IF youve done the obvious allergy tests etc, is it a Reaction to sun/UV levels?? Common problem often overlooked by docs chucking a cream at you.

One other possibility is Scabies. I know it's not a nice one to think about but very easy to catch. I only mention because yo said "very itchy" which is often classic with a scabies rash.

However, I agree with a previous response with the most common skin rashes being change of washing powder.

Good luck in finding your Source.

Funny you should say that. He was given yet another lotion as thats what the doctors thought. Still didnt make a difference. He has now been on the lamb, rice and pears diet for 3 days and still swelling and itching, althought the rash does seem to have gone down a bit he said this morning. Gunna call docs again and demand this allergy test. This is getting ridiculous.

Angela

Hi Angela,

Sorry to hear that your hubby isn't any better. I hope he isn't any worse!

There are a few basic 'rules' doctors follow, in trying to determine the possible cause(s) of a 'rash'.

Apart from the usual shape/size/appearance (or what the doctorspeak calls 'morphology'), there's also the distribution of a particular rash to consider.

For instance, is it symmetrical or asymmetrical? Symmetrical rashes would suggest an 'internal' causative source - e.g. atopic eczema, lichen planus, hives/urticaria, psoriasis, PPE (persistent pruritic eruption), exfoliative dermatitis etc. Asymmetrical ones tend to suggest an 'external' cause - e.g. infection, allergic contact dermatitis, arthropod/insect bites e.t.c. Of course, considerable overlaps occur, and to complicate matters more, progression from asymmetry to symmetry (indeed, whole body involvement) can occur.

Another would be the particular pattern (if applicable) of the rash: is is linear (perhaps more suggestive of phytophotodermatitis - any exposure to plants?), is it in a cluster, is the rash vesicular? e.t.c.

What about any particular areas of sparing? Are the folds of the skin spared (such as they frequently can be, in a strep rash, or a photo dermatitis). Or any particular areas of exaggeration? E.g. on the "T-zone" of the face, in the case of seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Are there any systemic symptoms accompanying the rash? I.e., is there a fever? Has there been weight loss? Change in bowel habits? (Dermatitis herpetiformis in association with coeliac disease is one such example).

What about involvement of mucosal skin? Are the inner aspects of the oral cavity involved - are there ulcers? Are the conjunctival surfaces involved?

And just as important, what of the rest of the family? An infective cause (such as scabies) might involve more than just one member of the family, and including them in the history & examination can be particularly revealing.

I would suggest that you speak to your doctor with these points in mind, to drive home that you've done your research and are truly at wits' end. My offer still stands - if you could provide me with clear photographs of your hubbys' skin rash (taken in natural light, please), just PM me and I'll provide you an email to which you can mail them, and I'll offer you my humble 2 cents' worth.

With kind regards,
xizzles

[QUOTE=xizzles;7875218]Hi Angela,

Sorry to hear that your hubby isn't any better. I hope he isn't any worse!

There are a few basic 'rules' doctors follow, in trying to determine the possible cause(s) of a 'rash'.

Apart from the usual shape/size/appearance (or what the doctorspeak calls 'morphology'), there's also the distribution of a particular rash to consider.

For instance, is it symmetrical or asymmetrical? Symmetrical rashes would suggest an 'internal' causative source - e.g. atopic eczema, lichen planus, hives/urticaria, psoriasis, PPE (persistent pruritic eruption), exfoliative dermatitis etc. Asymmetrical ones tend to suggest an 'external' cause - e.g. infection, allergic contact dermatitis, arthropod/insect bites e.t.c. Of course, considerable overlaps occur, and to complicate matters more, progression from asymmetry to symmetry (indeed, whole body involvement) can occur.

Another would be the particular pattern (if applicable) of the rash: is is linear (perhaps more suggestive of phytophotodermatitis - any exposure to plants?), is it in a cluster, is the rash vesicular? e.t.c.

What about any particular areas of sparing? Are the folds of the skin spared (such as they frequently can be, in a strep rash, or a photo dermatitis). Or any particular areas of exaggeration? E.g. on the "T-zone" of the face, in the case of seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Are there any systemic symptoms accompanying the rash? I.e., is there a fever? Has there been weight loss? Change in bowel habits? (Dermatitis herpetiformis in association with coeliac disease is one such example).

What about involvement of mucosal skin? Are the inner aspects of the oral cavity involved - are there ulcers? Are the conjunctival surfaces involved?

And just as important, what of the rest of the family? An infective cause (such as scabies) might involve more than just one member of the family, and including them in the history & examination can be particularly revealing.

I would suggest that you speak to your doctor with these points in mind, to drive home that you've done your research and are truly at wits' end. My offer still stands - if you could provide me with clear photographs of your hubbys' skin rash (taken in natural light, please), just PM me and I'll provide you an email to which you can mail them, and I'll offer you my humble 2 cents' worth.

Wow,
anyone else impressed? Thank you. Rash is receding slowly this week. No one else in family has any symptoms either. We are beginning to wonder if his condition is work related as he seems to be fine at weekends when he is away from work, so looking into anything which has changed there too. Will keep you informed as to what the doc perscribes tomorrow. Hub is going to ask for the allergy test your suggested. Thanks again
Angela x

Just trying to help, that's all .

I would indeed appreciate an update on your other half's condition, after the doctors have had a go at him - would help 'close the case', so to speak. Your observation about how the rashes would seem to improve on weekends is an especially important point - one which you MUST impress upon your doctor, as if this is an industrial exposure, compensation may also be involved - not to mention strict avoidance becomes mandatory, lest poor hubby should suffer a recurrence.

Hope everything works out well for your hubby

Cheers!