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Skin rash

By May 13, 2010 - 1:00pm
 
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I wonder if anyone can help me. For over a year now I have had a rash on the left and right side of my chest (above my breasts), sometimes the rash continues along the inside of the top of my arms. This rash is orange/red in colour, is flat, not raised bumps or anything. Ive been told it could be a number of things. Ive had three different creams/solutions, which help to begin with, but as soon as I stop the rash arises again. At different stages the rash drys up and skin flakes off, the process starts again. This has been going on for a year. Ive been told it could be contact dermatitis or a yeast infection rash. Ive used Selsun, an oil with steriods in and and a cream with hydrocortisone in it. Also for this last year Ive had a lot of stomach problems with feeling sick, lots of bowel movemens, iron deficiency, cant gain weight and lack of periods. Does anyone know what this could be and if everything can be linked?

Many thanks

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Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger

Hi Smile - Thanks for the information, it helps a lot.
Let's deal with the skin rash first. Since you're been dealing with this for a year, and nothing that the 3 GPs have individually recommended has worked, you may need to see either a dermatologist or an allergist. Please review our reference information on contact dermatitis at https://www.empowher.com/condition/contact-dermatitis Look for the box on the left side, and the sections under Contact Dermatitis Home. Depending on what you think after reading this information it would be best to seek a referral to a specialist.

Now let's look at the other set of symptoms you've described which include a lack of periods. Please get a referral to a gynecologist and plan to provide information on all of the symptoms you've had as well as copies of the various test results.

Will you be able to follow up? I hope you will stay in touch during the process and wish you the very best. Pat

May 14, 2010 - 4:33pm
Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger

Smile - I'm sorry to hear you've been dealing with these problems for so long. Can you provide a bit more information? Have you been self-diagnosing and treating this, or have you been under a doctor's care? Have you had a physical exam to assess your overall health? Have you had any tests to assess your overall health, such as blood work? Are you able to work with a primary care physician who can look at your entire health picture, not just sections of it? Are you on any medications or supplements that could be affecting you?

I know those are a lot of questions, but there's also a lot of different things that could cause the symptoms you're experiencing. It's sort of like putting a puzzle together - you need all the pieces to do it. This process isn't really a good one to try to do over the Internet, and we can't provide you with a diagnosis. What we can do though is help you in pulling together a full picture of your health concerns so that you can get the support, diagnosis and treatment you need from a medical professional to address your health issues. Does that make sense?

Take care, Pat

May 13, 2010 - 5:41pm
(reply to Pat Elliott)

Thanks for your reply. I have been seeing my GP regarding the rash, Ive seen three different ones, who have said different things. They are the ones who have prescribed me the creams/oils.Im sure I will have to go back at somepoint and ask them to try something else.

I have had a number of blood tests in the last year. Am currently waiting for some results of some more. The only thing that has ever come up is a slightly raised immunoglobulin - IgA, which I was told was nothing to worry about. I was told I had low iron levels so was prescribed iron tablets for 3 months. All my hormones have been checked and they are all normal. Ive been on an anti-psyhcotic for 3 years very low dose, but these problems have been in the last year. My doctors don't seem too concerned about me feeling so unwell all the time and the problems isn't going away.

I understand its not the best place to do this over the interent, its just I feel like Im getting nowhere with my doctors.

May 13, 2010 - 11:55pm
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