Question: Hi,

I have itchy, dry, somewhat raised white patches (fairly small) that started around 1 ankle several months ago. Last week, they spread to the other ankle, tops of both feet and the lower legs. I caught hand, foot and mouth virus from my grandson about 2 months ago, with high fever and mouth/throat sores, but no rash anywhere else. Could the aftereffects of that virus be causing the current spread of the pre-existing white patches on the ankles, feet and legs? Alternatively, I was staying with family last week and there was a cat in the house. I am allergic to cats but took antihistamines all week and had no typical nose, eye or throat allergic symptoms, but perhaps the exposure to the cat aggravated the pre-existing skin condition on my ankles? Thanks for any help you can offer.

Dr XXXXXXX

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, the itchiness is spreading. I now have rather hot, mildly burning itching on my hands, arms, head, etc., although I do not see the same dry, round, raised white patches that I still have on my ankles, tops of feet and legs. Also, those white patches do not have any redness or oozing liquid, which I understand is typical of with excema. Finally, I have not been exposed to the cat now for 3 days, but the condition is worsening, although I have been taking a daily oral antihistamine the whole time .

When the white patches spread and worsened I was on vacation, and had travelled from my home in Canada to California, returning back to Canada 3 days ago.

Is it possible that I perhaps have a mild virus/other condition which I picked up on the trip, (possibly on the plane or on the beach) aggravated by exposure to the cat, sleep deprivation, etc. (I was helping care for a newborn baby and a toddler while in California), and my immune system is simply reacting with the skin problem? Perhaps if I catch up on my rest, etc., this might go away?

I have already tried the hydrocortisone cream on my feet and legs, and it does not seem to help. Also, now that I am itchy over most of my body, it will be very difficult to put the cream everywhere, including under the hair on my head.

Thanks for any additional insights you may be able to provide.