Rash Photos :(

[nicole_marie]

We took my son off of steroid creme so his pediatrician and naturopath could see what was really going on and to take photos for his upcoming trip to see several specialists in a couple of weeks.

He was IgG tested and on a very restrictive diet. He also lost 8 pounds in the matter of 2 months on the elimination diet (30% of his body weight). Everyone that cares for him (including our medical team) is very concerned.

Have any of you seen a rash like this before? I wonder if it is something rare? Maybe related to his Aspergillus allergy? Maybe an auto-immune response? Maybe a fungal infection? Maybe a bacterial infection?

These were taken just before his epsom bath tonight, then we applied steroid creme. His rash wasn't so bad *before* his nap...it flares up like this when he sleeps or gets warm. It pains me to post these.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...0_03278web.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...0_03277web.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...0_03275web.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...0_03274web.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...0_03273web.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...0_03272web.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...0_03271web.jpg

[uumomma]

poor baby!

my first thought was yeast?

[uumomma]

my second thought is strep...
i hope you find out soon.

[claddaghmom]

Poor poor baby!

That reminds me of when I was stung by a jellyfish. That rash was on the back of my calf/ankle for 2 weeks.

[nicole_marie]

He's been tested for strep and it was negative. He is on day 16 of a 30 day course of diflucan and a sugar free diet. He is eating only non sweet fruits, steamed root veggies, blended leafy greens, steamed regular veggies, turkey and now millet and garbanzo beans.

[nicole_marie]

I know. I can't look at them anymore without tears. My heart is so broken.




I'm not sure if it was a coincidence, but he was outside enjoying the gorgeous weather today. He came in the house from playing outside, started sneezing, then took a nap and woke up like this. It was more smooth and pink this morning. It looked like it was starting to clear up.

Although, it has ALWAYS responded to heat. It ALWAYS flares up with heat (from sleep, weather, activity or fevers). It's like he is allergic to heat.

[nicole_marie]

He's had the rash for 11 months and it has only gotten worse with or without steroid treatment.

[Koalamom]

Are you breastfeeding him? If so are you on a special diet for him too?

It doesn't look at all like eczema. That looks like a yeast type rash. My dd gets really bad rashes all over her body, but they are different. If she gets rashes like that, they are on her diaper area, and only after eating her serious allergens- hers that do that is pork anything, honey, lacto fermented foods like sauerkraut.

I will keep your LO in my prayers.

[Koalamom]

Originally Posted by nicole_marie

Although, it has ALWAYS responded to heat. It ALWAYS flares up with heat (from sleep, weather, activity or fevers). It's like he is allergic to heat.

Heat can bring out a histamine reaction. Is he avoiding histamine foods?

How is his digestion?

Are you giving him any vitamin C. That is coming to my thoughts and Vit C helps with histamine reactions.

Does he do better after epsom salt baths?
With my kids, the warm baths make rashes look worse for a bit, but in the long run, they clear up better later after the heat reaction subsides.

I will post more when I think of other ideas...

[deditus]

Really, it looks most like contact dermatitis to me, like when I wear something washed in Purex (or other cheap detergent) or get into poison ivy or try to dye my hair or use patcholi oil. Is there anything that touches his skin regularly that you haven't switched up?

[Koalamom]

Originally Posted by deditus

Really, it looks most like contact dermatitis to me, like when I wear something washed in Purex (or other cheap detergent) or get into poison ivy or try to dye my hair or use patcholi oil. Is there anything that touches his skin regularly that you haven't switched up?

It does look like poison ivy doesn't it.

[*Erin*]

oh goodness, poor little bub im sorry for what you guys are going through, mama. to me, it looks like a contact dermatitis/yeast rash. especially since his nipple is affected. you can use an over the counter anti-fungal cream to treat yeast rash along with the oral meds he's taking, like lotrimin. the really ones have an anti-itch ingredient, too, hydrocortisone i think. something else i thought..in the close up, the rash looks like it has tiny papules (like tiny blisters)? that would make me wonder about scabies being a possibility.

big hugs and good luck to you, i hope you guys find an answer soon.

[mbbinsc]

Poor child...just looking at the pictures the rash seems to extend along spinal nerve roots on both sides. Any chance that it is shingles?

[balancedmama]

Wow, mama. I am so sorry. I am glad you are getting into a specialist.

That does not look like typical eczema to me. Especially because of the presentation - mostly on torso but not at all below that diaper line.

Any rash at all on legs or under diaper? That feels significant to me.

I agree it does look like shingles, and/or poison ivy.

[chattyprincess]

Just wanted to say sorry and your in our thoughts and prayers! I have to agree that it does not look like eczema to me either. I know you have gotten tons of great advice on here and don't want to overload you. Whenever anyone in our family has anything that itches I immediatly put some weleda calendula cream on it. That seems to relieve any pain and itchness...might do nice things for his back where he can reach to itch...It probably won't heal it but at least it will bring him relief and comfort! plus its great in helping to heal little scratches and burns...good luck!

[oak_leaf]

Just giving you a quick cyber-hug, Nicole

I am pretty sure she hasn't changed her wash routine, and the baby is not breastfed.

[lily7]

Hugs from me too!
It does look like shingles or poison ivy.
It may be contact dermatitis. I have eczema and it always gets worse when I sweat. Have you tried 100% organic cotton shirt? Maybe just wash it in very hot water? Keep his room cool so he doesnt get too warm?

[Mosaic]

I thought shingles, too, but it shouldn't last that long. It's acting like eczema, including reacting to heat and responding to steroids, but it doesn't LOOK like eczema, and it's not in typical eczema places. I also don't think it's an allergic reaction, based on look and spread. I'm assuming it didn't get any better with the elimination diet, etc?

How much is it present on his face? From the pictures, it looks like for the most part the skin is intact, not broken or blistery, and that unaffected skin is healthy, not dry, scaly, etc?

[WuWei]

That looks like shingles to me, the way it spreads around the back and trunk. Have they cultured it?

I'd try mineral rich salt water, like Himalayan salt added to bath, or baking soda baths. I'd try homeopathy, it definitely could help, in my experience. You can alternate baking soda, sea salts, Epsom salts. Each has different properties and benefits. Dead sea salts are helpful for eczema also.

I'm not keen on anti-fungal Diflucan, baby could have mercury issues and be dumping them into circulation. (ds now reacting to mercury)




Pat

[nicole_marie]

Originally Posted by Mosaic

I also don't think it's an allergic reaction, based on look and spread. I'm assuming it didn't get any better with the elimination diet, etc?

Correct, it has not gotten ANY better on the elimination diet, it's actually flared up the worst after a few weeks on the elimination diet. It has not shown a pattern that would suggest food allergies, however, IgG showed numerous food allergies. We are doing the rotation/elimination thing anyway.

Originally Posted by Mosaic

I thought shingles, too, but it shouldn't last that long.

I agree. Is shingles a year long illness?

Originally Posted by Mosaic

How much is it present on his face? From the pictures, it looks like for the most part the skin is intact, not broken or blistery, and that unaffected skin is healthy, not dry, scaly, etc?

His face has a sandpaper type rash, but nothing like this. He gets oily, rashy spots in front of his ears (on the side of his face). You can see that in one of the images. Sometimes he gets oozing blisters around his mouth, but not anytime recently.

His skin that is not affected is porcelain. He DOES have a few cracked, oozing spots behind his knees and on the back side of his heels.

He has oozing spots in his head that crusts over. Then he scratches it and his hair falls out. He was once bald (smooth, shiny head) with the exception of a mow hawk after being born with a full head of hair.