Paging Dr. Hive!! Any thoughts on what this could be? Update #1

[mlktwins]

My dad has a rash on his legs and arms.  It looks different on his arms than his legs.  I’ve started him on Benadryl this evening.

It is not on his chest or back.  He is complaining of itching, but the caregiver last night said it was hurting him also.

Any thoughts?

ETA:  I could only get a video visit with his GP, but I sent in these pics too.  She believes it is Vasculitis.  She is prescribing oral steroids to start tomorrow morning and go for 6 days.  If it doesn't clear up, I am to bring him in for bloodwork and also call for an appointment with the dermatologist.  Since we have an appt with the vascular specialist in a couple of hours, the GP also wanted me to ask him what his thoughts are.  Dad should have relief from the itching within 24 hours of taking the first dose.

Edited February 7, 2022 by mlktwins

[BlsdMama]

My guess:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21636-petechiae

Problem? Lots of potential causes.

[Corraleno]

This might be a possibility: https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/altc/articles/what-rash-elderly-long-term-care-resident 

[kbutton]

Folliculitis
Drug sensitivity

 

[prairiewindmomma]

Those look like petechiae. I would be looking for a video doctor appointment tomorrow and I wouldn’t be surprised if they want to run labs—CBC and CMP.

[alisoncooks]

30 minutes ago, prairiewindmomma said:

Those look like petechiae. I would be looking for a video doctor appointment tomorrow and I wouldn’t be surprised if they want to run labs—CBC and CMP.

This. DH would get these when something was wonky with his blood numbers (certain counts too low, etc).

[matrips]

3 minutes ago, alisoncooks said:

This. DH would get these when something was wonky with his blood numbers (certain counts too low, etc).

But I thought the link said petechiea was not itchy, and her dad says his rash itches.

[EKS]

I was going to say petechiae, but the itching and pain thing would seem to contradict that.  If he were my father, I'd be strongly encouraging a visit to the doctor.

[KeriJ]

Post covid rash?

[prairiewindmomma]

I know they aren’t supposed to be itchy/painful but in our lived experience, the non-chemo induced ones have almost always been that way. I attribute it to strain on the liver. 🤷‍♀️
 

Either way, at his age, that’s a see a dr within 24 hours thing.

[TechWife]

I have a lot of thoughts - I’m adding my voice to the chorus that this is a doctor visit or telemedicine if that’s all he can do. There are a lot of things that can cause this and some can be quite serious. 

[popmom]

Just a suggestion having been through elder care…could be cellulitis?? 
 

Definitely needs to be evaluated by a doctor.

Edited February 6, 2022 by popmom

[mlktwins]

Op here.  Would this warrant an urgent care visit and being around “sick” people (which I am really, really trying to avoid) or could it wait until Monday morning?  He also has an appt Monday afternoon for an ultrasound of his ankle and immediate follow-up with the vascular doctor.  Would that suffice?  Would they want him to come in?

He has literally had one thing after another since July.  Many appts.  Lots of antibiotics.  We were finally getting caught up on his appts after tomorrow.  Was hoping for a little calm for a bit.  Of course something new needs to happen.  No rest for the weary

.

[Ottakee]

2 hours ago, mlktwins said:

Op here.  Would this warrant an urgent care visit and being around “sick” people (which I am really, really trying to avoid) or could it wait until Monday morning?  He also has an appt Monday afternoon for an ultrasound of his ankle and immediate follow-up with the vascular doctor.  Would that suffice?  Would they want him to come in?

He has literally had one thing after another since July.  Many appts.  Lots of antibiotics.  We were finally getting caught up on his appts after tomorrow.  Was hoping for a little calm for a bit.  Of course something new needs to happen.  No rest for the weary

.

Is he currently or very recently; n am antibiotic?  Could be allergy to it.

[Junie]

Especially looking at the rash on his legs -- could it just be very, very dry skin?  I get similar rashes when I shower too often in the winter.

[Katy]

You probably need some labs ordered by a doctor. If there’s a non-covid urgent care near you I’d take him today, or if he’s already being treated for something call his doctor. 

[TechWife]

2 hours ago, mlktwins said:

Op here.  Would this warrant an urgent care visit and being around “sick” people (which I am really, really trying to avoid) or could it wait until Monday morning?  He also has an appt Monday afternoon for an ultrasound of his ankle and immediate follow-up with the vascular doctor.  Would that suffice?  Would they want him to come in?

