How is your skin?

[monkeybus]

I recall folks posting about skin issues and AMN a few years back, or did they? Never mind try this for size.

Been going on for months and months now, When I'd get my head down on the pillow at night, within minutes it was like my head was crawling, the itching would soon start, heating up.

Couldn't be for a lack of showering, nor any lack of clean bedding. Couldn't be bedbugs, if it was my young wife and boy would be in the same boat. Since it was where my head touched the pillow, I did think it could be as a result of all those years sweating away into it.

I'd hang my pillow out on the washing line, soaking up all that toxic, UV-rich sunshine. Makes it smell fresh-as-a-daisy. It took the edge off the itching slightly, but not much. I still suspected the pillow, I'd put a thick T-shirt over the pillow case and it really eased the itching, crawling, burning sensation.

Then I started to get flaky skin inside my ears, on my ear-lobes, then the forehead, then the face.

Then I'd be in the shower and I noticed like red bumps on my arms and legs. About 5mm in diameter. I gave them a decent scrub, they'd get bigger though. Circular, about 2cm diameter. Bright red. Some contained puss. Died down, sort of. Got smaller, less red. Saved me the bother of finding a dermatologist, I hate going to hospitals, spent so much time in them.

Then it flared up properly. I'd wake up and my ears were in agony. My head, arms, legs and back would be absolutely crawling. Couldn't resist a decent scratch. Got so I'd draw blood.

I was showering twice a day, considering three. It'd bring some relief a a couple of hours, then the itching would kick in again.

Dermatologist looked at me for all of ten seconds. Nummular Eczema, common. I asked him why. That he couldn't answer. He said it was usually dry skin.

Steroid cream, twice a day. By now after a decent look into a full length mirror, and a round of photography by my long-suffering wife, I clocked it was infesting 60+% of Monkeybus. I don't believe I have ever put cream on my body. Not even sun tan cream. Not a pleasant feeling, being all itchy, with that sticky steroid cream all over. Had to wear the closest I could fashion into full length pyjamas to bed to stop the cream going all over the sheets.

It worked (to a certain extent). Itching has been knocked down 90%, my head and ears look OK, the rest is fading, albeit slowly. Check the pic. That is me naked, folks. If you'd like anything more explicit send me a message and we can discuss prices.

I'll point out, this is me after two weeks of daily steroid cream.

I did read how Nummular Eczema was common with people with circulation disorders, but I've lost the link now, so just take my word for it.

[TravisWharam]

I recently posted about skin issues. Blisters on my buttocks though. No medical reason for it though. I went through every specialist and none could find any reason. I have severe pain from it and haven’t had a blister for over a year.

[3WheelWonder]

monkeybus I can’t unsee that!😬😬

[monkeybus in reply to 3WheelWonder]

You are body-shaming me.

Frankly, if you aren't prepared to upload a copy of your naked body, you ain't welcome posting on my thread.

[3WheelWonder in reply to monkeybus]

Understood.

[deengo]

I've had numerous skin cancers removed but really nothing that i think involves AMN. I've also numerous tattoos again probably not AMN related.Would you describe sounds very annoying

[Catrick]

I suppose the dermatologist ruled out allergies? I wondered if anti-histamines helped? It could be an allergy to whatever washing powder or soap that's used with the sheets for e.g. Otherwise I'm glad steroids are helpful.

I have seborrheic dermatitis which causes agonising itching of scalp, a folliculitis and cysts develop in a very hot climate despite immaculate bathing. I find Brit. dermatologists are not in tune with this, a Chinese dermatologist on the other side of the planet was the most helpful many years ago.

I'm sorry about this, itching is miserable to live with.

[monkeybus in reply to Catrick]

He gave me some anti-histamines, did nothing for me. Your seborrheic dermatitis sounds not unlike mine. I am always traveling around Asia, I know all about the hot humidity too well. In Japan right now and spring has just started. When this hit, it was still basically chilly.

I asked him plenty, I was actually worried about Stephens-Johnson Syndrome (it being a possible side-effect of some of the meds I take). He said I'd already be in hospital if it was. Nor is it Syphilis, or Necrotizing fasciitis (which a friend of mine in London actually had). Pretty terrifying if you start Googling skin diseases.

I asked about allergic reactions to washing powder, and that, but it is the shape of the lesions that give it away. It is Nummular Eczema.

On that, he said it was essentially dry skin. Every site I visit says I got to forget the long, hot shower, and don't use a washcloth, and no decent toweling after a shower. This goes against everything I've ever done, I used to love abusing my skin, giving it a decent rub. Got to moisturise regularly as well.

I been doing that, and it's making a decent difference. I was slathering on plenty of steroid, and it really doesn't do your skin any favours. I don't want to make that a long-term thing

[Catrick in reply to monkeybus]

Having a maddeningly itchy skin condition is horrible and very wearing. I had to give up living in the Far East and settle in Europe, the tropics made me sweat too much and the seborrheic dermatitis was intolerable.

It sounds as if you've got the nummular eczema under control. I inherited the seb.derm. from my father, along with the AMN, so it's another genetic nasty. I was put on antibiotics for a long time once for a bone infection and the seb. derm. cleared up which was wonderful. But it took 6-7 months to have an effect and after 12 months on Clindamycin I stopped. One can't live on powerful antibiotics for life.

I'd use steroids during an acute episode for your eczema but it sounds as if you've got some control over it anyway.

[nikolahn]

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