Rash .. dry it out or moisturize???

[DMickey28]

I have this HORRIBLE rash all over my body ... it started in my inner thighs and spread to the backs of my knees. Then to the front, then to the top of my thighs and my stomach. Then to the back of my hands and my forearms. Now is up to my biceps and across my chest.

*** I called my OB last week, the only doctor I had here and since it started in my stretch marks and I had DS 5 weeks ago I thought it might be related. The rash has been around since then but only flared up 10 days ago. They referred me to a dermatligst (SPP??) who was out of the office and I need to call tomorrow. If I can't get in there tomorrow or Tuesday I might go to urgent care b/c I can't take it anymore ****

It's not contagious, DH and DS have not gotten it. It itches like crazy. The spot on my inner thighs and knees along with my hand and arm are dry. The top layer of skin feels like your skin feels after a sunburn, all wrinkly but still itchy and it almost hurts.

I have tried different lotions and creams but I can't tell what helps. I have tried Aveeno Oatmeal baths and it helps for a little while. I have tried Hydrocortizone that dries it out and helps for a little while. I feel like the dry skin makes it itch more then it causes the hives ... it's a viacious cycle that I can't break.

Any advice... or do you know if you should moisturize these things or let them dry out??? I put regular lotion on my arms this AM after my shower and that was torture, I was scraping the skin within an hour.

 

[mommasita]

I would think drying it out is best...I had this on vacation once, and ran out to buy baby powder until I got home...

There are special powders for this, although expensive they work.I then take Benadryl to sleep, or I am attacking it ALL night long.. I am allergic to everything, and now seemingly I have Lupus, so I get that rash...

I hope it works for you....That is so annoying.. I do think you should get to a doctor. Perhaps what they prescribe can work FASTER..

 

[minnieandmickeymouse]

I feel your pain. I get rashes more then I'd like to, I need to find out what the heck I am allergic too. Well this morning I woke up and my face is all swollen, red, hot, and itchy. I look like I'm from a horror movie. Our health center wasn't open, but the doc. came in and saw me . Gave me prednisone, thank Gawd!!! It will take a few days for it to start working, but I know relieve is on the way.

I hope you are able to find out what is going on, and they give you something to make it go away. Good luck.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Is it raised? Is there puss? (Where's that throw up smiley??) Anyway, I have a raised up rash that I showed my grandmother the other day and she said to put some Cortizone on it and dry it up..............just some grandmotherly advice from mine to you.

 

[debknight]

Sounds like it could be a yeast infection. Didn't your OB look at it?

 

[summerrluvv]

Sounds like it could be a yeast infection. Didn't your OB look at it?

I've never heard of a yeast infection like what the OP has described.

Maybe try putting some powder on it? I know with heat rash powder helps it for some reason, so it's worth a shot.

 

[wickness2]

Right now I have a rash on my back?

I cure everything with diaper rash creme. *L* Even rash bumps you get from shaving. Usually clears up in 2 days.

 

[Rella Bella]

No fun!

If it looks similar to a bad diaper rash it could be a yeast infection.

They are very uncomfortable. Ds got it in his diaper area when he was a baby. And I've had it several times, in places that don't receive enough air.... for one reason or another.

When my OB told me the redness under my bra line was a yeast infection, I was surprised. She just said to keep it dry, but I was so uncomfortable I decided to try the diaper rash cure below and saw it go away over night! The cause can sometimes be as simple as a round of antibiotics, knocking out your good bacteria along with the bad, or eating a high sugar diet, either can result in too much yeast.

This procedure which I learned from my pediatrician will bring quick relief. A complete cure can take a few days if it's a bad case, just repeat the steps several times a day until the rash is gone.

First wash the area with gentle soap. Then soak in water with baking soda added, (I don't think there's an exact recipe for this, I have added about 1/2 cup to my baby's bath water, or put a few TBS in a sink of water to pat on with a cloth). This will cut the acidity. Then gently and pat dry, and follow with your blow dryer on a cool setting to thoroughly dry the area. Once it is very dry use a SMALL amount of Lotrimin Cream (in the athletes foot section of the drug store) and apply it sparingly, (for some areas you can use Lotrimin powder) - you do not want the rash moist, not even with the cream, as it will prevent healing.

