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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this may need more urgent attention now?? Medical issue

216 replies

Issue33 · 29/04/2022 20:11

DH is worrying me a bit. He's had a skin issue now for around 2 months. It's like his skin is on fire and it's getting worse. It's itchy all over, he said feels like things crawling over him and he has cracked and scabbed skin in large patches on his arms, legs, tummy and back.

He's been to the doctors twice who keep saying it's eczema (I've got eczema and it looks absolutely nothing like it but I appreciate I'm no doctor!).

He's tried steroid creams, steroid tablets, antibiotics... Nothing is touching it.

He's so miserable tonight, says he feels like he's burning everywhere (he doesn't have a temp though I checked).

Would I be unreasonable to suggest he gets this looked at more urgently now? Maybe even A&E? 111?! Anything! Or do we trust the GP that it's "just" eczema?

OP posts:
Courtjobby · 30/04/2022 20:32

I am so sorry about this and hope your treatment is going well.

@Issue33 Op I instantly wondered about liver issues too. Deffo get bloods done.

Courtjobby · 30/04/2022 20:34

My last post was directed to @AMLlucky initially.

Scabetty · 30/04/2022 20:39

Doctor told my father he had scabies and he insisted on a referral to dermatologist who said as soon as he saw him it was his liver.

GoldPlatedApron · 30/04/2022 20:40

Sugarplumfairy65 · 29/04/2022 21:36

In what world would this be an accident or an emergency?
Your husband needs to go back to his gp and ask to be referred to a dermatologist. In the meantime, go to a pharmacist, tell them what medications have been tried and ask for their recommendations

Show quote history

In what world? The man can’t sleep. That is an emergency- lack of sleep can be life threatening.

Just be thankful you have never experienced a medical condition that seems trivial but make life very hard to live

tkwal · 30/04/2022 20:49

It could be an allergy, it could be that your washing powder formulation has changed. Has he taken some over the counter medication he's not used to?.It could be anxiety but if your GP doesn't run a series of blood tests covering liver function, kidney function, lipids, blood levels and antibodies I would complain as vocally as you can. Even if its only to rule out some of the options

amatsip · 30/04/2022 20:50

It sounds similar to what I have, pustular psoriasis, I’m on biologics to try to keep it at bay.

Bitterwounds · 30/04/2022 20:53

Haven't RTFT but could it be plaque psoriasis? That can be very itchy

Bitterwounds · 30/04/2022 20:54

Sounds like he might need a stronger steroid.

JDEE72 · 30/04/2022 20:55

Have the doctor test him for Lymes disease.
and insist, because they often dismiss it out of hand. The uk is very behind when it comes to lymes testing and treatment.

my husband broke out in the exact same way you described, he has lymes.
he was really sick with it.
his skin was sloughing off, eyes were swollen. Exhausted and in pain.

I hope your husband feels better very soon 🌷

DressingGownofDoom · 30/04/2022 20:57

Can you send a picture of his skin? It could be many things, a private dermatology appointment is probably the way to go if you can afford it. In the meantime he could try taking piriton and try Daktacourt cream on a patch, it really is a wonder cream brilliant for lots of things.

Orangepuffpastry · 30/04/2022 21:01

Just to add, if you DH is desperate for advice over the weekend, an online GP service might be an option?

Aleciahartismyhero · 30/04/2022 21:01

My dc has coeliac and gets dermatitis herpetiformis and it’s awful when it flares. Might be worth a coeliac test poor him sounds awful

gianaInfertilitySucks · 30/04/2022 21:09

I agree with you, you need to check it out

Chikasan · 30/04/2022 21:38

My husband has severe eczema which flares up badly from time to time. As a temporary measure to bring a bit of relief, he uses his two prescribed eczema creams and then wraps his arms/legs in cling film. This stops him damaging his skin from scratching. He then holds ice packs against the itching areas, moving the ice packs around where needed This does help him sleep.

alreadytaken · 30/04/2022 21:43

Someone up thread said pictures and ask the gp to send them to a dermatologist for a referral. I agree. Then ring the dermatology department a week later to make sure they have it. If possible go private. It probably isnt something a&e are going to be able to help with but an out of hours service is worth trying. If he does get to see someone ask for blood tests including a liver screen and a coeliac test. Also a test for helicobacter pylori infection.

