Today I saw another GP, this time he actually used to specialise in dermatology, so some knowledge here about what my condition might possibly be. We had a good long chat and he said the rash could have been triggered by a virus and asked me if I’d had a virus around that time in November / December and I showed him the wart that I’d been trying to freeze off with a kit I’d bought from the local pharmacy between the thumb and forefinger of my left hand.
“Yep, it could be that. I’ll freeze it off for you now,” and so he did. It stung a bit, but you know, it’s worth it if it’s actively causing the rash. I’m getting a bit desperate as the rash is still spreading slowly and implacably. It’s in my face too now.
He prescribed 30mg of Prednisolone steroid with a tapering off off by 5mg every few days after the first week, and discussed the dangers of using steroids but that he really thought they’d help in a case like this. I was a little wary, but extremely happy this was getting some attention now. I’ve since been researching the use of steroids and see that yes, they’re very potent and VERY dangerous for long term use, and that this was quite a high dose and should start to shift things. Of course I found out that it didn’t, but it did seem to completely arrest any further development while I was talking them right down to 5mg, but then when I tapered and stopped after about 3-4 weeks, the slow progression started up again.
That information was filed away in my brain for later use.
He told me to come back in two weeks and that he’d refer me to the local hospital, which he did.
Great! Progress!
