Question:
4 Months Post Op, Rashes and Icthing, Advice Needed

I am 16 weeks post op, for about 5 weeks now I have been breaking out in itchy rashes all over my body. I have been through 2 courses of methalprednisone and was still breaking out and itching while taking the pills. Lab work seems to be ok including B12. Nothing seems to be helping or taking away the itch and rash. When one area clears up, another breaks out. I have changed my shampoo, bath soap and laundry soap. Anyone have any experience that is similar? What did you do? Please help me before I scratch my skin off my body!    — sherry H. (posted on April 21, 2003)

April 20, 2003
Dear Itchy, You can have a simple patch test done to test for allergies.I did and dixcovered that I am allergic to a few chemicals found in cosmetics and shampoos. I have tried many exspensive shampoos and conditioners only to find that Alberto VO5 is the better choice. It has the least amount of chemical ingredients. That is what you want to look for. As well as less perfumes and dyes. For washing I use Cetephil soapless cleanser and Cetephil moisturizer on my face. Dove has a sensitive skin formula soap I use this in the shower. I learned all this from my dermatologist. I also have an oil that I use on my scalp once a week. It helps keep the rash controled on scalp. If not it spreads down my face.Well I hope this helps. Oh By the way WalMart has their brand of soapless cleansers and moisturizers that are the same as cetephil and much less exspensive. Good Luck Becky
   — perpetualuv

April 21, 2003
I had the same problem so I started drinking more water and taking Vitmain E once a day and it went away completely! I hope this helps!
   — Tracy A.

April 21, 2003
Is the itching in one place or all over? Are you taking any new perscriptions or have any of your perscriptions changed to a generic? About a year ago my insurance changed one of my persriptions (non WLS related) to a generic version. There was something in the generic that made me break out in hives all over. I even had to go to the emergency to get a shot of epinephrine because my lips and face swelled up from the reaction. I was put on Prednisone for a few months until I finally figured out it was the generic drug.
   — Charla K.

April 21, 2003
I don't know what type of doctor you are visiting, but try an allergy specialist. They can help to isolate whatever is making you break out. I'm shocked that prednisone (I don't know what methalprednisone is..) is not working. Prednisone is a miracle drug and works wonders for allergies/rashes to knock it out of you, at least temporarily to get it under control.
   — Cindy R.

April 21, 2003
I've had periods of time with itchy rashes myself. I tried Benadryl, etc. but nothing worked. Could it be a reaction to any B-vitmains you're taking? I had accidentally doubled-up on my b-vits by accident shortly before I developed the rash, and it eventually went away after I went back to my normal vitmain regimen. Maybe you're taking too many B-vitamins?
   — Patricia E.