Suggest Remedy For Rashes On Feet, Knees And Hands

Posted on Mon, 5 Oct 2015

Question: Hi I'm a 29 year old female. I'm 5'5 and 119 lbs. In the past year I have been getting rashes on my feet, knees, and hands after being in the sun. The rash lasts for weeks and itches like crazy. If I get a cut or scratch I end up with an itchy rash on the injured area once it is almost healed which prolongs the healing by weeks! The only way I can get rid of it is to use hydrocortisone cream on it and even then its hard to heal. I also started having Raynaud's phenomenon and lots of hair loss. I am fatigued easily and always have puffy tired eyes. I figured it might be hormonal and it would balance itself out. However, the sides of my hairline now have almost bald areas. Went to the doc finally and all my labs came back fine including the thyroid and rh factor. The only thing that came back out of range was low absolute monocytes, and low absolute eos? I'm extremely frustrated and I'm not someone who runs to the doc unless I feel its necessary. I don't not take any meds or supplements. I eat healthy, get good amounts of sleep, and I am active. Any ideas on what is causing this. You're help would be greatly appreciated.

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Hormones

Detailed Answer:
I am sorry to learn about your perplexing medical condition.

It is good your thyroid is apparently normal.

The low monos and dos are not a major concern unless the other cell lines are grossly abnormal.

It sounds like your menstrual cycles are regular because otherwise you would have likely informed us so.

When I see someone like you in my office, I order the following tests in addition to a thorough physical examination:

8 am (morning) serum Cortisol
Total testosterone
Androstenedione
DHEAS
Prolactin
25 hydroxy Vitamin D
HbA1c

There is an endocrine problem called Adrenal Insufficiency which the 8 am cortisol test will help rule out. Some of your symptoms are similar to this condition.
Some of the other tests are male hormone levels which when in excess can cause a certain of hair loss pattern.
The other tests will assist in getting a complete picture of hormone health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (22 minutes later)

Thank you so much! I will def have my doc check that out. She did check my vitamin d and that was fine. I appreciate you're time and help. Thank you again :)

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.

You will be best served by seeing an endocrinologist in-person, so as to be sure if there is any hormone-related problem

Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar