What is this rash? Pic

[gertrudemortimer]

For the love of god I turned 30 last week and my body is broken. Incase any of this is relevant I'll put down each ailment if someone has a magic pill I can take to fix it all.

Beginning with December, dodgy long heavy periods, pain during sex, gynae said I had a bulky uterus, stomach hard and uncomfortable, very bad smell from inside vagina mainly during periods and after but still a smell every day that is 'off'. Sti tests negative had ultrasound scan last week, still waiting to find out what is what with that.

Last week, small rash started on bum thought I'd scratched it somehow, gradually the rash has spread to both bum cheeks and my thighs. Feels like little raised pin pricks at first but then they get bigger and join up. Sore and itchy at the same time, none have popped or had anything come out. Never had a rash like it.

Few days after the rash I notice I have very strong smelling urine did a urine dip that I had at home it was positive for nitrites and protein but not leukocytes. Gp questionnaire to get AB's was rejected because my only symptoms is the smell and the amount of urine is quite a lot more than usual but no pain or burning etc. HELP. I'm taking in urine samples tomorrow (how small are the tubes now!?) but just so curious about this rash too if anyones had anything similar

Are you still using steroids? Might it be a misdiagnosis of a fungal infection, in which case steroids would make it worse? If you use steroid creams on a fungal rash, it burns and can cause blistering.

Could you try stopping the steroid on a small area and replace with an anti fungal, just to see whether it makes a difference? If this is the right course of treatment, you might see a difference within a couple of days.

I have chronic urticaria so I get how you must be feeling
Cool baths/showers are usually the best for me, I put oats in the bath sometimes (in the leg of a pair of tights!) and use aveeno as it's mild and doesn't irritate
Definitely something going on. Antihistamines didn't control my urticaria and I ended up on Xolair

@gertrudemortimer feeling awful for you and very worried. I hope you get the answers you need asap. My other half started a rash a week ago on one of his legs and it’s spreading despite being given meds. Absolutely no clue what it is. (His looks like yours in the beginning stages.) Your case looks very serious, I wish there was a way to speed up help for you. Wishing you loads of luck 🍀

Because it is so widespread it is probably more likely to be allergy/eczema than fungal as fungal probably wouldn't spread that much, more localised. I get pompolyx eczema on my hands and feet it it is not that dissimilar to your later photos, that starts with blistery itchy bits that burst and ooze a bit of liquid then peels though you generally only get that on your hands and feet

When does your biopsy come back?

Poor you, it looks v painful. Please do make sure you see someone today as fast spreading widespread rashes are serious! I once had eczema herpeticum (which looks similar but was redder from the start and more blister like and less lumpy) and it got treated as an emergency.

I hope you can get some relief soon as it must be making you feel awful. Did you end up cutting out wheat/gluten?

Are you still on antibiotics for the original infection? If so, could you be allergic to them?

Gosh that's awful, I'm so sorry you aren't getting any relief! I agree back to GP. You should be seeing relief by now if the fexofenadine were going to work.

Are you still working OP. TBH in your position, I'd go to A and E (not the hospital you work at) and cry. It's been going on for too long and is currently ruining your life...

Best advice as this is progressing so fast!

I've had a very similar rash like you have on your bum a couple of times on my chest, I also get the same arm/legs spots as in your photos, but not as many. Mine has always been put down to Lupus, the arm and legs ones are always from being in the sun, it doesn't have to be strong sun for it to appear.
I also lose my hair, get tingly skin and have peeling skin. I also get a hot feeling like I have sunburn.

It's not shingles but the rash on your buttocks does look herpetic a bit. I do see from your update that it has spread a lot. Can the GP send a photo to dermatology online to get their opinion?

Hi all I've been in to the gp and they just told me the referral is done but if I need it fast tracking I have to book another appt, I'm assuming it is fast tracked but who knows. She did take photos which I think she sent to dermatology with the referral.

I rang the hospital to chase bloods and got a call back from someone so I told them how awful it's getting she's going to chase dermatology at that hospital for me and chase the bloods too. I'm waiting for a call back from them whilst staying in the shade! My back is so so sore I'll attach a photo I'm not sure how clear it will be. The skin is like leather no moisture in it at all just like a severe sunburn

@Cocolapew I've looked at lupus but I don't have the butterfly red skin on my face. Also would that have flagged up from the full blood count I had? I hope you're doing okay and it's managed well I have a friend who gets very bad flare ups from lupus it seems horrendous

Also I'm not ignoring the a&e calls there has been a few times when I've wanted to go but I'm not sure what they could do for me to relieve any of this, I doubt any of the a&e staff will know what it is either!

Google “How to Identify Lupus Rash” I spoke to a friend who ended up with Lupus and her rash looks way more like yours than any Herpes related rash. I mean as in identical to yours.

Thanks Gertrudemortimer, mine was diagnosed from symptoms and I very rarely have the butterfly rash.
I wouldn't be surprised if you have an auto immune disease of some type with your symptoms.
I hope you get answers soon 💐

I've just got off the phone with the dermatologist from my work. I sent some photos and he's seeing me tomorrow. They are fantastic! He said they have an idea about what it might be but there's no point talking names until they get the biopsy results back which were done as urgent so they should be back in 7 days from now. He did tell me the names but I immediately forgot I didn't think it's anything I've heard of during my sleuthing. I might get some champs in for the reveal, if it's ever revealed.

Oh that sounds more positive and here's hoping you get an update soon!

Not me, but these are rashes connected to Lupus.

Oh xpost, that's good news!

That's brilliant news, you'll have a proper qualified medical sleuth instead of all us amateurs!

Good luck and hope you get answers and relief soon 💐

@Cocolapew thank you for them. The dermatologist is thinking that it's some kind of immune problem.

I'm trying not to jump to any conclusions, I hope its not anything serious and that I'll heal and be left without marks (superficial I know) or long term medication which I'm sure is all anyone ever wants when stuff like this starts.

He said he's going to prescribe me some more creams and he will try and keep me off steroid tablets if that is possible.

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor absolutely! I'll keep the thread updated you've all been fab at helping and offering ideas.

@Yarnasaurus that's when I knew I was screwed, when Mumsnet had no clear majority!

Thank goodness they can see you tomorrow! Definitely get some champs in! Fingers crossed they come up with the solution

Update!

He thinks it might be celiac disease he seemed quite chuffed he might have cracked it he mentioned a skin condition called lichen planus too but that was before he saw the new rash.

I've got horrendous diarrhoea and joint & muscle ache today I'm really not feeling great I haven't eaten properly since Sunday and when I have I've had severe cramps & diarrhoea I thought it might be period related but that ended on Tuesday and it's worse than normal period diarrhoea sorry for tmi. I also have grey vaginal discharge, not had this colour before just noticed it after the appt too annoyingly.

I'm going for more bloods today god knows what happened to the other ones I'm not sure if these are the same again or different.

Oh wow, well at least that means it's easily fixed ,doesn't it? Poor you though!