about 4 weeks ago i noticed a red, unraised rash area under my left breast. it was oval shaped, didnt itch, wasnt scaly, and looked just like some type of contact rash. i figured it was from a bra that irritated the skin. i left it alone, thinking it would go away... a week or so later, it was still there, and along side of it was another few oval shaped spots... again, no symptoms, so i left it alone. last week i noticed my entire trunk was covered with these spots. my back, my abdomen, my flank, and above my butt. i then finally decided then it was time to get it looked at. i spoke with a PA friend of mine at work who used to work for a dermatologist office, she thought it was ringworm... so she prescribed me a cream, i got it right away and applied. where the heck did i get ringworm and why doesnt it itch were my first thoughts. how can it be i've had this for almost 4 weeks and no one else in the house has come down with spots as ringworm is super contagious.
at the same time, i've also been battling a sinus infection for about 3 to 4 weeks now. started off typical for me, stuffy nose, discharge, no symptoms otherwise, no fever, or sore throat. it then settled into my chest after three weeks and i decided to go to the MD for treatment. while there, i had her look at my rash. come to find out, its not ringworm, but a viral rash called pityriasis rosea.
http://www.skinsight.com/adult/pityriasisRosea.htm. this rash is caused by a virus, typically comes on after the onset of a cold, and takes 6 weeks to 6 months to go away. there is no treatment. generally occurs once in life and hits people aged 10-35. go figure. no long term sequelae, however, one of the biggest side effects is chronic fatigue syndrome. i had noticed about a month ago that i had lost any interest of doing much besides lounging and watching movies. i slept a lot... now i know why. this rash has halted any desire to lose weight, exercise or socialize with the outside world.
its been pretty miserable dealing with a sinus infection, the daily stressors of a full time career, a hectic kid schedule and the fatigue associated with this rash. somedays it overwhelms me. this week alone i have been leaving work as early as i can, just to come home to rest. some days are better than others. today i feel good... tomorrow, well, we will see then.
i wish life wasnt so difficult and i could just get a break....
