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Skin rashes and weeping sores

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Posted 4/13/2014 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
After years (probably 30 years) of misdiagnosis of my various symptoms, stroke, High Blood Pressure, Sleep Apnea, Skin issues, Arthritis, I was confirmed to have Lyme via a LLMD in March. Started antibiotics and am hopeful.

Wondering if anyone else has had skin problems (I have no memory of the typical bulls eye rash). Over the years, my skin randomly gets rashes on various parts of my body, my scalp has weeping sores sometimes and sometimes not. I am just learning about LD and have been scared, angry, sad and confused. Trying to pace myself with researching information. However, when I research for skin issues everything comes back to the bulls eye rash...I am beyond that point.

Anyone share information about skin rashes besides the bulls eye? Did your skin/sores get better or get relief from the antibiotics? Also, if it was Lyme causing my above symptoms, was anyone able to get off high blood pressure meds once the Lyme was treated?

Thanks for sharing any information!
Posted 4/13/2014 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
Mulligan2, welcome to the forum. I am glad that you found us.

High blood pressure: before being diagnosed with Lyme I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. I was placed on beta blockers (metoprolol, then Bystolic) for pressures that averaged about 85/145. because I was having so many strange symptoms at the time that I started the beta blockers, I blamed them on the beta blockers and so I tried multiple times to get off of them. Being that my blood pressure was never excessively high, I wasn't concerned about the consequences of getting off of them. The side effects were much, much worse. Getting off of beta blockers has been one of the worst experiences that I have dealt with. After many failed attempts I finally managed to get off of them after the third try. My blood pressure strangely enough normalized to 80/120 after a few weeks of stopping the medicine. This was even before I started treating my infections. Now I know that what I thought were side effects to the beta blockers was actually the symptoms of Lyme.

I should mention that because of the infection, I lost almost 50 lbs and I modified my diet to low fat meats and lots of vegatables, no gluten, no sugar, no alcohol, and no dairy. This probably improved my blood pressure as before the infection I drank 5-6 coke cans a day, ate red meat like there was no tomorrow, and basically had a very bad diet.

Skin problems: My TBD infections dried up my skin to where it was always flaking off. My face has always been greasy and that dried up. I suffer from an itchy skin and have sensitivity to bleach or perfumes.
also got these tiny red bulbs (1/32") all over my body. Strangely enough, I also have four moles, one in my left ankle, one in my right thigh, and two in my right arm that are about half an inch in diameter, dark brown and hard. I tried cutting them off but they always came back and it hurt a lot. Well, I have been taking Rifampin for a little over a month and my skin is now soft, my greasy forehead came back, and the moles have diminished in size and one is almost gone. All that is left is a scar from when I tried to cut it off.

Post Edited (Healing98) : 4/12/2014 8:10:40 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/13/2014 9:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mulligan,

Welcome to the forum!

I have had, for the whole length of me being sick (20years) something called Erythema Nodosum, an inflammation of the fat cells under the skin. It results in red nodules/lumps on lower legs (can also be higher up, or even on arms, but that is less common).

I also have very dry skin and atopic eczema. So I use no chemicals in the house, only natural cleaning products. I only use natural soap like Laurel Soap (Aleppo Soap) and natural/organic skin creams. If I use makeup, I use a brand which has no perfumes in it, no parabens. I can't tolerate perfumes, home perfumes or linen softeners (except for one hypoallergenic brand).

Other skin conditions I heard of are:

Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA), typical for European Lyme Disease. A progressive atrophy of the skin. http://www.dermis.net/dermisroot/en/35111/diagnose.htm

Then there is also Lichen Sclerosus. In recent years there has been renewed interest in a possible link with Borrelia, with antibodies to this bacteria found in more than a quarter of cases. It is a very annoying skin condition, often around genital/anal area. Hard to diagnose and often difficult to treat.
I had a link about this on the BBC site, but it's no longer available.

I read that you are quite new to LD, have you already gone through the thread on top of the Lyme page 'New to Lyme? .... Start here!'? It is packed with useful information about LD and coinfections: symptom lists, info about different treatments, detoxing methods, useful links, etc.

Please come on to the forum if you have any other questions, we will be happy to answer them!

MarieLS
Posted 4/13/2014 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Healing98 and MarieL,

I have been browsing a bit as I am trying to research more about LD. Still trying to process all the information about LD and what fits my situation. Currently, started on Minocyline this week then dr wants to introduce cefuroxime and tinidazole.

Just the Mino alone has made me feel weird. Had me wondering how long I have had this brain fog alone and been trying to function, know what I mean? Don't even want to think about adding the other antibiotics in the next coming weeks!

I will check out the skin info links. I did mention the ACA to my LLMD but she believes it not to be the case with me. However, like so many people have posted, LD is not black and white.

Thank you both for replying to my post as I am working on figuring out how to handle all this new found knowledge.
Posted 4/15/2014 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mulligan!

I have had many skin rashes during the two years I did not know I had Lyme and the past few years during treatment. I get them on my legs, hands, tummy and also head. Many of the rashes I noticed popped up if I was eating too much gluten but some happened during a med change. They range from red raised bumps that itch to white bumps on the skin. Some cause dry patches and some get worse when I itch them. The only and I mean ONLY thing that has worked for me is Pine Tar soap. You can buy it at most health food stores and I'll post a link below. They even have a shampoo that I use when the rash is in my hair.
http://www.amazon.com/GRANDPAS-BRANDS-Pine-Soap-Bath/dp/B00028LN1K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1397585044&sr=8-3&keywords=grandpa%27s+soap+pine+tar

It smells like campfire in your bathroom when you use it but will not linger on the skin once you get out of the shower. After about two-three showers using this and the rash is gone.
Good luck!
Posted 4/15/2014 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info Agent9er. How were you able to get your children tested? My LLMD isn't taking patients and I believe my 6.5 year old has this due to the last 5 years due to multiple health issues too! My primary dr is worthless at the moment and just really frustrated with the medical community regarding Lyme assistance. Thanks for the advice again!
Posted 4/15/2014 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
Mulligan,

My LLMD also treats children so after I found out I had Lyme we had her tested because there was nothing else to explain her health issues including seizures. My older daughter was born before I got bit and was totally healthy. We figured why not test to be safe and I'm glad we did. She is doing very well on treatment.

With my son, his cord blood was tested at the hospital, it was sent right to IgenX. My LLMD gave me a blood kit to give the dr that delivered my son and they did the rest and sent it off. It worked out well. Of course I did not get to breastfeed my son which was sad but I got a totally healthy and big boy.
Posted 4/15/2014 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Mulligan2. I'm sorry you have to deal with this infection too. There is a lot to learn, so take it slow so it doesn't overwhelm you. It can, speaking from experience.
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