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What Causes Blisters On Left Breast, Itching And Tingling Sensation Throughout Body?
Question: Hello Doctor,
My mother has itching all over her body, scratching has lead to clear fluids filed blisters mainly on her left breast (She is breast cancer survivor), Itching increases at night. Her History is: she is breast cancer survivor, Diabetic type 11, neuropathy in her feet.. She was prescribed prednisone. Her itching has not resolved, severe itching and tingling in her feet and hands (Neuropathy) . Advise/Suggestion is appreciated.
My mother has itching all over her body, scratching has lead to clear fluids filed blisters mainly on her left breast (She is breast cancer survivor), Itching increases at night. Her History is: she is breast cancer survivor, Diabetic type 11, neuropathy in her feet.. She was prescribed prednisone. Her itching has not resolved, severe itching and tingling in her feet and hands (Neuropathy) . Advise/Suggestion is appreciated.
Brief Answer:
scabies is most likely possibility
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome to Healthcaremagic.com.
I have read your query.
I understand your concern for your mother.
As per details, the most likely possibility for the symptoms you mentioned is a condition of skin called Scabies.
It is an infection caused by Sarcoptes scabei var hominis. It is characterised by fluid filled lesions or excoriations or red colored raised bumps specifically involving finger web spaces, breasts, axilla, periumbilical area, thighs.
The itch characteristically aggravates in night. Usually face is spared in adults.
Your symptoms aptly fits into this condition.
In such cases, I prefer to advise topical permethrin cream to apply fron neck to toe once overnight application.
Antihistaminics like levocetrizine also help for symptomatic relief.
You should visit your doctor so that he can examine her and give you prescription.
You can share my opinion with him.
I hope it helps.
Stay healthy.
scabies is most likely possibility
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome to Healthcaremagic.com.
I have read your query.
I understand your concern for your mother.
As per details, the most likely possibility for the symptoms you mentioned is a condition of skin called Scabies.
It is an infection caused by Sarcoptes scabei var hominis. It is characterised by fluid filled lesions or excoriations or red colored raised bumps specifically involving finger web spaces, breasts, axilla, periumbilical area, thighs.
The itch characteristically aggravates in night. Usually face is spared in adults.
Your symptoms aptly fits into this condition.
In such cases, I prefer to advise topical permethrin cream to apply fron neck to toe once overnight application.
Antihistaminics like levocetrizine also help for symptomatic relief.
You should visit your doctor so that he can examine her and give you prescription.
You can share my opinion with him.
I hope it helps.
Stay healthy.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Dr. Bansal,
She has been seen by the Derm and allergy dept. They ruled out scabies. They are diagnosing it as "Dry Skin". Itching is all over and not in creases. Doctor mention that her skin is burned. Which is not making any sense to me. We have applied every topical you can think of. No new detergents used at home. Itching is through out the day however, its like attack at night. With Prednisone it has been reverse. She is losing her appetite.
My biggest worry is that could this be related to Cancer? Her recent blood work levels:
Complement C3-117
Complement C4-27
Could this be idiopathic shingles??
Brief Answer:
shingles is unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome back.
I want to know how scabies was ruled out by the doctors. It is a clinical diagnosis.
Shingles presents as grouped vesicles on erythematous base in a dermatome.
It is associated with burning sensation most of the times.
You mentioned that she is breast cancer survivor. I guess surgical excision must have been done of the affected area.
However if still in doubt, mammography can be done to look for any evidence of recurrence of cancer.
In cases where clinically diagnosis is not made, skin biopsy is done to look for the possible differentails.
Kindly reply to my question.
Thanks
shingles is unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome back.
I want to know how scabies was ruled out by the doctors. It is a clinical diagnosis.
Shingles presents as grouped vesicles on erythematous base in a dermatome.
It is associated with burning sensation most of the times.
You mentioned that she is breast cancer survivor. I guess surgical excision must have been done of the affected area.
However if still in doubt, mammography can be done to look for any evidence of recurrence of cancer.
In cases where clinically diagnosis is not made, skin biopsy is done to look for the possible differentails.
Kindly reply to my question.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
I was told that all the Doctors did was a visual exam to rule out scabies. She continues to state that itching is severe at night. Wakes her out of sleep. Taking hot showers helps. There is burning sensation at site. Blisters are on neck, breast, back, hands, and feet. Do you think possibly it is scabies or shingles.
As per scabies none of the family members have contracted.
As per Shingles we have children in the house and no one has contracted.
Last mammogram was negative done 6 months ago. She had lumpectomy on her left breast 3-4 years ago.
Her thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are as follows:
April,5 2010 2.87
March,8 2012 4.77
March,16 2015 5.16 XXXXXXX 4 2015 2.54
Dr. Bansal,
can you recommend any treatment which I can purchase from XXXXXXX
any antiviral, and topicals ointments.
Thanks,
As per scabies none of the family members have contracted.
As per Shingles we have children in the house and no one has contracted.
Last mammogram was negative done 6 months ago. She had lumpectomy on her left breast 3-4 years ago.
Her thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are as follows:
April,5 2010 2.87
March,8 2012 4.77
March,16 2015 5.16 XXXXXXX 4 2015 2.54
Dr. Bansal,
can you recommend any treatment which I can purchase from XXXXXXX
any antiviral, and topicals ointments.
Thanks,
Brief Answer:
it seems to be scabies to me
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome back.
