I have had a rash develope over 3 weeks ago. I work for a place that requires some employees to be "on call" for 12 hour shifts after working a 12 hour shift and if they live out of town, there is a bedroom provided for them to stay in. One day last month, someone brought in a used mattress for one of the beds. Several people broke out and the doctor treated us all for scabies, even though he thought it was bedbugs and it did not look like a scabies rash. After the scabies treatment did not work, he said it had to be bedbugs. The director had the house sprayed 2 times after that.
In the meantime, I developed the rash and it has been 3 full weeks and i am miserable. I went to the dr and had a reaction to the scabies cream making the rash much worse, almost like a chemical burn. I was then but on Bactroban, another ointment, that did not help. Went back to the doc the next week and they gave me a steroid shot and put me on steroid ointment. The pharmacist misfilled the ointment and only gave me ONE ounce instead of one tube to use 3x's a day for 7 days. The dr. called me in another prescription for the same thing and this time instead of it being a clear ointment, it was a white cream steroid, so that is another issue, as to why the creams were different.
Anyway I still have the rash and it is over my entire body and I was wondering if anyone has any solutions for this type of allergic reaction? I have an apt. with a dermatologist but can't get in until FEBRUARY!. Everyone else that had the rash in the beginning has had it cleared up except one person and she too had a reaction to the medicine and is still fighting it. It is splotchy and VERY itchy and is over the entire body, except my face, but my face burns and is itchy like dry skin but does not have the spots and blotches. I am dying for some relief from the itching! Sorry this is so long, but needed the background so everyone knows it is NOT contagious. but is an allergic reaction. Thanks to anyone that has any ideas for clearing this up or some itch relief! I know to try small areas at a time cause I sure don't want to make it worse!!
Thanks everyone! I have been taking benadryl at night and clariton during the day. The drs used the premethrin scabies cream because they could not rule it out until after use but it also treats other skin conditions and it is not used daily. You use one application and then apply again in one week if needed. The steroids did not work, I did use them also. As far as the mattress I was never even near it but they thing that's where the bedbugs originated. It is not contagious though because NO ONE inky household or primary workplace has it. Just those 4 that were in the house where the mattress was placed and I have not been back in there. I'll see if there are any allergist in our area but think the closest ones will be 200 miles away. Thanks again!
I agree about trying to get an appt with an allergist, especially if you suspect the rash is from an allergic reation. Also, I have been taking a supplement since March that has dramatically helped me with my allergies and other chronic health issues. It may be exactly what you need to get relief as well. Let me know if you want more information about it. Good luck! Hope you are feeling a lot better soon!
I am the queen of allergy hives=) The best treatment I found was the oral steroids that start out 7 pills through the firstday, 6 on the second and so on INCLUDING steroid cream. Sounds hefty but trust me it works for me every time. Get a new mattress-yuck!
I am so confused. Why did the doctor give you scabies medication if you didn't have scabies?
If you both stopped the treatment due to reaction to the medication, I would have to assume you still have scabies and it will continue to spread until you treat it.
As far as some relief, have you tried oatmeal baths or aveno oatmeal lotion? Oatmeal is a natural skin soother.
Good luck!
I agree with the allergist. Also, call around for another dermatologist, you should not have to wait till February for something like this.
Benadryl pills and ointment.Perhaps you broke out from whatever they sprayed?
I had a rash from an allergic reaction and my doctor prescribed Prednizone. It was a 3 week prescription that starts with a higher dose and steps down to lower doses until finished. Like you, I tried everything for weeks, before I went to a doctor. Prednizone supresses your immune system so it stops the body's allergic reaction (the rash). But there is a possible side effect for a few months after taking Prednizone. It does makes it harder to fight off colds and such for a while after taking it, since it suppresses your immune system. It was the only thing that worked to clear up my rash.
I'd go out right now and get some Benedryl (providing that you are not working and can take a nap if necessary). I might help a lot.
You might also call the derm's office and mention what is happening and that you NEED and emergency appt. Or, ask your dr. for a referral to a dem and have him call.
And you might want to try an allergist too.
Feel better!!
I would see an allergist instead of a dermatologist for any kind of allergic reaction. They may get you in quicker as well if you tell them the severity of the problem.
I hope that your employer is paying for all of your costs. This appears to be a worker's compensation claim.
