What on earth happened to my arm? (PIC)
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free skin care · Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:04 pm

I used to have ring worm on my arm but I went to the derm and he said there was no more fungus. But I overtreated my arm with white iodine, so the skin was in bad shape, so dry and had little bumps where the ringworm scars were. He gave me some really strong steroid and my skin was getting better.

But just a few days ago, I got 3 more spots, and they were itchy. I put on some steroid again but then got paranoid that I got the ring worm again, so I put on the white iodine on these spots again, and now my arm looks like this:

Does anyone know what could be causing these spots? Ringworm again?

free skin care · Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:12 pm

doesn't look like a ring to me.

free skin care · Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:15 pm

You know, that largest red spot almost looks like a spider bite. Is that a blister in the center?

free skin care · Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:15 pm

zumlya wrote:

Is this just a joke? I hope so, but I actually am not in the mood for laugh right now when I scratch like crazy even in my sleep. These bumps are itchy and they swell up. I know I was not obsessed about my arm. I stopped using the steroid when things got better. These came out of nowhere.

ETA: Ok, I think it was a joke since you edited to remove it. Very Happy

free skin care · Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:21 pm

kim@ifeelpretty wrote:

You know, that largest red spot almost looks like a spider bite. Is that a blister in the center?

Hi Kim,
It started out as an itchy small spot, no redness, and I was scratching it until I scabbed. Then I was applying the white iodine to clean it just in case it was ringworm. So the scab came off. The redness came after that and seemed to spread. It hasn't got bigger.

I'm trying to remember my previous spider bites. I can't recall what they look like. It's possible. I'll try to google on spider bites and see if I can see any similar pictures.

I'd call my derm back but I'm with Kaiser. I'm sure if I'm lucky, I'll get to see him in 3 weeks. Very Happy

Thanks,
C

free skin care · Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:22 pm

bkkgirl wrote:

zumlya wrote:

Is this just a joke? I hope so, but I actually am not in the mood for laugh right now when I scratch like crazy even in my sleep. These bumps are itchy and they swell up. I know I was not obsessed about my arm. I stopped using the steroid when things got better. These came out of nowhere.

so, sorry... I didn't know that would offend you. I saw this story on NBC maybe bed bugs. Maybe you should check for that.

free skin care · Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:47 pm

Are they spreading? Try not to scratch, you will regret it!! I feel so sorry for you.. I know how painful it is.. I had bad eczema and they looked kinda like those but in bigger patches. I used burt's bees diaper rash ointment, aloe vera gel.. what really worked was this chinese herbal ointment and lotion I got from www.springwind.com.. But the ointment is really STINKY!!! I would try to get burt's bees Res-Q ointment or something.. Hope your skin will be better soon! Pray

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:20 am

zumlya wrote:

bkkgirl wrote:

zumlya wrote:

Is this just a joke? I hope so, but I actually am not in the mood for laugh right now when I scratch like crazy even in my sleep. These bumps are itchy and they swell up. I know I was not obsessed about my arm. I stopped using the steroid when things got better. These came out of nowhere.

so, sorry... I didn't know that would offend you. I saw this story on NBC maybe bed bugs. Maybe you should check for that.

Zumlya, I am officially unoffended. No worries! Most people seeing this exchange will probably think I am nuts for getting offended by a smiley face since you deleted your comment as I was responding to you. LOL Anyway I think you were in a mischievous mood and I just happened to see your before-edit comment. Maybe just be a bit more careful b/c when people post a genuine concern, it feels really bad when it appears like they're being mocked, ya know? No one really wants to be mocked I assume. Very Happy

Ciao,
C

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:23 am

Lisey wrote:

Are they spreading? Try not to scratch, you will regret it!! I feel so sorry for you.. I know how painful it is.. I had bad eczema and they looked kinda like those but in bigger patches. I used burt's bees diaper rash ointment, aloe vera gel.. what really worked was this chinese herbal ointment and lotion I got from www.springwind.com.. But the ointment is really STINKY!!! I would try to get burt's bees Res-Q ointment or something.. Hope your skin will be better soon! Pray

Lisey, I don't think they're spreading. I just hope whatever it is it's not a Brown Recluse Spider Bite. Oh my GOD, I was googling pics of spider bites and saw those bites from the nasty brown recluse spiders, and they were so gross I almost threw up. These don't look like ringworm to me right now. I'm going to try to see a derm. I'm going to try to push for an earlier appt. But with Kaiser, I just don't know.

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:42 am

Call your doctor. Insist. Hopefully, it's nothing. But don't if you want to be seen by an MD, which is your right, keep at it. Call every day. They will squeeze you in. Be a pest. Don't be nice. Get what you need. It's your health. You are paying them.

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:47 am

may be totally off here, but you haven't been using any herbal remedies have you? Guapaboy took st john's wort for a couple of weeks and came up with huge big blisters all over his body and they started like that. Turns out some people taking SJW become photosensitive Confused

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:13 am

A miracle just happened! I called Kaiser, and they actually gave me same day appt w/ the derm at 4 pm today. I couldn't believe my luck.

Thanks, Jakee, for your post which prompted me to call and get ready to do battle.

Guapagirl, I take a lot of supplements but nothing new. I don't take SJW (is that just for guys?). On an off topic, too, I thought it's so cute how you call your S.O. guapaboy....very original. Very Happy

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 3:14 pm

SJW is often used for depression and anxiety. He was a bit stressed but no where near as stressed as what the SJW did.

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 3:24 pm

I say see a DR., can't believe you'd ask here first rather than a good derm (take no offense on that, I just find it extremely odd), maybe some benedryl if its hives...but hives would spread...benedryl is what they iv into one at ER for allergic reaction (trust me on that I know), so it def doesn't hurt to take it, incase its an allergic reaction.

