Mystery Rash

[hazelbrown10]

Hi all! Thanks for your comments on my other posts - gluten stuff, blood sugar stuff, etc. With test results negative, I went gluten-free anyway, and I feel better. I went dairy-free too (starting yesterday) for a while to see what happens to my skin and I slept better and I'm more alert today. Yay!

I still have this mystery rash though, that's been there for over a year. It's on the sides of my trunk right below my armpits. It's mostly one patch about size of my hand, the skin is slightly pinkinsh with "dry skin" looking flakes on it. There are a few spots that are not part of the main patch. It got a lot better gluten-free, but it's still there and sort of gets better and worse now. Initially the doctor said tinea versicolor, now "eczema," but...? I really want it to go away! It looks like it could be eczema, sort of looks like a really mild case of psoriasis... I dunno.

It doesn't itch at all. I get really dry skin in winter (it's back - boo!) which is totally different, and IS itchy, cracked and painful. The doc said "I bet it's more irritated after a shower, right?" but it isn't. The dry skin sure is though!

Anyone have mystery rashes with gluten intolerance? Any idea what this could be? I'm not sure if I should pay the $30 referral fee to see either a dermatologist or allergist.

Thanks!!

[Dixiebell]

My son had small patches of dry looking skin for years. He was very sensitive to shampoo and soaps. I buy sensitive body wash for him and the suave children's shampoo seem to be ok. After him being gluten free and extremely light on dairy his scaly patches have disappeared.

Now he does have some new spots, they are not scaly and are not causing him any problems, to me it looks like vitiligo, his ped. says it looks like tinea versicolor. He said to use selson blue shampoo and just leave it on.

I think your best bet is to continue to be gluten free and possibly dairy free to for a while and see if it clears up.

[missy'smom]

hazel, is this in the area that is covered by the sides of your bra? is the material on the bra there different from the material on the other parts of your bra? Maybe this could be a chemical sensitivity/allergy? I would vote for seeing an allergist. Maybe ask about latex allergy?

[Dixiebell]

I did not even think of that. My son also has a latex allergy.

[missy'smom]

My son was allergy tested last year came back pos. for latex. In the process of learning more about it for him, I have had some unpleasant reactions, put 2 and 2 together, got tested and discovered that I have a latex allergy as well. I've learned the hard way that even if something doesn't contain latex, but contains the chemicals that are used to process latex, a person can react. These chemicals are commonly in very unlikely seeming things like parts of clothing(trims, elastics etc.), sanitary napkins, diapers etc.

[hazelbrown10]

Missy's mom, that's an interesting idea. The rash is pretty much where my bra covers it, though there are smaller splotches down my sides almost to my waist. I'm not sure if allergies spread like that since I've never had one. All my bras say they contain spandex but not latex... but maybe they are similar or the same chemicals are used in making both like you said? I guess I will just have to go bra-less for a while... hehe! One thing's for sure, I'd much rather be allergic to latex than be lactose intolerant!!

[missy'smom]

Missy's mom, that's an interesting idea. The rash is pretty much where my bra covers it, though there are smaller splotches down my sides almost to my waist. I'm not sure if allergies spread like that since I've never had one. All my bras say they contain spandex but not latex... but maybe they are similar or the same chemicals are used in making both like you said? I guess I will just have to go bra-less for a while... hehe!

Manufacturer's don't always list everything on the label. You could call the company but they may or may not disclose. Most I've called were helpful. One wouldn't tell me fabric/trim contents.

Yeah, it might be worth a try to take a break from that bra in some way for a while and see if things improve. I can't predict what may happen as my reactions have been different in nature and from different things but I know that reactions like that often occur. I am researching this lately and looking into replacing some everyday clothing items with safe alternatives to prevent/reduce the chances of me reacting, beat this allergy at it's own game, while I still have some control. Some folks with latex/chemical allergy wear cotton camisols/tanks under their bras to protect their skin. Just make sure the camisol/tank doesn't have any elastic or such, just plain cotton and that the bra straps etc. don't touch your skin. Maybe an old Hane's T-shirt with the sleeves and neckband cut off? There are latex-free all cotton bras available. Just google it.

If these things do seem connected and that you may be latex allergic/chemical sensitive, then make sure to see an allergist and get tested.