You can try taking gluten out of his diet, that wouldnt work immediately so give it a couple of weeks and be strict about it. You can also try higher than normal doses of antihistamine. I've heard of 4 times the normal dose being given by a dermatologist, shouldnt do that without medical advice but could double up. If he normally has the non drowsy modern ones try Piriton instead. If you use biological soap products wash anything he wears, towels and bedding in non biological powder. No hot baths, cool only or a cool shower.

JetTail · 30/04/2022 21:49

It's his liver.

Uhohwhoops · 30/04/2022 21:50

I've not read all the replies so sorry if it's already mentioned but sounds an awful lot like psoriasis to me.
My grandad had it severely all over and never got rid of it, just had to manage it with creams, washing powders, shampoos etc sometimes it was very bad like your DH and sometimes it was OK. My DH has it mildly and uses a cream and we have found a detergent that suits him.

SallyB392 · 30/04/2022 22:18

Not A&E, but if you can head tomorrow for Holland &Barret, and pick up some Balmonds Skin Salvation cream it's magic cream. Had the same problem, and one layer of the stuff (greasy and smelly), and I was healing after trying creams emollient s, lotions, steroids the works. The blistering was gone, no more itch, red is almost gone, it's amazing stuff

Waitingforbabyno1toarrive · 30/04/2022 22:24

OP who ever you speak to next (111 or GP) you must tell them it is affecting his ability to sleep as you've previously mentioned. I had an extremely painful abcess on my back which drs refused to do anything with other than antibiotics which didn't work. It was so large, think satsuma size, and the pain was so intense I was unable to sleep. The moment I mentioned this part (lack of sleep) to the drs they sprang into action and had me seen that same day to have it removed. It seems they take this more seriously than just being in pain.

GreatCuppa · 30/04/2022 22:24

This is random but has he got erythromelalgia. Although it’s very rare. Either way I really think he needs to be seen by someone that isn’t your GP.

Chuck2015 · 30/04/2022 22:33

I used Aveeno now for most skin conditions and wondered if you’ve considered going private initially? I’ve rarely done this but find GP’s don’t respond to skin issues v urgently so have done it once or twice for skin issues. It wasn’t extortionate, he shouldn’t have have to but in the current climate might be worth considering

ButterflyBitch · 30/04/2022 22:34

Google formication. Something there might ring a bell. Feels like something crawling under your skin.

Sunnierdays · 30/04/2022 22:56

Hi, husband is a Dr you are well within your rights for a second opinion. Ask to see another GP. It’s sounds awful 😞

SpideySensesAreTingling · 30/04/2022 22:56

Could possibly be Haemochromatosis (iron overload). Ask for your husbands Ferritin levels to be checked). A few members of my family have this and itching was a symptom, particularly during showering. I hope your husband feels better soon OP x

a1poshpaws · 30/04/2022 22:57

I haven't time to read the full thread, but I'd definitely call NHS 24 or whatever they're called nowadays. There are so many things this could be - both serious and not - that he really needs tests done, not a GP who's decided it's eczema and is too arrogant to reconsider.

All over itching is a common sign of kidney disease as well as liver disease btw.

Please don't take your GP's diagnosis as certain. Two things say they're absolutely not: My mother's GP spent 3 months sending her off with cream for her itchy nipple, and didn't even consider cancer until the nipple inverted. Mum died 2 years later of the metastasized cancer. Plus I'm in the process of making a Medical Negligence claim because I was wrongly diagnosed by a Consultant at my local hospital and have consequently spent the last 9 months in severe pain. I've been referred for a second opinion and it's looking like I may have to have a big operation ... doctors are NOT infallible.