If yeast is the problem you will find this will work very quickly, if not I doubt it could hurt anything.

Good luck.

 

[Serena]

I would stop putting the different lotions on it. Use a very basic lotion, like baby oil or cetaphil. The ingredients in the moisturizers could be making things worse.
Luke warm showers, pat dry, soft clothes, benadryl and make sure not to eat anything unusual right now.
If you're miserable I'd go see someone tonight.

I hope you're feeling better soon.

 

[ducklite]

OP--Please have a doctor take a look at it. It could be scabies based on where it started and how it has spread. It could also be an allergic reaction, and that could end up being very serious.

Good luck!

Anne

 

[Syrreal]

DMICKEY! Thank god I wasn't the only one! I got a rash starting a couple of days after having DS and it started on my stretchmarks too and then spread to my legs and feet and then my hands etc. I also went to the OB since I had read that you can still technically get PUPPS after giving birth. They couldn't find the cause of it but gave me a prescription for some allergy medicine. The only thing you have to be careful is that benadryl (and any antihistamine/allergy med) can decrease milk supply. It didn't do anything to me, though.

I ended up using the medicine (which did make me drowsy, helping oh so much in the dazed brand new mom days) and putting on cortizone creme everywhere I itched.

The rash was so bad (an I am rash prone!) that I literally wanted to scratch all my skin off!

Hope you feel better!!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I agree it could be a fungal/yeast infection probably related to your hormone fluctuations post pregnancy. Because it's over a large area of your body and spreading, you should be seen by a doctor ASAP who may prescribe you an oral fluconazole to help get it under control. I had this happen to me during chemo and that's what they did for me. Feel better soon!

http://www.auburn.edu/~schaiac/yeast-infection.html

 

[Stephres]

I feel for you: I am allergic to the sun and get a rash if I get too much. I generally do what has been suggested: cortisone cream and benadryl. I wouldn't put lotions on it. Hopefully the doctor can give you something to clear it up fast!

 

[DMickey28]

The OB wouldn't see me for it and referred me to the derm. Then the Derm office was closed at the end of last week. I am going to call first thing in the morning and if they don't take me I will go to an Urgent Care or something.

I feel like when it's dry it's worse. The top layer is all wrinkled and tight at the same time, like the top of a sunburn.

I think I will try the lomitrin (of course I have it!!) and I have put in on the rash on my arm and backs of my hands and it does help. The area that is the worse (most aggravating) is the backs of my legs and knees. That's what I scratch all night. The OB did tell me to take Benedryal and I have been doing that, hasn't effected my milk as far as I can tell. I have been adding additional pumping though to help.

I do *think* it could be a yeast infection partially b/c at the same time this flared up my breasts starting hurting after a few weeks of sucessful breastfeeding ... DS doesn't show any signs in his mouth of yeast though.

Driving me nuts ... everytime I try to lay down tonight either DS cries (he's cranky, didn't have good naps today) or I scratch my legs silly ...

 

[DMickey28]

DMICKEY! Thank god I wasn't the only one! I got a rash starting a couple of days after having DS and it started on my stretchmarks too and then spread to my legs and feet and then my hands etc. I also went to the OB since I had read that you can still technically get PUPPS after giving birth. They couldn't find the cause of it but gave me a prescription for some allergy medicine. The only thing you have to be careful is that benadryl (and any antihistamine/allergy med) can decrease milk supply. It didn't do anything to me, though.

I ended up using the medicine (which did make me drowsy, helping oh so much in the dazed brand new mom days) and putting on cortizone creme everywhere I itched.

The rash was so bad (an I am rash prone!) that I literally wanted to scratch all my skin off!

Hope you feel better!!!!

I thought it was PUPPS as well. I had it on my stomach stretch marks just the week before he was born and it went away ... now of course it's spreading to my stomach as well!

 

[PaulaSue]

Wow, hope you are feeling better soon!