just a few hours ago, I noticed that I had about 7 little red marks on the palm of my right hand. BUT, I don't have any gray lines ("burrows") on my fingers, or anywhere else for that matter.

Lastly, after putting the cream on, the spots seem less irritated and red, and they're not as itchy. Would that cream work only if it was allergic dermatitis (so I can be sure that it's not scabies because it helped it), or would it help the irritation caused by scabies as well?!?!

Thanks for any help! I'm in a little bit of a panic here!!!

jojo · 07-07-2006, 06:23 PM

Hi Melissa....I don't now what you have but I was thinking a couple of things to try...One would be go to either the health food store or the pharmacy....and buy some OATMEAL Bath...Soak in that a couple of times and see if that helps...ALSO....try benedril...if you have broken out like with hives that benedril and the OATMEAL Bath will help relive the itching and help it heal faster.....both ways a inexpensive . Hope they help!

Melissa765 · 07-07-2006, 06:53 PM

Thank you!

I've actually already been taking Benadryl all day, but it hasn't seemed to help much.

I forgot to add in my original post that I have chronic allergies (all 4 seasons), sinus infections, asthma, and occasional VERY MILD eczema. And for the first time in about 2 years, I went outside and tanned for a good 5 hours (I never sit outdoors that long because I get very allergic). Ever since then, I've felt sick (i.e. itchy eyes, runny nose, sore throat), but the rash didn't start until about 7 or 8 days after I sat outside... so I kind of just dismissed that as a cause.

Can something from that long ago cause a reaction now???

ozzybug · 07-07-2006, 08:01 PM

This is just my opinion, but is it possible you have hand foot & mouth or maybe even some type of a yeast infection? If your dermatologist can't get you in, you might want to go to your primary care doctor or even an urgent care. The only reason I suggest an appointment ASAP is because it is hoof & mouth or a yeast infection they are both highly contageous. Not trying to worry you, but I've seen both of these things show the same kind of rash you are explaining. Do you have any swelling in your joints? Sometimes Fifth's will give a rash similar to this but without the joint pain & swelling. Have you changed shaving creams/gels/lotions or detergents, soaps or anything like that that might cause and allergic reaction?

Let us know!

Lezlee

Melissa765 · 07-07-2006, 08:44 PM

Welllllllll... I doubt that it's Fifth's (I looked at pictures online and my skin isn't blotchy like that... it's raised and bumpy), and hand & foot, or hand foot & mouth aren't usually itchy, right? This is intensely itchy... and even in places where there doesn't appear to be a rash. Now that you mention yeast though, I'm seriously considering that as a possibility. Where the cream also helped, and I believe it's an anti-fungal used to treat yeast as well, that would also make sense. Where it's mostly in the folds of my skin (i.e. between fingers, under breasts, backs of knees), that would seem pretty likely too.

Another thing is that I dyed my hair the day before this happened, and perhaps when I took a shower, and the dye washed all over my body in the shower (although it was only for a second), I had some sort of reaction???

I don't know... The only thing that I'm really worried about is the scabies possibility. Does that seem likely at all? Or, in your opinion is it most-likely something else?