So week 1 of the new prescription regime to step down the use of steroid creams had to be stopped mid way. The hydrocortesone was reacting to all parts of my skin, causing rashes. Additionally there was an area on my back where I had been applying both the fucibet and the hydrocortesone that seemed to make it worst.
It started with a stinging, burning sensation. The type of sensation that occurs when you have scratched yourself. I ignored it and went on a camping trip to South Wales to drag a tyre around the Brecon Beacons with a couple of 60 year olds.
3-4 days later some small blisters appeared. With eczema, it is not unusual to have blisters where some infection has occurred. Unfortunately the blisters continued to be sore and looked like they were spreading. They wept, became lumpy and ugly the more the steroid creams were applied. Thus stopped the application of steroid creams anywhere on my body as I thought there was a chemical reaction and now the same blisters were spreading onto my stomach. Really gross to touch (pic on right).
Two days later after the picture was taken, ran a 1/2 marathon. Felt tired, the pain on the back was bearable but completed the run even if it was a poor time. A friend who I'd shown the rash too said it looked similar to shingles (oh dear might have infected thousands as have been going into work)
Decided to drop into A&E (hospital) to get them to evaluate and give me an exact prognosis. L4 shingles it was! And yes the application of the steroid creams was making it worst. However by the time I had dropped into A&E the blisters had already dried out. Doc said I had only been infectious to those who did not have a vaccination against chicken pox or those who did not have chicken pox whilst the blisters were weeping. I could still go to work! Unfortunately as the virus was already on the way out there was nothing that could be done to ease the pain, and that it was possible that I could feel the pain for up to two months.
Doc recommended bathing in bath water with a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to reduce the intense itching and taking painkillers if the pain became unbearable.
Helping the Healing Process of Shingles
So having been told there was nothing that could be done, I of course did an internet search to find out about how to quickly reduce the post symptoms. Plenty of vitamin A, C and B to help nerve endings to be healed. So for the week I got through a 500g bag of baby carrots, a bag of
oranges and ate marmite sandwiches everyday.
I really don't know if that helped, but the pain was gone by the end of the week. So hopefully the nerve endings have been able to heal quickly.
As for running, well should have taken it easy as the virus could do further damage with a reduction in the immune system. So I have taken it easy otherwise my running buddies will give me an earful.
Got to find something else to eat!...might as well.
