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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What the FUCK is wrong with my skin

37 replies

Cheesypasta1 · 31/03/2022 11:38

Posted about this before but can’t seem to find the thread and I’ve namechanged since.Blush

So I have an area of skin on my scalp that won’t heal up. It’s sometimes crusty, but then the crusts come off and it leaves a red, raw, weepy wound. It starts to heal by crusting again, then the crusts come off and it all starts all over again. It’s wet and oozes and my surrounding hair ends up in sticky clumps because it’s a big wet open wound. It’s really nippy and nothing seems to be healing it.

I’ve had lots of different steroid creams, various antibiotics, topical antifungals and antifungal tablets. The latter helped at first and it went away thankfully as, but now it’s come back in the exact same area of my head. I’m so upset it’s back, I thought we had finally got rid of it Sad

It looks like a weepy, raw wound. It’s around 2 inches wide and probably about 2 inches high. It’s spread a bit round the nearby area but not all over my head.

Has anyone else had this? What helped?

OP posts:
thisplaceisweird · 31/03/2022 11:40

I don't want to scare you, but skin that doesn't heal can sometimes be skin cancer. I would be going to my GP asap, or book an appointment with a dermatologist.

nokidshere · 31/03/2022 12:13

Sorry but I agree with @thisplaceisweird you need to get it checked out properly. Hopefully it's nothing but don't leave it.

Clarabe1 · 31/03/2022 12:20

That needs checking and do not take no for an answer. You need a referral to a dermatologist.

Googlecanthelpme · 31/03/2022 12:22

I would say you need to see a dermatologist.
To both rule out anything serious but also to get some specialist care. GPs aren’t specialists and will basically spend months trying to give you different solutions that may or may not work.

CounsellorTroi · 31/03/2022 12:24

Could it be wet eczema? Whatever it is you need to see a dermatologist.

Newhorizon21 · 31/03/2022 12:28

It could be seborrheic dermatitis which is a chronic scalp condition, managed but not cured by over the counter medicated shampoos, or it could be more sinister & need a dermatology review

Talk to your GP

dermnetnz.org/topics/seborrhoeic-dermatitis

Original poster
Cheesypasta1 · 31/03/2022 12:33

Sorry I hope this isn’t a drip feed, I thought I had put it in my original post but I forgot to!

I was been referred to a dermatologist already a year ago but obviously with waiting times it’s taking a while. I haven’t had an appointment date through yet but I phoned to go on the cancellation list and they said it will still be a while yet because of covid delays. I completely understand this because covid has made everything take longer and there will be lots of people in the same position. Just one of those things unfortunately!

It all started nearly 2 years ago, I never had any skin problems before that. It was all over my scalp and in my ears. It was swabbed and was staph aurious, so I was treated for that and my ears cleared up thankfully, but my scalp has never healed since and for the last (nearly) 2 years it’s been like this. I’ll try and post a picture of it below.

Just hoped by posting this someone would recognise if and had something similar and knew of a cream or something I could get to sort it out, I don’t want to keep taking up appointments at the doctors for it!

OP posts:
goldierocks · 31/03/2022 12:37

Hi OP.... I had something that sounds very similar, only I had 5 'spots' dotted around my head. The liquid was almost sticky (no odour) & they really hurt.

I was sent by my G.P. to a specialist dermatologist at the Chelsea & Westminster hospital. After many tests, they concluded it was a type of psoriasis.

I went on to develop similar spots in other places. I was prescribed a special shampoo and two different creams to use when required. They seem to help to heal the lesions.

Unfortunately in my case they couldn't figure out a single underlying cause, so there is no preventative action I can take. I do have a number of allergies, they thought it could be related to that.

Please definitely seek professional medical help again and get referred to a specialist so it can be investigated.

Good luck Flowers

Original poster
Cheesypasta1 · 31/03/2022 12:39

I’ve attached a photo to this message so hopefully it’s worked

OP posts:
MillenialInDenial · 31/03/2022 12:41

Psoriasis with a shampoo allergy? My mother has the exact same issues.

