Skin Discoloration Archives

Tinea? (Or eczema)

My husband and I have been working as foster parents for a children's shelter for the last year now. We both are currently suffering from an itchy rash on the inside of our arms, near the wrists. My husband first started exhibiting signs of some skin irritation approximately 9 months ago. He got what appeared to be a callous in between the webbing of his thumb and index finger on his right hand. Later, he developed large, red raised patches on the inside of the same arm near his wrist. A doctor diagnosed this (by sight-with no tests) as a tinea infection. Since then, my husband was been on several Oral Antifungals (Fulcifulvin, Grifulvin, Lamisil) and has been treating his skin with various prescription and OTC creams and lotions (Oxistat, Lotrimin, Tinactin, etc.) I have also developed a rash, though mine is on the opposite arms as my husband's (leading me to believe it is contagious.) I also have small red itchy spots on my neck. Recently, our doctor said that we both have contact dermatitis, since the rash has not really responded to antifungals. We were prescibed Elidel. My question is: would we both be getting this reaction if it were contact dermatitis? It is important to mention that my husbands hands (especially between the fingers) look severely burned. They are bright red and scaly. Mine is less severe, but mine also just started. What do we have? What should we do about it?

Follow Ups:

• Re: Tinea? (Or eczema) Janie Phillips 13:52:17 10/04/03 (1)
  • Re: Tinea? (Or eczema) (or contact dermatitis) Archive in skin. Walt Stoll 07:15:52 10/05/03 (0)
• Re: Tinea? (Or eczema) Walt Stoll 06:29:23 9/18/03 (0)
• Re: Tinea? (Or eczema) Buzz 03:58:52 9/18/03 (0)

In Reply to: Tinea? (Or eczema) posted by Janie Philipps on September 17, 2003 at 18:10:11:

Hey Janie...Sounds like your up to your elbows with work at the childrens shelter. By the way, who washes all those dirty dishes? Your condition sounds like dish pan hands(contact dermatitis).You might want to change the dishwashing liguid your using and/or wear gloves.

In Reply to: Tinea? (Or eczema) posted by Janie Philipps on September 17, 2003 at 18:10:11:

Hi,Janie.

In my opinion, you need a much better doc. He is just guessing and hoping! I hope you are not paying him for this privilege :o). Buzz, without seeing either of you came closer than the doc.

I would have to see it and feel it to have any better idea.

From your history, shared here, I would begin using 1% hydrocortisone cream (OTC), sparingly & and rub in well, 3 times a day while avoiding as many chemicals and detergents as possible.

Let us know what is happening in about a week or so.

Walt

In Reply to: Tinea? (Or eczema) posted by Janie Philipps on September 17, 2003 at 18:10:11:

Finally....I think we have an answer to this one. My husband decided to stop taking Lamisil, for fear of the side effects. The affected areas got better at times and got worse at others, with no correlation to the anti-fungal treatments. He started to watch for possible irritants in his everyday life, and noticed that the dish soap he'd been using at work often splashed onto his wrists on the affected areas. He has since noticed that the spots get worse in any areas that get splashed. Thank you so much for your help!

I am now worried about the possible side effects of all the oral anti-fungals my husband was prescribed. He took Fulvicin (sp?) for approximately 2 weeks, Grifulvin for 5 weeks, and Lamisil for one month. The only side effect (that he noticed anyhow) was upset stomach with the Grifulvin. Are there any other side effects that we should watch for long-term?

I am frustrated to no end with the health care system that repeatedly prescribed drugs to my husband with no definitive diagnoses (no tests were ever conducted- he was just diagnosed by sight!)

Follow Ups:

• Re: Tinea? (Or eczema) (or contact dermatitis) Archive in skin. Walt Stoll 07:15:52 10/05/03 (0)

In Reply to: Re: Tinea? (Or eczema) posted by Janie Phillips on October 04, 2003 at 13:52:17:

Thanks, Janie.

Of course, you know that temporary relief of eczema (or any contact dermatitis) is best acomplished by using OTC 1% hydrocortisone about 3 times a day (used sparingly and rubbed in well). In the long run avoiding the inflammatory substance is needed. To prevent recurrence, looking to LGS is best.

Walt