Greetings Ebp123,
One of the things your rash sounds like is contact dermatitis, a
skin allergy. Anything you are allergic to or is irritating to your
skin can cause a contact dermatitis. It would be helpful to know what
kind of medicine you were taking. Was it prednisone/cortisone ointment
or tablets? An antibiotic? Did the doctor suspect an infection? It?s
possible it began as a dermatitis and became infected from scratching.
Bromine is contained in most fire retardant products. Perhaps this is
what is irritating your skin.
?Many substances produce a nonallergic inflammatory reaction. Examples
of irritants include acids, alkalis, metal salts, bromine, chlorine
(commonly used in hot tubs and swimming pools), hydrocarbons, and
harsh soaps or detergents. Soaps and detergents are the most common
causes of an irritant reaction, but patients may develop an allergic
reaction to perfumes, dyes, lanolin, deodorants, or antiperspirants.
Some plants may cause an irritant dermatitis. The history must include
exposure to these products.?
http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic2569.htm
Were you exposed to the FRH before you were deployed as well? If so,
it probably is contact dermatitis, with a secondary infection. If you
don?t have water to bathe in, at least try to wash your arms with
tepid water, and a very mild soap. Ask the medics or dispensary if
they have some Burrow?s Solution in which to soak your arm. Surely
your medics have access to a cortisone ointment. If not, they may have
some Neosporin or some other kind of triple antibiotic ointment you
can use to clear up any infection. Do your best to keep the hydraulic
fluid away from your arms. Perhaps you can cover your rash with
bandages and some Coban, a stretchy self stick wrapping, and wear a
long sleeve shirt while working with FRH. (Ask your Medics). You need
to keep the fluid away from your arm while working. Take the bandage
off when you sleep.
?Allergic contact dermatitis associated with the workplace develops in
stages. There is a period during which an individual may be
continually in contact with allergenic substances without developing
any skin reaction. This can last a lifetime or only a few days. The
allergenic action of a substance depends on its ability to change some
properties of the outer layer of the skin. This layer acts as a
protective barrier against toxic substances. Some substances can
remove fats, oils and water from the outer layer of the skin. These
substances diminish the protective action of the skin and make it
easier for substances to penetrate the skin.
The skin allergy really begins with a process called sensitization. It
starts with the penetration of allergenic substances into the outer
layer of the skin. The process lasts from four days to three weeks.
During this period there are no signs of skin damage.
Once penetrated, the allergenic substance combines with natural skin
proteins. The combination formed by the allergenic substance and skin
proteins is then carried throughout the body by white blood cells
called lymphocytes.?
?The most common factors contributing to the development of allergic
contact dermatitis are pre-existing skin conditions such as irritant
contact dermatitis (see CCOHS publication Irritant Contact
Dermatitis). Cuts or scratches, into which allergenic substances can
enter, also contribute to the development of allergic contact
dermatitis. The chemical nature of the substance is important (for
example, whether it is an acid, an alkali, or a salt), as are the
amount and concentration that comes into contact with the skin, and
the length and frequency of the exposure.
Important individual factors include the resistance of the skin, which
increases with age. Hereditary factors influence the variety of
reactions in different persons exposed to the same allergen.
Environmental factors play a significant role. For example, hot
workplaces cause sweating, which can dissolve some types of industrial
chemical powders, increasing their toxicity for the skin. But sweating
may also provide a protective function because it may dilute or "wash
out" substances. Dry air can cause chapping of the skin, increasing
the possibility of allergies.?
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/allergic_derm.html
?Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction that occurs after you have been
exposed to a substance that either irritates your skin or triggers an
allergic response. If your skin condition is caused by contact with
an irritating or harsh substance, you have primary irritant contact
dermatitis. If your skin condition is an allergic reaction to a
substance, you have allergic contact dermatitis. The symptoms and
treatment of both types of contact dermatitis are similar.
Fluid-filled bumps or blisters, tenderness and redness of the skin
often occur with contact dermatitis. You may also notice oozing
cracks or fissures in the reddened, irritated skin areas. Usually,
these symptoms will occur only in the areas that actually came into
contact with the irritant or allergen. The affected areas will
probably itch and burn.?
·?If the irritated areas itch, apply cool, damp compresses. Do not scratch them.
·Avoid hot water. Decrease the number of showers and baths you take.
·Avoid soaps, detergents and overheated rooms.
·If dryness of your irritated areas is a problem, use a low alcohol
content "unscented" emollient (i.e., Aquaphor, Eucerin, Vaseline or
Acid Mantle).
·DO NOT put alcohol or antiseptic lotions on your lesions.
·If your medical practitioner recommends a corticosteroid cream, use
only the amount prescribed (more is not better).
·If your medical practitioner prescribes oral steroids (i.e.,
Prednisone), take your daily dose exactly as prescribed.
http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/health-info/dis-cond/commdis/contderm.html
The above article suggests you try a patch test. Ask your medics the
best way to do this, or try rubbing a small amount of the FRH on an
unexposed part of your skin, such as your abdomen or upper back. Cover
it with a bandage and check it after several hours to see if you react
to the fluid.
?Initial treatment includes thorough washing with lots of water to
remove any trace of the irritant that may remain on the skin. Further
exposure to known irritants or allergens should be avoided.