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:24 pm

I just re-read what I wrote and I did not intend for it to sound harsh. My concern is I keep seeing medical issues pop up and with the best and greatest intentions everyone tries very hard to help. What scares me is that were not doctors, and we could lead you down the wrong road. Even a spider bite can get infected and create havoc, it can also be a brown recluse spider and without medical eyes seeing it, its unreal the damage that can be done, when a simple shot would solve it. So again, no offense was ment just scared of the questions, first the dogs hanging for who knows how many hours then this and it scares me you might ignore something that otherwise shouldn't be.

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:28 pm

I agree with MelissaMarie
I did not post an answer because I have no clue. It could get infected and looks like an open sore.
Go get it checked out immediately.

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:47 pm

Sorry if I offended anyone with my questions and genuine concerns. It just seemed faster to get opinions on here with so many helpful members, and some can be very knowledgeable, too. I have tried to be very helpful and supportive of other members' posts about their concerns myself, so I thought the same would be given back to me. However, if you don't feel charitable or just don't know the answer, please don't feel obligated in any way to post. Thank you. (If this sounds harsh to you, sorry as well. Not meant to be that way. Just trying to be practical. I do know that you guys and gals aren't doctors, but actually now that I think of it, I do remember there are some members who are med students. Also some of you might have had something like this happened to you. I know that eventually I will have to see a doctor but with the way Kaiser operates, I just didn't know when I would get to see one. Please trust me that I do have some common sense and won't be doing something too harmful to myself or my dog. Wink

I take advice with a grain of salt.)

For those who care, I went to see the derm today. He had no clue either on what it was. He ruled out ringworm for sure, and also not spider or insect bites. I told him I was so tired of collecting steroidal cream, and wanted to get to the bottom of all the itchiness I've been getting. So he took a biopsy (which caused me to faint for a little while, but no big deal), and hopefully I will hear back from him soon.

ETA: There are other threads that seem to require immediate medical attention that other members have posted. I don't see anyone getting annoyed by those threads, which is why I thought it was ok to post my own concerns here. Again I really appreciate all those who either have tried their best to give me their advice and have been genuinely supportive. Moral support sometimes is also very important.

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:50 pm

Don't let the remarks bother you! As long as you know you are doing the right thing it is all that matters. You agree that someone might have had a similar problem and might be able to offer a suggestion.

I hope you get to bottom of the painful itchie problem.

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:24 pm

Cherisse,

please, do not get offended. We are all very concerned.

Did the derm prescribe something to ease up the itch? Did he ask you if you had any other symptoms - fever, swollen glands, etc.? Did he think it could be an allergy or some kind of infection? There are some diseases that start with skin rashes (like chicken pox). Even though it does not look like it at all. Why did he take a biopsy, what is he trying to figure out?

Did he explain it all to you?

I am not a doctor, so unfortunately can not be of much help. What I do know that you have to be persistent and ask, not just rely on someone's judgement.

Please, keep us updated and let us know as soon as you get some news.

I just hope it will ease up and will soon be just a distant memory.

Good luck,
Lucy.

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:38 pm

Good thing it's not a spider bite! I hope you get better soon! Good luck!! Smile

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:52 pm

Its good you were seen. With the weekend so close, if you got sick from this you would have spent most of a day sitting in an ED.
Hopefully, it will start getting better!

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:58 pm

Thank you, WoM, Sigma, Lisey, and Chrissie, for your concerns. I do appreciate them very much.

My derm did prescribe another cream for the itchiness, but seriously I now have 4 different steroidal creams in my medicine cabinet that I don't know what to do with. I don't really need another steroid cream, so I didn't fill it. I asked the Pharmacy if I could wait to fill it until I hear back regarding the biopsy.

I'm glad, too, that I don't have to go to an Emergency Room. Once I got hives from something I ate, and went there and waited from 10 pm till 2 am. I left without being seen b/c I got fed up from waiting. I thought if I were to die, I'd at least want to die in my own bed. I guess I do have a bit of a bias against doctors and the HMO system. I was really amazed I got same-day appointment today, because last time I had to wait 3 weeks before I got an appointment with this same derm.

free skin care · Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:08 pm

bkkgirl wrote:

Thanks, Jakee, for your post which prompted me to call and get ready to do battle.

My pleasure. Glad you got seen. Go girl!

free skin care · Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:52 am

Yeah, you rock, Jakee! Very Happy

I have a phobia of calling to make a doctor's appointment. I guess I just needed a little push. hehe Anyway, I will report back on what the biopsy results are in case someone suffers from the same thing. I don't know if anyone else would be so unlucky.

Lisey, I think you might be on to something actually. The derm said it could be that my skin became hyper-sensitive after the bout of ringworm. Wouldn't that be some sort of eczema? Well, whatever it is I'll just wait to hear back from him. He actually didn't promise he'd figure out what was actually causing it even with the biopsy.

free skin care · Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:53 pm

bkkgirl wrote:

Lisey, I think you might be on to something actually. The derm said it could be that my skin became hyper-sensitive after the bout of ringworm. Wouldn't that be some sort of eczema? Well, whatever it is I'll just wait to hear back from him. He actually didn't promise he'd figure out what was actually causing it even with the biopsy.

I don't know if ringworm is curable or not, because eczema is not curable. You can control it but you can't cure it. I don't use any steroids when I have eczema. I've been having this since little. It's these red, itchy, dry patches, and they would spread everywhere if I don't do anything about it. Right now, I'm pretty eczema-free. I've been using natural products on my skin. Smile

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