Newbie needs advice w/pictures

[jms22]

Hello everybody:

I'll try to make this short.

My condition started in december 2006. I really don't know what's causing it, but I remember I went to the hospital for a really bad rash I had. It was itching like hell, and the doctor suspected I had Scabies. He prescribed me Permethrin cream. After that I was feeling a lot better, but weeks later I remember I ate something (some chicken tv dinner I think) and then I started having this crazy rashes. I'm hispanic so my complextion is much darker than most here but you can still see the redness and all. What I do know is that I share a lot of the symptoms I read in other posts. Which are:

Redness/Swelling in the face
Burning sensation
Stiffness in affected facial tissue
Red hives/bumps on face neck, chest, back, arms, hands, etc.
Itching

The worst part is that I haven't been able to go to a specialist since my financial situation is really bad and I don't have health insurance yet. What really bothers me the most is that since december I've had 5 episodes of swelling/flaring/redness ranging from medium to really bad. And im never 100% ok. I went two times to the hospital and they prescribed Prednisone and Hydroxyzine and that seems to help. Hopefully I will be able to se a especialist soon when I save some money.

I would appreciate any comments.

Thanks, Jose


[img][/img]

[flatside]

i am not sure but sounds like a bad allergy to something. the spots on your face look similar to what ive got. but i dont have anything on my neck or chest.
what is your diet like? i think we may be allergic to something in food but dont know what it is yet.

[GJ]

Those red spots about your chest and neck look very similar to the sorts of spots associated with pityriasis rosea.

I had that a year or so back and the treatment - rubbing diluted Nizoral onto the spots - was inexpensive and quickly effective. It might just be worth buying some OTC Nizoral and trying it on your chest and neck.(In the first instance I would certainly not apply it to your face).

If it fails you can always use it as a shampoo.

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100004881.html

Good luck

[GJ]

I should have added that pityriasis rosea does not normally affect the face - but it is still something I feel that might be worth exploring.

[jms22]

Guys, thanks for your comments.

My diet wasnt too bad, but now Im not eating any junk food at all. Im only eating chicken and turkey (not fried) and lots of salads and vegetables. Im also drinking more water. No sodas or sweets either.

I was thinking of getting some soy meat stuff, but some of this products have gluten, so I don't know if thats bad at this point.

Is it true there are some fruits and vegetables that are not good for this type of conditions? Or it depends on the person?

Is there some natural or healthy subtitutes for sugar, butter, cheese, etc?

[PA Dancer]

Hi Jose,

It looks like hives to me.
I might consider going to an allergist along with a dermatologist.
I know what it is like to be without health insurance too!
Call your local state/city/county office and apply for any medical assistance that you can.

Talk to you doc too, see if anyone if the office knows of any government funded health insurance.

In the mean time start keeping a journal of everything you eat and what you use associated with your skin, and when your reactions start.

Be gentle with yourself.
Free and Clear laundry soaps, NO dryer sheets, no colognes. Use sensitive skin products.
Good luck!
Ann

Hello everybody:

I'll try to make this short.

My condition started in december 2006. I really don't know what's causing it, but I remember I went to the hospital for a really bad rash I had. It was itching like hell, and the doctor suspected I had Scabies. He prescribed me Permethrin cream. After that I was feeling a lot better, but weeks later I remember I ate something (some chicken tv dinner I think) and then I started having this crazy rashes. I'm hispanic so my complextion is much darker than most here but you can still see the redness and all. What I do know is that I share a lot of the symptoms I read in other posts. Which are:

Redness/Swelling in the face
Burning sensation
Stiffness in affected facial tissue
Red hives/bumps on face neck, chest, back, arms, hands, etc.
Itching

The worst part is that I haven't been able to go to a specialist since my financial situation is really bad and I don't have health insurance yet. What really bothers me the most is that since december I've had 5 episodes of swelling/flaring/redness ranging from medium to really bad. And im never 100% ok. I went two times to the hospital and they prescribed Prednisone and Hydroxyzine and that seems to help. Hopefully I will be able to se a especialist soon when I save some money.

I would appreciate any comments.

Thanks, Jose


[img][/img]

Dear jms,
I could not help notice that in the picture your skin looked quite oily, was that something that you were using on your skin or is that your natural the way it is kind of skin.
Its just my opinion but I think don't you have any thing wrong with your skin.I think that suddenly maybe your body has changed inside and its something that you have been eating that your body was quite used to can no longer be tolerated.Obviously whatever that food is that you have eaten has managed to get into your body but cannot exit through the skin by normal sweating,which is the only exit waste point for the original food eaten. In simplistic terms it has been taken in but cannot make its way out because instead of being a normal secreation its now a toxic irritant.
It,s just a matter of approaching it on an analytical technical basis, I belive divide and conquer is the way forward.Personally I think its possible to cure yourself and would not even dream of throwing money down the drain.
The first thing i would look at is fats and oils, if you are consuming more than one teaspoon of either per day then! Eliminate all acid drinks and diuretic drinks.Try not to find yourself in a social situation where its come on have a burger or a beer it can be a solitary life but the alternative is spots. Always carry a eisily lunch of convienience foods and water so when you feel hungry!.Things like fruit or dry muesli in a lid in a container with a spoon in whatever, but dont get caught out heading for a burger.
I think its only yourself that can beat this problem

[drummond]

Hello everybody:

I'll try to make this short.

My condition started in december 2006. I really don't know what's causing it, but I remember I went to the hospital for a really bad rash I had. It was itching like hell, and the doctor suspected I had Scabies. He prescribed me Permethrin cream. After that I was feeling a lot better, but weeks later I remember I ate something (some chicken tv dinner I think) and then I started having this crazy rashes. I'm hispanic so my complextion is much darker than most here but you can still see the redness and all. What I do know is that I share a lot of the symptoms I read in other posts. Which are:

Redness/Swelling in the face
Burning sensation
Stiffness in affected facial tissue
Red hives/bumps on face neck, chest, back, arms, hands, etc.
Itching

The worst part is that I haven't been able to go to a specialist since my financial situation is really bad and I don't have health insurance yet. What really bothers me the most is that since december I've had 5 episodes of swelling/flaring/redness ranging from medium to really bad. And im never 100% ok. I went two times to the hospital and they prescribed Prednisone and Hydroxyzine and that seems to help. Hopefully I will be able to se a especialist soon when I save some money.

I would appreciate any comments.

Thanks, Jose


[img][/img]

Dear jms,
I