Wednesday, September 19, 2007

The Mad Itch!

What is Pityriasis rosea?  A rash.

The rash often begins with a single, round-to-oval, pink patch that is scaly with a raised border (herald patch). Its size ranges from 2 cm to 10 cm. The larger size is more common.  Days to weeks later, salmon-colored, 1 cm to 2 cm oval patches appear in batches on the abdomen, chest, back, arms, and legs. Patches sometimes spread to the neck but rarely to the face.

How is it treated?

Pityriasis rosea will usually go away in 6 to 8 weeks without treatment. If the rash itches, you may wish to use skin lotions and lubricants to soothe itching. If symptoms are severe, anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids may be used to relieve itching and reduce the rash. Some people may try other medications, such as antifungals, because the rash looks like ringworm. However, because pityriasis rosea is viral and not caused by a fungus, these medications are not effective.

Quite simply put THE MAD ITCH

At first I thought it was Poison Ivy since I went with Miss T on a school Nature Walk at Poplar Grove on a Saturday morning - September 1st to be exact.

The next day, I noticed little bumps, slightly red in color on both arms and in the crook of my elbows and a terrible urge to scratch.  I began to treat this as if I had Poison Oak, Ivy or such. 

Just as the arms began to heal, last Thursday (Sept 13th) I noticed it on my chest.  It was moving up my neck as if to crawl behind my ear and over to my shoulders.

Looks better today......I figured the bra straps were "carrying" it over to the shoulders.

I put toothpaste on it!  Yep toothpaste.  That Aquafresh Extreme White with the peroxide in it....boy did that feel good...it tingled AND smelled minty fresh!  It seemed to dry it up.

But by Tuesday (yesterday) I had had enough.  18 days of the Mad Itch was more than I needed.  So my friendly Doc looked at it, asked me questions and said "Pitysomethingorother Roses"........HUH?

Luckily she wrote it down for me and gave me a script for Prednisone.

Lovely!  Just lovely.

The worst part of the doctor visit?

Weighing in!

I am swearing off FOOD forever!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

that looks painful

Anonymous said...

Did you Doc say how you might have gotten it in the first place?!  Looks UNcomfortable!  
Traci

Anonymous said...

My mom had a strange itchy rash a couple of weeks ago that wasn't poison.  She finally gave in and went to the dr also.  Same thing. Prednisone.  Hope you start to feel better soon.
Missie

Anonymous said...

Screw that dx - I am almost 100% sure it's STRESS!!!

Anonymous said...

I get rosacea on my face from time to time.  It hasn't been bad lately but can get pretty yucky.  I think it's pretty much the same as what you got but not as severe.  Oh joy, hunh.  Good thing.  It goes away.  It could come back occasionally but does go away for periods of time.  HUGS Chris

Anonymous said...

That looks like it you said, like it itches.  You sure it isn't the seven year itch?  Just kidding.  Hope it goes away soon.  Take care.

Phil

Anonymous said...

I'm sure that is just driving you nuts, scratching all the time.  Hopefully it will go away in the near future, like now!  LOL  Have a good Thursday.

Allison

Anonymous said...

Glad you wen to the doctor
Feel better! Stay out of the woods for a  while.
hugs,
Ellen

Anonymous said...

i hope the med works quick.
Cindy

Anonymous said...

When we hike I try to not touch any plants on the side of the trail, but sometimes just can't be helped!!  How'd you get it?  Just a virus??  Good thing you finally went to the doc!!  Take care...
xoxo ~Myra

Anonymous said...

I am scared of my scale to weigh in also....