A rash?

[Patty M]

I have read the lessons section several times and may have over looked information about this rash that my brother has had for a little while now. His doctor wants to send him to a dermatologist and he will get there when his new insurance starts, at first the docs diagnosed him as being alergic to the Bactrim that he had been taking to keep the pnuemonia from recurring, my brother is newly diagnosed with full blown aids and seems to be doing much better now that he is on meds. I certainly wish he had internet service and hopefully will have soon but he has a rash in the areas of his back, groin, penis, butt, stomach, chest, and it seems to move around. It is itchy and starts off looking like a splotch of pimples that burst and small amounts of puss are emitted and then they scab over and heal. We are still learning lots about his disease and I know you guys have helped me a lot already and I told him I would come here and ask about your experience with this situation. My brother is feeling a little uncomfortable with his doc whom has even changed his meds some, his counts are doing real good down to 145,00 from 750,000 viral and back to 293 Tcells so he is responding well to the meds at least until they were changed. He is still nauseous a lot and am wondering if he is always going to be. He has only been on meds for a couple of months, I know that from what I read here that he will be okay and actually already is, he is coming here to California for a few months to stay with my family, something that would never have happened until he got sick so I am so looking forward to that. He will be coming out here in October and staying through all of the holidays, it has been many years since we have been together for the holidays. I am not looking for a diagnosis just some experience that you might have had with this rash and what is might be caused from. I know staph is a bothersome thing and I am hoping that this is not that.  Thank you for your time. I appreciate all of you. Patty Mhttp://

[Matty the Damned]

Hey Patty,

When my CD4 cells where really low a while back, I developed a pimple like rash which produced small amounts of pus too. My doctor told me it was bacterial foliculitis and prescribed an anti-septic shower wash which cleared it up. Once my CD4's rose about about 100 it went away.

It really needs to be looked at by a doctor to ensure it's not the fearsome Staph Aureus type (golden staph).

Regards,

MtD

[Patty M]

Matty don't you think his infectious disease doctor would be able to tell if it is staph without sending him to a dermatologist? I am a little concerned because my brothers insurance won't be effective for a couple of more weeks and am a little disappointed that the doc didn't do something other than send my brother to the dermatologist. Thanks for the response. Patty M

[thunter34]

Patty,

That doesn't sound like staph to me.  To the best of my knowledge, staph isn't itchy- it's painful.  Very painful.  Has he been switched off the Bactrim?  I would imagine so, but if not, he needs to get on Dapsone instead.  If for some reason that also wouldn't be an option, he could try a pentamidine treatment.  Either of these are also used to prevent PCP (which is what I imagine the Bactrim is being used for).  I don't know what his insurance situation is, but this doesn't sound like something that can wait very long.  You also mention that his doctor has changed his meds some.  I don't know from what to what based on your description.  I had a major itchy and splotchy reaction to Bactrim and got switched to Dapsone (I also took the pentamidine treatment for a month in between).  Neither of the other two options gave me any problems like the Bactrim did.  The Bactrim also gave me nausea.  As I said before, I don't know what other meds he was taking and has been switched to or when that changed happened.

In any case, I can't diagnose.  The nausea from the HIV meds should eventually go away.  If not, he will likely need to be on a different regimen.

This is among the toughest times with this disease for many.  It was for me.  Your body is not just battling the HIV, it is getting hammered chemically by an onslaught of different concoctions.  

I hope this helps some.  Others will add more advice soon, I am sure.

Matty, are there staphs that are NOT painful?

[jessem3s]

During my seroconversion I got a rash but it was flaky.
They determined it was a seroconversion illness related rash.

Nothing to crazy it ran up from my thigh to my tummy on the left hand side.
My doctor told me to try to go to the beach and use Salt water since alot of rashes go away with Salt water.

He also said to stay away from the sun (I ignored that because I had just paid 100.00 for a month membership at the tanning salon).

Rashes are common things and your CD4's sometimes have to do with it.
In my case it went away 2months after having it. My skin looked shiny/flaky but it was nothing more than a rash. They rulled out all possible skin disorders.
I would keep posted and ask your doc and if it looked anything like mine moisture helped!!! Clinique has great lotions/creams.

[thunter34]

I would add to avoid prolonged sun exposure during this time.  Bactrim, for one, can have a drastic reaction to sun exposure.

[Matty the Damned]

Matty, are there staphs that are NOT painful?