He has literally had one thing after another since July.  Many appts.  Lots of antibiotics.  We were finally getting caught up on his appts after tomorrow.  Was hoping for a little calm for a bit.  Of course something new needs to happen.  No rest for the weary

 

Is there an on call doctor for his primary care or his vascular care doctor that you can contact to ask these questions? It’s a really good reason to call on a weekend, TBH. 

[Spryte]

Any news? Just checking in.

Thinking of you!

[Kebo]

Is he taking any of the following medications?

• Antibacterial sulfa drugs.
• Anti-epileptic drugs, including phenytoin (Dilantin®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®), lamotrigine (Lamictal®), and phenobarbital (Luminal®).
• Allopurinol (Aloprim®, Zyloprim®), a drug used to treat gout and kidney stones.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including piroxicam (Feldene®), nevirapine (Viramune®), and diclofenac (Cambia®, Flector®).
• Antibiotics.

These could trigger Stevens-Johnson, which is an urgent problem that needs to be addressed right away.  

[mlktwins]

39 minutes ago, Kebo said:

Is he taking any of the following medications?

• Antibacterial sulfa drugs.
• Anti-epileptic drugs, including phenytoin (Dilantin®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®), lamotrigine (Lamictal®), and phenobarbital (Luminal®).
• Allopurinol (Aloprim®, Zyloprim®), a drug used to treat gout and kidney stones.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including piroxicam (Feldene®), nevirapine (Viramune®), and diclofenac (Cambia®, Flector®).
• Antibiotics.

These could trigger Stevens-Johnson, which is an urgent problem that needs to be addressed right away.  

No to all of these currently.  He had a one dose antibiotic on January 20th when he had an endoscopy of his bladder.

[history-fan]

shingles?

[mlktwins]

Just now, history-fan said:

shingles?

He had the one dose shingles shot a long time ago and the newer double shot a few years ago.  Maybe, but I don’t think so.

[popmom]

2 hours ago, Kebo said:

Is he taking any of the following medications?

• Antibacterial sulfa drugs.
• Anti-epileptic drugs, including phenytoin (Dilantin®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®), lamotrigine (Lamictal®), and phenobarbital (Luminal®).
• Allopurinol (Aloprim®, Zyloprim®), a drug used to treat gout and kidney stones.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including piroxicam (Feldene®), nevirapine (Viramune®), and diclofenac (Cambia®, Flector®).
• Antibiotics.

These could trigger Stevens-Johnson, which is an urgent problem that needs to be addressed right away.  

I was just going to say this. That’s an ER visit. I hope y’all are okay today. 

Edited February 6, 2022 by popmom

[Jaybee]

4 hours ago, history-fan said:

shingles?

Shingles would be on one side, and in one area of the body, not bilateral.

[Melissa in Australia]

Measles

[mlktwins]

Thank you everyone for your advice and good thoughts!

I did not take him in today.  His general practitioner group doesn't have an on-call line.  Just a way to reserve a spot at an urgent care.  I was not willing to take him to our urgent care for this. 

He is not complaining of his itching as much today.  No fever, sore throat, or anything.  He just itches.  

We currently have an appt with the vascular specialist tomorrow at 3:30.  I am calling first thing to see if they even want him to come in with the rash.  My hope is that we go in and that doctor can see him and order labs or point us in the right direction.  If not, I will call his GP to get him seen - either a telemed or in person visit.  His doctor is right across the street from his apartment building.

He has not taken any new medicines.  He has not changed any soaps or detergents. I don't believe he has eaten any new foods. 

The arm rash looks very different from the leg rash.  It is so strange.

I will update tomorrow when I know what is going on.

Thank you all so much for the advice and info shared!  Super helpful!
 

[mlktwins]

Update:  I could only get a video visit with his GP, but I sent in these pics too.  She believes it is Vasculitis.  She is prescribing oral steroids to start tomorrow morning and go for 6 days.  If it doesn't clear up, I am to bring him in for bloodwork and also call for an appointment with the dermatologist.  Since we have an appt with the vascular specialist in a couple of hours, the GP also wanted me to ask him what his thoughts are.  Dad should have relief from the itching within 24 hours of taking the first dose.

[Spryte]

I hope this helps him quickly!