[lulu7060]

I've had itching/welts on my elbows, fingers, head buttocks and various other places for over 3 months dermotogist first said recation to med after laying the sun, then he said my reg meds I take, then he said probably something I'm eating. And now dr don't want to see me unless it get worse can't get any worse than 3 months of agany can anyone help tyvm

[DesElms]

Many physicians joke that dermatology is the easiest specialty because all you really have to know is which of a half dozen or so creams to prescribe, depending on the nature of the symptoms. Of course that's not true. Dermatologists have very important jobs. They are, for example, usually the ones who spot skin cancers first... and who, therefore, save lives. And they do all manner of other very important things besides just prescribe creams.

But the joke grew from the fact that there are a whole lot of things that happen to and on our skin that aren't easy to diagnose. So sometimes dermatologists come across like they're kinda' just guessing. They're not, of course... though, that said, there is a certain amount of trial-and-error... which might at least make it seem like they don't know what they're doing. But they do, of course.

The one you're seeing may not, though. I mean, he/she may be a good doctor, but it sounds like he/she isn't being a very good detective. Every place you've described that you're having symptoms are contact points... places on your body with which you touch other things, or places on your body which you touch with other places on your body.

Fingers and elbows touch the world around us. Fingers also touch (and scratch) heads and buttocks. If I had to guess, I'd say that yours is a contact dermatitis, not an internal one from something you're eating or otherwise ingesting. You're coming into contact with something... something you're touching with your fingers; something onto which you may be resting your elbows. Then you touch your head, butt and other parts of your body with those same fingers... and, voilà, you get welts and rashes because whatever it is you're touching is something to which you're allergic.

You're going to have to become incredibly anally retentive and pay attention to every single thing with which you come into contact for a few days... every single thing. Somewhere in your life you're coming into contact with something... you're probably touching it with your fingers, but don't ignore those elbows, either. What are they touching? Are you putting your elbows up on top of a counter somewhere, and then resting your chin in your hands or something? Are you touching something somewhere with your fingers, then touching and/or scratching your elbows, head, buttocks and whatever other areas?

Have you recently changed makeup, lotions, cologne, soap, laundry detergent, etc. etc. Are you working in a new place; laying your hands or elbows on top of something new in your life? Is there a new pet... or person... in your life? Are you going home by a different route, touching new handrailings or doorknobs that you weren't touching before? Etc. etc. Are they using a new handsoap in the restroom at work? Are you hanging-out in one or more places in which you never used to hang-out? Are you driving a new vehicle; or did you have yours cleaned/detailed inside? Any of these chemicals could be the culprit.

Think. Think. Become a detective. You know already, probably. You just don't know yet that you know. Think. What could it be? You say you've had symptoms for three months. Fine. Think back about four months. What has changed in your life in that time. What could you possibly be touching starting four months ago that you weren't touching before? Think! You'll figure it out.

Then stop touching it and see what happens. And start washing your hands a whole lot more often... at least for a while, until you figure it out.

In the meantime, you need an antihistamine of some kind. The itching and welts are a histamine reaction. Your dermatologist should be able to figure out what he/she can give you to relieve the itching and reduce the welts. It likely won't be topical. A prescription pill of some kind.

If you want to see if an antihistamine will work, try taking a couple of Benadryl capsules (an over-the-counter antihistamine) an hour or so before bedtime. They will likely make you sleepy, but before you nod off, notice if the itching and swelling is relieved. If so, then you definitely need some kind of antihistamine... but one that won't make you drowsy, which will almost certainly need to be a prescription. I recommend the Benadryl Dye-free Liquigel capsules because sometimes the dye in the coatings of medications can be allergens themselves. Using dye-free antihistamines ensures that the problem is not made worse.

There is also a Benadryl anti-itch ointment or cream... but topical antihistamines are often not terribly effective.

Keep harassing your doctor. Make him/her treat you. Be an educated patient. If he/she won't see you, then find another doctor who will.

Remember, also, that sometimes the older (usually male) physicians were trained very differently than young doctors are today. Some of those old guys sometimes have an "oh, shut-up and quit your whining" sort of attitude... and so they won't prescribe when maybe they should because they think it's just nothing. It sounds a little like that's what's going on with you and your physician. If so, then either tune him/her up, or dump him/her and find another doctor. They're everywhere. You can't throw a rock without hitting one.

Good luck!