skin problems

[Mari]

Hi,

My friend took some pictures. I might try again in better light.

The rash is kind of scaly and might have stared when I was still working before the Christmas break --- this helps me think of that timing --- I raised the Gabapentin sometime after December 18 but I might have had the rash before December 18.
I am aware that the Gabapentin could end up being a problem for me no matter the dose. I am also aware that the problem might not be med related.

The skin on my wrists is scaly so every once in a while I was using (once a week) a very mild facial exfoliate on the back of my hands http://www.clinique.com/product/1682...ula/index.tmpl

Then only occasionally I would use this http://www.naturalwebstore.com/15825...yj6bqkmjou.php
(I just realized when I looked at the container that I was using them wrong. I thought the "soap" was a lotion. ) A few nights ago this was rather irritating whereas it was not in the recent past.

======
Two nights ago I used
1 the scrub and then
2 some refined coconut oil (from the cooking section of the grocery store) http://www.vitaminlife.com/product-e...FXCmPAodbFoAVw
My hands and wrists felt wonderful when I applied the coconut oil.
I do not regularly use the coconut oil because it is messy and I worry about ruining clothes and furniture.

Originally Posted by waves

the only thing that doesn't clog pores, if anything would be 100% PURE vitamin E but most folks don't have it. (oral gelcaps are not pure vit E). and all the same, i think in your place, i'd probably not put anything on it at all, and try to limit (within reason) how much i wet my hands. (when you do have to wet or wash your hands, dab the area dry, do not rub). good thing it's the backs of your hands and not the palms.

~ waves ~

I used to have Almond Oil (again, from the cooking section of the store) but I am not sure where it is. I might have tossed it out because of concerns that it was old.

I wash my hands throughout the day. I will limit that.

My friend who took the pictures could barely see any rash --- but she rarely notices subtleties.

M

[waves]

Dear Mari

Originally Posted by Mari

My friend took some pictures. I might try again in better light.

EXCELLENT!!

The rash is kind of scaly and might have stared when I was still working before the Christmas break --- this helps me think of that timing --- I raised the Gabapentin sometime after December 18 but I might have had the rash before December 18.

Tends to take the Gabapentin out of the picture.

The skin on my wrists is scaly so every once in a while I was using (once a week) a very mild facial exfoliate on the back of my hands
...
(I was using them wrong. I thought the "soap" was a lotion. )

BINGO!!! here we have a clear link between specific products and actions used on the back of your hands, and a rash which appeared, looky looky, precisely in that area and nowhere else.

Given this context, your symptoms

Originally Posted by Mari

skin on the tops/backs of my hands and wrists are red and scaly and burning.

correspond well with contact eczema. using a "soap" - even Clinique - as a lotion definitely can cause such a reaction, but i'm betting the exfoliation set you up for it. Exfoliation no matter how gentle involves some abrasion of the skin and will cause temporary irritation, even if subtle.

Since you've tried the coconut oil on it with beneficial results - i'd stick with that. It is an excellent nourishing agent and anti-inflammatory despite its scarce content of vitamin E. You won't have to do this long, worry about the couches later. you could apply it and sit for five minutes, then dab dry with a soft cotton cloth. I would suggest 2ce a day - morning/evening. Virgin coconut oil would be better but since what you have works, fine.

However, please, please, suspend use of the cleansers and do not exfoliate, even if the skin is scaly. Use only the oil until the redness and burning go away. If you are not taking your Zinc, you may also take that to help with healing.

===============================

I too hope you feel much better, and i believe you will.

That said I'd STILL consult the dermatologist on this whole incident -

1. I'd get HER recommendations on managing what you are describing as the "scaliness" for which you were using the exfoliate. Exfoliation may not be appropriate at all. Depending on the reason for the "scaliness," using deep moisturizers more regularly (such as your coconut oil) may be more appropriate.
2. I'd also get her take on possible gabapentin involvement although i see it as highly unlikely.