To be very sure, it is not zoster. Zoster has a short acute history and is limited to dermatome. Even If it disseminates , history is not so long.
I still feel it to be scabies. In such cases, I prefer to advise topical permethrin lotion to be applied from neck to toe once overnight application. In addition, tab ivermectol is also advised. You may need prescription to get it from the pharmacy. We doctors here can give you advice but cannot provide you prescription.
You can share my opinion with your treating doctor.
I hope it helps.
Take care.
it seems to be scabies to me
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome back.
To be very sure, it is not zoster. Zoster has a short acute history and is limited to dermatome. Even If it disseminates , history is not so long.
I still feel it to be scabies. In such cases, I prefer to advise topical permethrin lotion to be applied from neck to toe once overnight application. In addition, tab ivermectol is also advised. You may need prescription to get it from the pharmacy. We doctors here can give you advice but cannot provide you prescription.
You can share my opinion with your treating doctor.
I hope it helps.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
bullous pemphigoid and treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome back.
This Is good that that the final diagnosis is made.
Bullous pemphigoid is characterised by fluid filled lesions which are larger in size better known as blister. These are more common in diabetics old aged people.
The confirmation is done by skin biopsy and immunofluorescence assays.
I guess the tests were done.
Various treatment modalities are available including topical steroids with oral tetracycline and niacinamide. If severe, consideration is given to start oral steroids.
Bit in diabetic patients , oral steroids are preferably avoided.
Antihistaminics like levocetrizine are very helpful in control of itch.
if you have any further query, you may ask me.
Stay healthy.
bullous pemphigoid and treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome back.
This Is good that that the final diagnosis is made.
Bullous pemphigoid is characterised by fluid filled lesions which are larger in size better known as blister. These are more common in diabetics old aged people.
The confirmation is done by skin biopsy and immunofluorescence assays.
I guess the tests were done.
Various treatment modalities are available including topical steroids with oral tetracycline and niacinamide. If severe, consideration is given to start oral steroids.
Bit in diabetic patients , oral steroids are preferably avoided.
Antihistaminics like levocetrizine are very helpful in control of itch.
if you have any further query, you may ask me.
Stay healthy.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Doctor,
Should I be worried. I hear its life threatening.
Any home remedies and/or teachings you can provide us is helpful.
What about to increase her immune system.
Brief Answer:
it is not life threatening
Detailed Answer:
Do not worry. Various treatment modalities are available for Bullous pemphigoid. It can be easily controlled by using medications .
In most of the cases, it is localized tonone or few areas. It is not a life threatening disease. Just follow your doctor's advise and regularly visit your doctor as per his instructions.
Avoid pricking the blister. She should apply an antibiotic cream with topical steroid over the blisters.
She should take healthy food and avoid oily fatty food.
Avoid scratching the skin . Rather she should put lots of moisturiser over body.
I hope i am able to solve your query.
Take care.
it is not life threatening
Detailed Answer:
Do not worry. Various treatment modalities are available for Bullous pemphigoid. It can be easily controlled by using medications .
In most of the cases, it is localized tonone or few areas. It is not a life threatening disease. Just follow your doctor's advise and regularly visit your doctor as per his instructions.
Avoid pricking the blister. She should apply an antibiotic cream with topical steroid over the blisters.
She should take healthy food and avoid oily fatty food.
Avoid scratching the skin . Rather she should put lots of moisturiser over body.
I hope i am able to solve your query.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
It really itches at night. How can we help with that. she has a low immune system (history of breast CA, lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation). Therefore I am guessing this condition will flare up easily. Only treatment I see is prednisone which will effect her diabetes and neuropathy.
Any other medication that might help her with fewer side effects to worry about.
How does this condition effects the heart? As she is compliant of feeling tired/fatigue.
Brief Answer:
Bullous pemphigoid and its treatment
Detailed Answer:
I totally understand your concern for your mother.
In patients of Bullous pemphigoid with Diabetes Mellitus, I prefer to advise oral XXXXXXX pulse of steroids like methylprednisolone which is given only twice in a week. It has relatively fewer side effects. Once disease activity is under control, other steroid sparing drugs are given like Azathioprine/ cyclosporine/ Mycophenolate mofetil.
These can be safely given for longer time.
Secondly Bullous pemphigoid is usually a mild disease. It gets easily controlled most of the times even with only topicals.
For excess itch in night, she may take other sedating antihistaminics like Hydroxyzine.
The condition does not affect heart.
You should discuss this with your doctor.
I hope it helps.
You may ask me further in case you have any doubts.
Good luck.
Bullous pemphigoid and its treatment
Detailed Answer:
I totally understand your concern for your mother.
In patients of Bullous pemphigoid with Diabetes Mellitus, I prefer to advise oral XXXXXXX pulse of steroids like methylprednisolone which is given only twice in a week. It has relatively fewer side effects. Once disease activity is under control, other steroid sparing drugs are given like Azathioprine/ cyclosporine/ Mycophenolate mofetil.
These can be safely given for longer time.
Secondly Bullous pemphigoid is usually a mild disease. It gets easily controlled most of the times even with only topicals.
For excess itch in night, she may take other sedating antihistaminics like Hydroxyzine.
The condition does not affect heart.
You should discuss this with your doctor.
I hope it helps.
You may ask me further in case you have any doubts.
Good luck.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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