I have had this skin problem that started on October 27, 2013. I kept trying to figure out what I could have done or gotten into that would have cause the problem, that mostly manifested itself on the backs of my hands, but spread to my forearms, initially. I thought it might be related to yard work, or the pumpkin I purchased that day, for Halloween.
When I was in high school, I had a reaction to something that manifested itself like this, only over much more of my body, including my face. The skin around my eyes was swollen, and I had pustules oozing over my body. I was prescribed pills (maybe cortisone) and cream, and it took about 2 weeks for things to dry up, and a maybe two more weeks for the dried up skin to return to normal.
Well, whatever I had waxed and waned. I tried to manage it with cortisone cream and calamine lotion. It got worse the night I carved the pumpkin, but was localized on my hands and forearms. For about 10 days. Then, it spread to my neck and chest, in a V-shape under my neck.
I called the doctor, got in and got a diagnosis (that I did not agree with) but got creams and ointments and treatment that I did agree with. I did the treatment. I was not really pleased with the results of the treatment. It included topical ointments and washings. The stuff on my hands was contained. I had stuff on my nose and lips. The creams and ointments helped some, and I also used dandruff shampoo on my nose and lips and that helped a lot.
My coworkers, especially the physicians' assistants, were very helpful, concerned and supportive. Then, I took a week off, and took a trip out of town. I kept up with the ointments, creams and dandruff shampoo. I did ointment and lip balm on my face and lips. I did a second treatment after I returned home (within the specified time frame.)
And, things seemed to be drying up. And, when things started drying up, things changed from burning to itching. Burning is manageable, but itching is almost intolerable. Or at least very uncomfortable.
Today at work, the physician's assistants checked me out. They were pleased that things were doing better, but one was concerned that the drying up of the inflammation looked red and angry still, and wondered if I needed to see a dermatologist. If the inflammation does not resolve, I will go back to the doctor, and ask if I need something else. But I believe it will resolve. Because it is taking the course that the inflammation I suffered as a teenager took.
Well, during the day, a couple other coworkers weighed in on my skin problem: Both thought that I needed a skin cream that their doctor prescribed, without knowing what my skin problem was. I appreciate their concern. But I have to ask myself, where did they get their medical degree? A coworker who says, get a specialist opinion makes sense. A coworker who says this is what I did no matter what your problem is, is dangerous.
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