Please help
Joined: 30 Jan 2008
| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:14 am Post subject: Please help | |
| PROBLEM:
I used to hydrocortisone 1% BP cream for 11 years, I used a small amount every day, the cream I had, my dad was given by his doctor to clear up dryed skin complaint which he has suffered with for years. My dad was given new creams every 2-3 months so there was always a tube available for me. I used to go through a tube at least every 6 months. The areas I applied the cream from the biggining used to be around the middle and to the side of my face, but I soon started to use it all over my face. I have been off the steroid cream now for about 2 years, for the first couple of months my face used to get very swollen and sore in the areas I mostly used the cream. I started using Nivea cream but sometimes would occaisonlay go back to the steroid cream if I thought my skin looked bad and swollen. It took me a good 6months to completely come of the cream. Since I have stopped using the cream I am now seeing the damaged it has caused, the most applied areas our 40% of the day our red and swollen and it feels as if my face has another layer of skin on it, and I am now seeing a slight disfigurment change in my face when I am swollen. My face flushes between 1 & 2 times a day. If I have had alchol on a Saturday my face is swollen and red the next day, and does not really calm down completely to at least 3-4 days after depending on how much alchohol I consumed. I used to play football 3 times a week, but I am now cutting back to 1 day a week as my face after football is very red and swollen, and the next day it looks even worse. I know I have a problem with my skin in certain areas and some days when it is swollen and red and continuously flushing I find it hard to got to work, talk to people and most of all relate to my family in the way I should, basically I feel withdrawn and depressed. The worse thing is, is that I know it has been self inflicted which makes me feel angry and very un-sociable. I used to be very outgoing, funny and full of life but I feel this skin complaint is holding me back in my family life and working life and without it resolved I can not see my life being what I want it to be. WHAT TRIGGERS MY FACE: 1: ALCOHOL 2: EXERCISE 3: HEAT 4: LIGHTS 5: STRESS 6: WEATHER/CONDITIONS |
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Joined: 20 Jan 2008
| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:42 pm Post subject: | |
| You could also have a mast cell disorder, as when mast cells release histamines too easily (in a not normal manner), people can flush and have the problems which you describe. The only reason I am mentioning it is that your triggers are the same as triggers for people with mast cell issues. Heat, exercise, weather, etc, will cause these symptoms in people with such mast cells illnesses as mastocytosis. If you did have a mast cell issue going on, it woudl actually be a mild one. But, you might try googling it and seeing what you find. The best source of info is the nonprofit org: tmsforacure.org
If you did actually have a mast cell problem, it is easily controlled with prescription histamine blockers. Best thing to do is to get checked out my an allergist. People with these illnesses don't really have allergies, but the source of the problem is still mast cells which are what cause allergy problems. |
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Joined: 07 Jan 2008
| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:32 pm Post subject: | |||
What tests can an allergist run to find out if you have a mast cell disorder? I know about the bone marrow test, but I don't have any systemic symtoms. The only thing I have on the list of symptoms is itching (I don't know if my face is related or not). I have had allergy testing done and it came back with strong positives for dust mites as well as dander and various trees/environmental allergies. Not sure if that is what is causing my itching or not. Antihistamines (especially Xyzal) really help. I thought I was starting to have flushing issues, but I realized they started when I started Doxepin (for itching) and so I stopped. Since stopping, the flushing has gotten better each day I've been off and almost non-existent now, so I really think it was from the meds. Is there a blood test that can show over production (or whatever) of mast cells? I'm going to the allergist for a follow-up next week and want her to run some tests. I want to have a list to go in with! Thanks! ~J |
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Joined: 20 Jan 2008
| Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:51 am Post subject: | |
| I wish that I could tell you that there is an easy test to check for mast cell disorders. Unfortunately, it is diagnosed through a method of elimination. If you test negative to everything that the doc can think to test for, then they finally diagnose you with mast cell disorder. Sometime people have so many of the symptoms that the doc simply tries the patient on histamine blockers and if they work, then he is assumed to have mast cell disorder.
If you go to the website that I listed in my other post, you can gather tons of info to discuss with your allergist. Hopefully, you only have rosacea, though!  |
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