Sooner is better so she can see whatever is left of the rash if anything. Also bring the pix.

yeah yeah i know...
guess i'll shut up now and leave you with a snippet from an article on coconut oil.

------------------------------------------------
http://www.greensolutionsmag.com/?p=335

Organic cold pressed virgin coconut oil is one of the most stimulating and uplifting oil for sensitive skin and can be classified as top “notes” or top grade skin oil.

If coconut oil is cold pressed from mature coconut kernels at temperature below 46° C, it is classified as 100% raw virgin coconut oil. It usually has a wonderful, very light fresh coconut smell and contain the high content of Lauric Acid — a fatty acid that provides antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Such coconut oil can help to treat Candida, nail fungus infections, dandruff and has shelf life up to several years.

~ waves ~

[Mari]

Originally Posted by waves

However, please, please, suspend use of the cleansers and do not exfoliate, even if the skin is scaly. Use only the oil until the redness and burning go away. If you are not taking your Zinc, you may also take that to help with healing.
:

Waves,

I have stopped the exfoliate . . . it took me awhile to become aware that I had a rash. I thought it was only rough skin or skin not smooth enough. If something fundamental is happening then the scaling is different from simple rough skin. I will call her to try for an appt soon. I like the derm and usually her office runs smoothly.

The unrefined coconut oil had an odor that was distracting so I tossed it. I will put on the refined oil before bed tonight. Maybe I can wear it with socks or cloth gloves over my hands so I do not smear oil on everything I touch: computer key board, . . . .

My meds and vitamins and supplements are disorganized. Maybe I should get to that on Wed.
I will take some zinc when I get organized myself enough to take it with food.
I am fasting tonight for mdoc's appoint in case she wants me to be available to give fasting blood. Her appt is as 2:45 p.m.. I had finished a salad of olives and some hummus at 3:00 a.m. That gives me 11 3/4 hours. The blood draw would be after I see her and perhaps sometime after 3:00 p.m.

I took 400 mgs Gabapentin tongight --- up from the 300 I took last night after talking to the pharmacist but down from the 500 I last took two nights ago.

M

[waves]

Dear Mari,

That sounds like a good plan.

As to the unrefined oil... i never use anything that smells funny to me either. And while it "technically" has a long shelf-life you never know what conditions it had been through before reaching you. Even if it was fine when you got it, it may have gone rancid quickly.

I am glad you like the derm and that you will go to see her. I understand about the blood tests. Don't worry too much about the Zinc - it was just a suggestion. You probably get your daily requirement in food.

I think it's probably ok that you upped the gabapentin again too, especially considering the circumscript location of the rash.

~ waves ~

[Mari]

The smell was fine. It was too Coconut-y.
The refined coconut oil has no smell.

M

[Brokenfriend]

Originally Posted by katmae

Mari,try not to put store lotions on most of them contain acahols or perfumes this will more then likely make your hands burn and more sore,this may sound silly but try a rubbing a little bit of crisco vegateble shorting on your hands this will help put some moisture back in your hands,untill you can get to a doc.

Katmae I've heard of something like this. I had a cat that had real dry ears on the inside of her ears. I forgot exactly what a person recommended,but it was something like that. I can't remember. BF

[butterfly11]

Originally Posted by Brokenfriend

Katmae I've heard of something like this. I had a cat that had real dry ears on the inside of her ears. I forgot exactly what a person recommended,but it was something like that. I can't remember. BF

I had a dog that had dry inside ears and the vet told me to rub baby oil with a cotton ball on the inside of them for her so they wouldn't itch her so much. It worked.

Mari I hope your hands keep getting better! (I don't like the smell of coconut either. Good to know the refined one doesn't smell.)

[katmae]

the refind oil not only dose not smell but when they refine it it also removes part of the natural vitamans that are in it so unrefind is actualy better for your skin,I do hope that you find some releaf for your hands