I'll try to make a very long story short. Dad is 84, Mom is 78. For most of 2014, Dad was in and out of hospitals and rehabs. He had prostate surgery last January that went very badly, followed by a small stroke, followed by two more prostate surgeries including corrective surgery. He spent some time in a rehab facility and recovered, although he never quite got back to 100%, but he was fine. In September, he had a knee replacement that went fairly well. Spent some time in rehab again and returned home. He's been doing OK, although recovery has been slow.
About 6 weeks ago, he broke out in a rash. It started on his stomach and has moved to his back and now it seems to be all over. He has seen 2 dermatologist and an allergist. He's had skin biopsies done twice with no obvious cause being found. He's been treated with topical ointments that help a little, but he's still itchy most of the day. He was taken off some heart meds (sorry, I don't know which) recently to see if that helped and it didn't. The allergist questioned him for literally over 2 hours and concluded that it was not being caused by an allergy. About two weeks ago, Mom started breaking out all over too. Hers seems to come in waves and looks somewhat hive-like and then subsides after an "attack" of itching as she calls it.
They have had their entire house checked for bugs of every kind including bed bugs. We are confident that there is no insect of any kind present. After being cleared by an expert exterminator, they went out and bought allergen barrier zippered bags and put them on their mattress and box spring. They haven't changed laundry detergents or soaps in years. They cook all their own food at home. They have no pets. They do have well water and have stopped drinking it in favor of bottled water. We are looking into having their water tested to see if there's something in it that might be irritating their skin when they shower. They've lived in their home for over 15 years and they've always had the same water source.
We and the doctors are baffled. I can think of a dozen reasons why my father might have a rash (many medications and antibiotics over the past year, possible weakened immune system, the new knee, etc.) We can't think of any reason why my mother would have a rash other than she is completely stressed out and has been for the past year. She didn't break out for at least a month after my father did. Does anyone have any ideas of what might be the cause?
Hmmm, shingles?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes_zoster
But I would think the docs would be able to easily dx that.
:(
It sounds like Shingles to me. Especially if they're both getting it. Allergies aren't shared.
This happened to my dad. And although my parents used the same detergent for years, it was the detergent and of all things dryer sheets. My mom had to switch to Tide Free detergent and completely stop using dryer sheets and completely clean out her dryer. My mother never got the rash, but she always had dry irritated skin, and she said making the switch helped her as well.
BTW, you could be my sister they way you described your parents. My parents are the same age as your parents, my father went through multiple operations, including a knee replacement, and multiple stays at a rehab.
Do they swim anywhere?
Is there fracking nearby that might be contaminating their water? They may not be drinking it, but they're still bathing with it.
I immediately thought "shingles" based on your description, but it seems if the doctors are stumped, it couldn't be that, because that would have been their first thought, too. I doubt anyone here will know if the doctors have done all that and don't know and we can't even see or interview them.
It sounds like hives to me. Hives can be caused by stress. Have they tried Benedryl?
Food? I'd start there.
Bless your poor folks' hearts. I feel so bad for them! It's really important that your dad get some relief before he ends up with dermititis that can turn septic. It's a very serious issue, Mom.
Oh - and like Theresa says, shingles? Has their regular doctor done a shingles test?
Thinking of you all...
Yikes, as if he hasn't been through enough.
He sounds allergic to life in general. What a crappy year of being in and out of hospital settings, corrective surgeries, etc :(
Have they tried taking a daily Claritin / Reactin type mild allergy pill for at least 2 weeks straight? That would be beneficial for their immune systems in general to help alleviate the itching and reduce the symptoms. If it helps, you know there is some allergen causing this. If it doesn't help, you've ruled out that there 's no allergen causing this.
I also vote they return to their well water. It's a well known fact that bottled water is higher in unhealthy microbes and given their current weakened immune systems, it might be enough to tip them over the edge.
I know you have seen several doctors but I keep thinking Shingles, has any doctor even mentioned that? I mean both your parents are of age and if they had Chicken Pox and didn't have the Shingles vaccine, it is possible. But if that isn't it, the fact that the rashes sound different, your moms comes and goes and your dad had his for a month before your mom broke out, it sounds as though you dad could be having an unknown reaction to one of the many medicines he's been on as you suggested and your mom is having a severe stress reaction to having her husband go through so many surgeries and not completely recovering, only to have him them suffer from an unknown rash for a month. When severely stressed, it is possible to break out in hives, which can come and go and can be severely itchy. I hope you can get to the bottom of this and release both of your parents. I also send prayers that your father has a better year and can hopefully recover more from his many surgeries.
Even if they haven't changed soaps, detergents, etc., in years, perhaps the soaps have changed. Sometimes manufacturers make little changes (a new scent, a new process) that can affect sensitive people, so I would suggest changing all their personal hygiene and laundry products to those for sensitive skin (no fragrances at all). And be sure to choose "fragrance free" over "unscented" because "unscented" can mean there's a scent or product added to mask scents.
Also, you state that the allergist questioned your dad. Did they do blood tests or skin tests for allergies? There's a simple blood test for 26 common allergens, and of course the skin tests are much more extensive.
Ask your parents' pharmacist if any of their regular meds have changed. Sometimes manufacturers change, or the formulas change, and the pill you've taken for years is now made by a different manufacturer, or with different inactive ingredients, although the main prescription medication remains the same. And sometimes generic prescriptions are suddenly substituted for name brand ones. I went to the pharmacist recently seeking info on a strange reaction my dd was having, and the pharmacist put me in touch with the manufacturer, who sent my call directly to their medical help person (a doctor). That person reviewed all the symptoms, the meds, and any reported similar incidences.
You also might look into the knee replacement manufacturer. Perhaps your dad is allergic to one of the metals or plastics (sorry, don't know what is in a knee replacement part). Look up knee replacements and allergic reactions, or contact the manufacturer of the replacement and ask about any similar reports.
Is the rash just on his skin, or is it deeper? A surface skin rash will "blanch" (turn white) when pressed, and then will return to its pink color. A deeper rash will not respond to being pressed (it won't blanch).
Get a list of his meds, type the name into google, and then type in "skin rash".
These are just a few of the things I can think of to try. I have a dd with serious multiple medical issues and I feel like I spend half my time looking up weird reactions and unexplainable stuff. She's severely allergic to quinoa and tumbleweeds and spinach, if you can believe that., so I sympathize with your frustration and encourage you in your search!
Have the doctors checked his auto immune system? Also, is he allergic to one of the components of his knee replacement? Has he developed an allergy to latex that might be in some medical device that he has at his house. Good luck.
Sounds stress related. They have been through so much the past year sound like they could really use a break.
My first thought was scabies, but the dermatologist should have found this. A quick google search will give you an idea what that looks like in most people. My MIL got it when she was in a group care facility, and the itching was unbearable to her. God bless you for trying to help them through such a tough time... I hope you find an answer soon!
