Can anyone assist me with any help in regards to my skin condition

Posted by michellesorbello13 @michellesorbello13, Apr 10 8:11am

I got psoriasis in September last year 2023 after strep throat a couple of weeks prior. It covered my whole body including my hair but not my face. My skin has only just now started to improve a bit after my steroid cream was changed to diprosone. I have many other symptoms including extreme fatigue, joint pain and sometimes swelling, body aches and muscle weakness in my arms mostly, and numbness in my hands that wakes me up every night and I wake up every morning with completely numb hands. About a month ago I developed a butterfly shaped rash on my face that made my skin red roar and extremely dry flakey skin. It felt like it was burning. My gp said that it was a side effect of using Enstillar foam spray for my psoriasis on my body so I was changed to diprosone. I feel I'm not being listened to and the doctors are missing something. I can feel something wrong within me. I also get kidney pain often. Can anyone help me with any possible answers ? Please. I am a 44 year old female. I have had psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in 2007. I also had the ulcer form of psoriasis in my mouth, and the fungal nail psoriasis in 2007. One skin flare up around 2018 and nothing again until September last year.

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@dancing1

I’m so very sorry I wish you could find other doctors. I’m terrible sorry I thought my autoimmune issues were bad the fatigue is awful and very hard for others to understand. The skin and dryness is awful. But you are young and I’m so sorry you’re struggling with all of this. I will keep you in my thoughts and hope you find a more supportive medical team at a major hospital that will help you!!! I’m so sorry. I have Sjogrens, Raynard’s, Small Fiber z neuropathy and Scleroderma, terrible fatigue and brain fog. I’m feeling depressed about it also but have a team of wonderful doctors at Mayo. I’m so sorry keep searching for a Doctor that understands. So sorry!

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Thankyou for your message and advice. Much appreciated.

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@michellesorbello13

Thankyou for your response. I finally just got an appointment with my local hospital and they took a skin biopsy of my leg as my lower legs have been insanely itchy and that came back as atopic dermatitis. But the rash on my legs is different to what it originally was and to the rest of my body. I have an appointment with the hospital rheumatologist in 2 weeks. I also get alot of fluid retention in my body. The dermatologist at the hospital I feel was really dismissive and said just keep using the diprosone and see you in 4 months! I also have depression and anxiety.

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I feel your pain…I’ve been there. I was diagnosed itch Rheumatoid arthritis when I was 49, after many years of doctors telling me I had nothing wrong with me.
You are correct in stating that you know when something is not right with your body.
I speak only from my own experience, with my own body , when I say, I too had similar conditions.
What I have discovered, is that an autoimmune condition can change and become more complicated with age. I am now 76 years old and suffer from many additional autoimmune conditions. In addition to RA, I have Lupus (diagnosed in 2019), Fibromyalgia (2020), Atopic dermatitis /Eczema (2023). Although, Evzema is not considered an autoimmune condition, it often accompanies one. I suffer from dry eyes, dry mouth (Sturgeons Disease), and beginning stages of Dupuytrans Contracture.
Unfortunately, the butterfly rash is a typical sign of Lupus.
In my opinion only, I firmly believe you need a good Rheumatologist who will listen to you and work with you to improve your quality of life. There are many issues involved and some of them become as frustrated as you are and develope an indifference to your concerns…learn as much as you can about autoimmune disease so you can inform your doctors on signs and symptoms…my eczema started with my legs covered in bumps and uncontrolled itching. I was told I had a fungus infection, put on three different medications that did little to nothing before a dermotologist quickly landed on Atopic Dermatitis/Eczama and still was told to buy over-the-counter creams which did not control the condition which by then started on my face, neck, under my breasts, my feet, etc…
Finally a physician’s assistant prescribed Clobetasol Propionate Cream USP, 0.05% (Emollient).
Good luck but stay informed and insist on better care.

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@michellesorbello13

Thankyou for your message and advice. Much appreciated.

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So will be hoping for you! ♥️

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@dmb75

I feel your pain…I’ve been there. I was diagnosed itch Rheumatoid arthritis when I was 49, after many years of doctors telling me I had nothing wrong with me.
You are correct in stating that you know when something is not right with your body.
I speak only from my own experience, with my own body , when I say, I too had similar conditions.
What I have discovered, is that an autoimmune condition can change and become more complicated with age. I am now 76 years old and suffer from many additional autoimmune conditions. In addition to RA, I have Lupus (diagnosed in 2019), Fibromyalgia (2020), Atopic dermatitis /Eczema (2023). Although, Evzema is not considered an autoimmune condition, it often accompanies one. I suffer from dry eyes, dry mouth (Sturgeons Disease), and beginning stages of Dupuytrans Contracture.
Unfortunately, the butterfly rash is a typical sign of Lupus.
In my opinion only, I firmly believe you need a good Rheumatologist who will listen to you and work with you to improve your quality of life. There are many issues involved and some of them become as frustrated as you are and develope an indifference to your concerns…learn as much as you can about autoimmune disease so you can inform your doctors on signs and symptoms…my eczema started with my legs covered in bumps and uncontrolled itching. I was told I had a fungus infection, put on three different medications that did little to nothing before a dermotologist quickly landed on Atopic Dermatitis/Eczama and still was told to buy over-the-counter creams which did not control the condition which by then started on my face, neck, under my breasts, my feet, etc…
Finally a physician’s assistant prescribed Clobetasol Propionate Cream USP, 0.05% (Emollient).
Good luck but stay informed and insist on better care.

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@dmb75 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I’m glad you found this site and you’re participating in the discussions already! And such helpful information, too. I hope you’ll continue to be involved in discussions.
Are there any questions or concerns , that you have, that the members can help you with?

