What is this skin rash?

[Sallyann674]

Hi All,

I’ve had a rash that comes up around my eyes now again but it’s got a lot worse recently. In Oct last year I changed thyroid medication from Nature Throid to Armour and have never felt as good since. These rashes on my face are getting worse and worse. Anyone know what it is and how to get in under control / resolve it?

Thanks

Sallyann

[humanbean]

In my untrained not-a-doctor opinion it looks like eczema, or a possible histamine response i.e. something you are taking is causing a mild allergic reaction.

If it is an allergy or intolerance issue then finding what that substance is, and avoiding it, is obviously the best idea, but I know how difficult that is. It could be that the change in your thyroid hormones product has had an effect.

One thing you could try, as a cheap and simple experiment, is take an anti-histamine about an hour before you take your thyroid hormones. I'm talking about the over-the-counter pills sold for hay fever which are available without prescription. Try it for a week or two, and see if it helps. If it doesn't help then stop taking it.

And just a personal anecdote, so take this with a pinch of salt...

I developed eczema from the age of about 10. It fluctuated in severity throughout my life but never went away. I finally managed to almost completely get rid of it in my 50s by raising my vitamin B12 to high (over the range) levels with methylcobalamin, and my folate levels with methylfolate. (I keep my folate in range.) Note that the eczema briefly got worse before it got a lot better. If I drop my supplement doses now I get eczema again.

Another thing that might help, but would take a lot more effort to test out is a low histamine diet.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Could be hives (urticaria)

Are you on strictly gluten free diet

If not, get coeliac blood test done BEFORE considering trial on gluten free

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Might not be much help in this case, but I often post a link to a site which has hundreds of photos of skin disorders and written information.

It is often difficult to diagnose skin disorders solely by photo/internet, but it might help in identifying possibilities.

dermnetnz.org/