Stayinginbedtoday · 31/03/2022 12:41

I’ve just had another swab for stamp aureus under my arms (absolutely enraged by the pain after two years of being prescribed everything with little impact long term) - it came back positive and can be
V hard to get rid of - maybe you need another swab?

monkeysmum21 · 31/03/2022 12:43

Impetigo, maybe?

Fraaahnces · 31/03/2022 12:46

Could you get some Selsun Gold shampoo? It’s a sulphuric-based shampoo that should help it if it’s fungal or bacterial, while you wait for your appointment. You need to gently lather it and leave it on your scalp for 3 mins, twice a week. I would avoid using conditioners on the scalp at all. I am wondering if you have seborrheic dermatitis. Is/was your hair greasy/waxy?

nearlyspringyay · 31/03/2022 12:50

That looks painful. Do you dye your hair? What shampoo are you using?

GingersHaveSoulsToo · 31/03/2022 12:53

Psoriasis - you describe what I have exactly and that is what it is. Constant cycle of itchy scab and the scab comes off, then sore and weeping. It is technically plaque psoriasis - a complete pain to put solution on as it comes up in patches all over!

INeedNewShoes · 31/03/2022 12:54

I'd go back to your GP (or a different one at the same practice). I'd have thought this might merit an 'urgent' referral to dermatology rather than a routine appointment with a long wait.

I have a crusty scalp issue that gets weepy and smelly and sore when it's bad. My GP had prescribed every possible scalp treatment under the sun and nothing worked. Dermatology referral also led to nothing useful. A trichologist sorted it in the end with Mediceuticals scalp treatment (it's a three-step treatment with no strong medications in it but something in it works for me). However, with your scalp being SO raw I'm not sure you should be putting anything on it just now.

GingersHaveSoulsToo · 31/03/2022 12:56

Aveeno shampoos and conditioners help soothe it but won't clear it.

Newhorizon21 · 31/03/2022 13:04

@Cheesypasta1

Sorry I hope this isn’t a drip feed, I thought I had put it in my original post but I forgot to!

I was been referred to a dermatologist already a year ago but obviously with waiting times it’s taking a while. I haven’t had an appointment date through yet but I phoned to go on the cancellation list and they said it will still be a while yet because of covid delays. I completely understand this because covid has made everything take longer and there will be lots of people in the same position. Just one of those things unfortunately!

It all started nearly 2 years ago, I never had any skin problems before that. It was all over my scalp and in my ears. It was swabbed and was staph aurious, so I was treated for that and my ears cleared up thankfully, but my scalp has never healed since and for the last (nearly) 2 years it’s been like this. I’ll try and post a picture of it below.

Just hoped by posting this someone would recognise if and had something similar and knew of a cream or something I could get to sort it out, I don’t want to keep taking up appointments at the doctors for it!

Arrange another appointment with your GP, ask for your dermatology referral to be expedited as your skin condition has deteriorated while waiting for an appointment with a dermatologist
bluetongue · 31/03/2022 13:05

That looks terrible OP Sad

Would seeing a private dermatologist help? Has your GP actually seen you in person for this issue? You need to kick up a fuss. You must be miserable. Poor thing.

loopylindi · 31/03/2022 13:10

for those with staph aureus try Hibiscrub wash (body and hair) I was prescribed this prior to surgery as I had SA on my body. It worked though

Mollyforgot · 31/03/2022 14:34

Scalp cellulitus? Maybe

Thatswhyimacat · 31/03/2022 14:59

I get psoriasis specifically in my ears and on my scalp, that looks much more sore though, does it ever look silvery coloured/scaly?

NigellaLawdaughter · 31/03/2022 15:13

I remember your first thread -- I think this is it?
It has some good info on it, either way.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4399110-Infected-skin-not-clearing-up

I wish I had some answers for you.
I hope it heals soon.

thisplaceisweird · 31/03/2022 16:22

If this has been going on for a year I think you should go back to your GP, lay it on really thick and insist he does something THIS WEEK to help.

Could you afford a private dermatologist appointment?

uncomfortablydumb53 · 31/03/2022 16:29

Just wondering if dilute hibiscrub might help as you've had staph aureus identified previously
It looks so sore. I think I would ask gp to contact hospital for an urgent appointment as it's deteriorated

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