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@dmb75

I feel your pain…I’ve been there. I was diagnosed itch Rheumatoid arthritis when I was 49, after many years of doctors telling me I had nothing wrong with me.
You are correct in stating that you know when something is not right with your body.
I speak only from my own experience, with my own body , when I say, I too had similar conditions.
What I have discovered, is that an autoimmune condition can change and become more complicated with age. I am now 76 years old and suffer from many additional autoimmune conditions. In addition to RA, I have Lupus (diagnosed in 2019), Fibromyalgia (2020), Atopic dermatitis /Eczema (2023). Although, Evzema is not considered an autoimmune condition, it often accompanies one. I suffer from dry eyes, dry mouth (Sturgeons Disease), and beginning stages of Dupuytrans Contracture.
Unfortunately, the butterfly rash is a typical sign of Lupus.
In my opinion only, I firmly believe you need a good Rheumatologist who will listen to you and work with you to improve your quality of life. There are many issues involved and some of them become as frustrated as you are and develope an indifference to your concerns…learn as much as you can about autoimmune disease so you can inform your doctors on signs and symptoms…my eczema started with my legs covered in bumps and uncontrolled itching. I was told I had a fungus infection, put on three different medications that did little to nothing before a dermotologist quickly landed on Atopic Dermatitis/Eczama and still was told to buy over-the-counter creams which did not control the condition which by then started on my face, neck, under my breasts, my feet, etc…
Finally a physician’s assistant prescribed Clobetasol Propionate Cream USP, 0.05% (Emollient).
Good luck but stay informed and insist on better care.

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Thankyou so much for your understanding and your advice. It's much appreciated. I have an appointment with the rheumatologist this Thursday coming so fingers crossed he or she will listen to me and help me get some answers.

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@seniormed

When you do research there are several versions of screening tests for psoriatic arthritis. You answer the questions and evolve a point total that suggests you have the diagnosis.
My results were positive and yet my first rheumatologist
gaslighted me as my psoriasis was so mild and controlled
with minimal involvement of my scalp and nails on steroids.
My present university rheumatologist did a very thorough
consult with ultrasound to make the right diagnosis.
There is no specific bloodwork for PsA but it helps exclude
other conditions.
The antibody medications for psoriatic arthritis improve your skin as well. The type of psoriasis flare caused by strep infections
is termed guttate psoriasis and could be mistaken for dermatitis. Hope your new rheumatologist gets you on a disease modifying drug. I would consider finding a dermatologist more interested in your case.
They will likely reassess your lupus antibodies but the facial
rash may be dermatitis related to the body eruption.
Psoriatic arthritis affects our bodies as a form of inflammation that needs ongoing management.
You have a good support community here and we are interested in your progress.

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Thankyou for your helpful advice. I finally went to my rheumatologist appointment last week at my local hospital. I think finally someone's listening to me. I was put on an oral medication for inflammation, and I have been given referrals for an MRI of my spine, CT scan, and full blood investigations so fingers crossed they can work it out. They told me my issues are extremely complex.

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@michellesorbello13 that butterfly shaped rash on your face seems to suggest rosacea. You definitely need to see a good dermatologist. If one doesn’t solve your problem, ask for a referral to another, till you find one who solves your problem.

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@rashida

@michellesorbello13 that butterfly shaped rash on your face seems to suggest rosacea. You definitely need to see a good dermatologist. If one doesn’t solve your problem, ask for a referral to another, till you find one who solves your problem.

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The butterfly rash often goes along with lupus

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very very sorry for your difficulties.

I am been in support groups with many difficult to diagnose folks.

Never underestimate the power of time to help solve problems.

Research, more research, second opinions, trying various things.

In my experience with very I'll folks, that process just about always leads to some positive results.

I would check into a few things in addition to everything else.

Allergies to laundry detergent (thus sheets and pillowcases, and of course clothes).

Allergies to soaps, shampoos, and all beauty products.

Food allergies.

Make sure your hydration is optimal. Make sure you are truly getting those 8 glasses of water daily. Without optimal hydration it is hard to heal from any illness.

Make sure your sleep is optimal. When we are ill, so incredibly important to get those 8 hours of sleep and every single night. That is key to supporting the immune system.

And, of course, eating very health food (but cleared re food allergies)

Sudden onset, and powerful allergy to pets.

Check for environmental factors. Mold in the home...too many chemicals in the air (near a major factory or fracking), too many chemicals in the water. Chemical exposure at your job.

I would think about also joining some support groups for chronic illnesses, invisible illnesses. And see if you can connect with someone with similar symptoms.

It is the internet and hard to glean accurate info. What I would do is see if I can find, say, 5 people who agree with an idea. And then a physician or two to also agree. And then I would know that I am likely headed down a right path.

I do know a weirder factoid re skin issues. And this is very anecdotal, so I would get some confirmation before proceeding.

But I do know a number of folks who had skin issues...went down to the beach for a week...hung out on the beach, breathing sea air for a week....and skin issues just went away.

My wife's old hairdresser had horrible asthma. Moved from New Jersey to North Carolina and asthma simply went away. No longer needed his inhaler.

Wish I knew more precisely how to help.

Do take care now.

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@michellesorbello13

Thankyou so much for your understanding and your advice. It's much appreciated. I have an appointment with the rheumatologist this Thursday coming so fingers crossed he or she will listen to me and help me get some answers.

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Not sure where you live but get to a Rheumatologist at Mayo or Cleveland Clinic.
Not all Rheumatologist are equal, personal experience speaking here.

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