In some cases, the best treatment is to do nothing to the area.
Topical corticosteroid medications may reduce inflammation. Carefully
adhere to instructions when using topical steroids because overuse of
these medications, even low-strength over-the-counter topical
steroids, may cause a troublesome skin condition. In severe cases,
systemic corticosteroids may be needed to reduce inflammation. These
are usually tapered gradually over about 12 days to prevent recurrence
of the rash.
Wet dressings and soothing, antipruritic (anti-itch), or drying
lotions may be recommended to reduce other symptoms.?
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000869.htm#Treatment
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000869.htm
o ?Removal of offending agent
o Topical soaks with cool tap water, Burow solution (1:40 dilution),
saline (1 tsp/pint), or silver nitrate solution (25.5%)
o Lukewarm water baths (antipruritic)
o Aveeno (oatmeal) baths
o Emollients (eg, white petrolatum, Eucerin) may benefit chronic cases.
http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic131.htm
· ?Removal of the contactant: In acute irritant dermatitis, the first
goal must be to prevent further damage by removal of the irritant.
Immediately rinse the site of both acid and alkali burns with large
quantities of water. Acid burns can be treated with weak alkali
solutions, such as sodium bicarbonate or soap solutions. Following
irrigation, alkalis, such as soaps, detergents, bleaches, ammonia
preparations, lye, drain pipe cleaners, and toilet bowl and oven
cleansers, may be buffered by rinsing the skin with a weak acid
solution, such as vinegar or lemon juice. Alkalis cause tissue
destruction by dissolving keratin. Oral and topical steroid therapies
are of no benefit in irritant contact dermatitis. Thoroughly wash skin
exposed to significant allergens, such as poison ivy, and remove and
wash contaminated clothing. Patients may be able to minimize or
eliminate allergic contact dermatitis if the skin is adequately washed
as soon as possible following exposure.
· Topical nonsteroidal therapy
o Many cases of localized mild contact dermatitis respond well to cool
compresses and adequate wound care. Cool wet soaks applied for 5-10
minutes followed by air-drying may reduce serous drainage
significantly from the site. Clean water, isotonic sodium chloride
solution, and Burow solution all can be used with good success.
Application of topical Calamine usually is of minimal benefit.
o Gently clear the loose crusts from the affected sites and apply a
thin coat of Vaseline ointment or antibacterial ointment. Most
episodes of contact dermatitis do not require antibiotic therapy if
treated promptly and if adequate wound care can be provided. Secondary
infection usually takes at least 2-3 days to develop. Initial yellow
crusts are simply dried serum from ruptured bullous lesions. If a
significant degree of purulent material is present, a wound culture
may be performed and oral antibiotics may be of benefit. Adequate
coverage for staphylococci and streptococci can usually be achieved
with a 5- to 10-day course of erythromycin, dicloxacillin, or a
cephalosporin.
· Steroids
o Low-strength topical steroids, such as hydrocortisone, may be
effective in decreasing inflammation and symptoms associated with very
mild contact dermatitis in infants, but they are useless as therapy
for significant areas of allergic contact dermatitis. Potent topical
steroids, such as clobetasol propionate (Temovate) or betamethasone
dipropionate (Diprolene) applied twice daily for 1-2 weeks, are
effective for treating small areas of moderate allergic contact
dermatitis.
o Systemic steroids are the mainstay of therapy in acute episodes of
severe extensive allergic contact dermatitis. Without therapy, an
episode of rhus dermatitis may be expected to persist up to 3-4 weeks.
Early adequate use of prednisone can shorten this course
significantly. The duration of prednisone therapy generally is 7-10
days, but severe episodes of allergic contact dermatitis may recur
when therapy is stopped, thus, an additional few days of systemic
therapy may be required. In otherwise healthy individuals, a tapering
dose of prednisone is not required for short courses of systemic
therapy (7-10 d). In adolescents and adults, an alternative to oral
therapy is a single IM dose of 4 mg (1 cc) of betamethasone sodium
phosphate (Celestone) mixed with 40-60 mg of triamcinolone (Kenalog).
This provides rapid onset and prolonged action over 2-4 weeks.?
http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic2569.htm
Barrier creams are a good idea if you can?t avoid working with FRH.
?Gojo barrier lotion appeared to give the best protection in this case.?
http://www.abdn.ac.uk/~oem148/Parkinson%20and%20Cherrie%202001.hti
GoJo and other kinds of barrier creams are available here:
http://www.mfasco.com/index.php/safety/barrier-creams-hand-cleaners/cPath/50_397?SID
The non-prescription product below may be very helpful to you. See if
you can order this sent to your APO. (Maybe some of the British troops
there have some on hand!)
?DermaGuard helps protect the skin from materials that can sensitise
the skin and cause allergic reactions. These may include, hydraulic
fluids, oils, sealants, coolants and fuels. DermaGuard, by preventing
these materials from penetrating the skin, also greatly facilitates
the clean up and removal of these materials from the skin.?
http://www.dermaguard.com/industry.html
I hope this answer has helped! If any part of this answer is unclear,
please ask for an Answer Clarification, before rating, and I will be
happy to respond.
Thank you for serving and take care!
How is the internet connection there in Iraq? Do you have internet
access most of the time?
Sincerely, Crabcakes
Search Terms
=============
Contact dermatitis |