Good save, Youth Pastor Tim! Matty the Damned missed the reference to it being itchy. Staph infections are generally painful, but it may not always be the case.

The important thing here is that the rash is examined by a doctor. A rash that oozes pus or produces pustules needs medical attention.

I would keep posted and ask your doc and if it looked anything like mine moisture helped!!! Clinique has great lotions/creams.

I would add that putting over the counter moisturisers and other such frippery on an inflamed and infected rash is a very bad idea.

MtD

/edited for an addition/

[thunter34]

Upon rereading your post, it does sound a bit more like folliculitis.  Like Matty, I've had that also.

[Jerry71]

If he is on Bactrim now he could be getting an allergic reaction. I was on Bactrim at first and also developed a rash and got taken off and was put on Mepron.

[Patty M]

Thank you for the quick replys and I can't wait to talk to my brother and share what you have shared with me. The insurance situation will be resolved the first of September and it can't come quick enough. I appreciate this site and you all sharing so freely every time I post here I get weepy from the love and compation and willingness to help that you so graciously give to me.  I know the bactrim has been changed, I will ask him about the other meds that have been changed as well. I thought if the aids meds were working that it might not be a good idea to mess with them and it appears that they are working and maybe I misunderstood but the doc changed them as well. I was talking to him via cell phone and working at the same time so I didn't write down what he told me, the implications of the changes didn't sink in until I was driving home earlier tonight, we have a two hour time difference and he is surely sleeping right now.  Once again thank you. Patty M

[J.R.E.]

Hello Patty,

Must be coincidental !! I was just thinking of you the other day, reading some of the older posts, and I was wondering how your brother was doing, so I am glad you got back in touch with us !!

Make sure that when your brother gets to the dermatologist, that he mentions to the doctor, all the meds that he is on,and anything that he may have just discontinued. As others have already stated, it can be difficult for us to determine, exactly what this rash is related to. Hopefully the doctor and the dermatologist, can reach a decision on this.

Everyone of us is different, when it comes to our bodies handling these powerful medications, and that also includes the antibiotics. I don't remember if you told me whether you brother was on Zithromax, but that is also powerful little drug, which can bring on some nausea. I was on that for a while, and stuck it out, but it did it's job very well. That one was a tough one for me to handle.

I think Thunter said it well when he stated the following :

"This is among the toughest times with this disease for many.  It was for me.  Your body is not just battling the HIV, it is getting hammered chemically by an onslaught of different concoctions."



Also as far as Bactrim goes ( even though he's off it now,...there is a desensitization protocol for administering Bactrim. ( It's actually given in smaller doses, and is eventually increased) I would assume your brother is probably on Dapsone. If your brother is on Dapsone, that can also cause a rash in some people. I am sure the doctors will get things sorted out soon for your brother, just tell your brother to hang in there, and if the rash worsens, I would definitely seek medical attention for that !!
Did the doctor rule out shingles. Shingles can be common, and in some cases can really knock one off his/her feet. Anytime I ever had any kind of rashes, Calamine lotion is what always gave me the best relief. Unless your brothers doctor says that calamine lotion should not be used, I would give it a try. I have also used it on shingles. It get to be a little messy at times, but it's soothing. Should be gently applied to the rash with cotton balls ( just gently, dap/pat it on ) You would surprised what the body can do under stress, if your brother is under stress, this also plays havoc with the body. So if possible, tell him not to stress out, just try to relax as best he can. He probably needs to take cooler showers or baths, using a very mild soap. Perhaps even a baby shampoo, for washing down.

His t-cells are doing great !! I am sure they will continue to rise !!


It's also great, that he's going out to California. I really believe this trip to California will do him good !! It will do both you good.




Take care of yourself------Ray

Edited for typo's

[Dachshund]

Hey Patty,
Always remember that no one onsite can be a substitute for your brother's doctor. Some newly diagnosed tend to confuse personal anecdotes with diagnosis and we can't diagnose over the internet. I will just echo two pieces of advice that were already given to you. If and when he is on Bactrim he should stay out of the sun/tanningbooth, no matter how much he paid for a membership, and perfumed lotions should be cleared by his doctor before application. You are a very cool and loving sister and that my friend will be the best medicine he receives.

[J.R.E.]

Just a little info on calamine lotion, should the doctor approve. I don't see why the doctor should not approve it, if it shows to be beneficial :

http://www.drugs.com/cdi/calamine-lotion.html



Ray