Rash from neuropathy?
 

I've got a very uncomfortable rash that only affects the area of my neuropathy. Its red and raised, and becomes very painful and itchy in the evening. Strangely enough I had the same rash exactly one year ago (pretty much to the day). I haven't started any new meds recently.

In the evening it looks like I'm wearing bright red socks.

I'm diabetic and have been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy via ncv/emg. The assumption is that its diabetes related. Mine came on extremely suddenly about a year and a half ago. I have a couple of small numb spots on the bottom of one foot. However the pain/jolting/burning is spread over the classical sock pattern and can be excruciating.

I've not heard of a rash being a symptom of neuropathy so I'm asking here.

Thanks!

-k

Three weeks ago, I had these red blotty rashes in my legs and a few in my arms. I googled for "skin rash" and came up with several pictures. One picture was called "dermatitis herpetiformis" related to celiac. Though mine did not look like herpetiformis, but just to make sure i asked my doctor for a test for celiac/gluten sensitivity.

You might want to consider this....

Hope you feel better.

That's exactly what my rash looked as well. Will also have a blood test for celiac as it looked exactly like the red itchy spots of a typical celiac.

But when bread , which l have lately, l generally feel better and have more energy which makes me think that l may not be celiac.

Sue:)

Is it possible--
 

-that it is a shingles rash, which would, of course, be associated with nerve pain?

Can you post a photo?.... that would really help.

Shingles gets ugly, typically. And Dermatitis herpetiformis typically is very very itchy.
Shingles:
http://www.google.com/search?q=shing...w=1280&bih=811
Shingles often has black centers in each papule as it heals.

Dermatitis herpetiformis:
http://www.google.com/search?q=derma...w=1280&bih=811

The scratching of this rash can make a scabby appearance over time.


Just redness may be erythromelalgia:
http://www.google.com/search?q=derma...w=1280&bih=811

There are rashes with RSD however.

And I wonder if there is just "redness" with no papules?
Real rashes have raised bumps, and these may be tiny and run together (like measles)... The papules for shingles are much larger. Sometimes with PN, there is poor circulation, so the feet or hands turn a bit white or pale. When the circulation returns to normal, there is a redness which even may get purplish, as the blood returns. That is when the tingling and/or burning start. It is like frostbite, which hurts when it warms up.

This jumps out to me as significant; possibly environmental or an allergen.
Anything else in common with this previous episode, e.g. were you doing the same thing just beforehand, visiting same location, any other kind of exposure?

What do you do for a living/recreation near the times this occurred?

I just googled: peripheral neuropathy rash and found a lot of possibilities.
Here is one list from a symptom checker, which I'd take witha grain of salt at first glance. A lot can likely be eliminated quickly, and anything left may have already been eliminated by your doctors, but you might keep checking other sites for clues to discuss with your docs...
http://symptoms.rightdiagnosis.com/c...y/rash-all.htm

Doc

[QUOTE=mrsD;870068]Can you post a photo?.... that would really help.

Shingles gets ugly, typically. And Dermatitis herpetiformis typically is very very itchy
...

Tried to post a picture when I started the thread - apparently I don't have enough posts :(

I've been tested for celiac, probably 7 or 8 years ago.

Shingles would be interesting, suggesting a possible cause for the neuropathy unrelated to the diabetes - is that right? Might also explain the sudden onset of the neuropathy last year.

Gonna try to see my doctor today. I'll let you know.

Thanks for all the input!

-k

It is not common for shingles to present on the feet. It is possible but not common.

There are photos on the RSD forum of various discolorations on
the legs and other parts of the body ...

Here is a link to their photo thread. Some of the photos are dramatic and others less so. Many involve the feet so you can compare.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread16167.html

This is an example of redness possible:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post111021-3.html
It looks like a rash but is really slightly different:

This one is redness in a stocking pattern like you describe here:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post82906-8.html

So do take a look at the thread when you can, as it might help you with diagnosis. RSD is often not accurately diagnosed, and it can be more severe than PN and present very differently.

Well, the doctor thinks its a reaction between HCTZ and the sun. Guess it makes some sense given that it follows the pattern of the sunburn. Not quite convinced but stopping the HCTZ for the time being. That was 2 days ago and I haven't seen any improvement. He said to give it a week so that's what I'll do.

-k

Photo sensitivity may last a long time. Weeks in fact.

I had a patient once who was taking a sulfa based antibiotic for prostate problems, and he went into a tanning salon... he was very ill for a very long time. Diuretics have a sulfonamide base, but they are less reactive than the sulfonamide antibiotics. Once sensitized by a drug you may become allergic to all drugs with sulfonamide bases from now on.

If you take diuretics you can be depleted in B1 and magnesium. They affect these two nutrients severely. I assume you are watching your potassium?

Photosensitivity may spread in rare instances becoming Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Any worsening of your rash should be immediately seen by a doctor.

Sunburn reactions often respond to ibuprofen. Did your doctor give that to you?