Scratch my rash.

October 2, 2009 11:56 AM

Erythema annulare centrifugum...

...sounds like the Latin motto of a fancy college, but is in fact a skin disease that, according to my dermatologist, is what is causing the periodic rashes on my upper thighs.

The good news is that I can now give a name to my previously mysterious and incredibly painful itching and swelling. The bad news is that a name doesn't mean a cure: they don't seem to know much about the underlying causes or have any treatment other than topical (generally steroidal) creams to reduce the itching and swelling when it comes up. First-round googling doesn't help much, and I'm not getting far with the medical literature.

Recognizing of course that YANMD, I ask you, fellow mf-ites, especially those who might be someone else's doctor, if you have any experience or suggestions that might point me towards a longer-term cure or relief.

posted by anonymous to health & fitness (3 comments total)

I'm assuming you've read the wiki page that gives the translation of the name, so you'll not be surprised to know that it's not exactly a disease, as such. It's one of those medical terms that really means 'buggered if we know'. I have a joint related 'buggered if we know' disease, and the best that you can usually hope for is symptomatic relief.

The only possibly helpful thing I can think of is to keep a diary of what you're doing, where you are, what you're eating - on the offchance that there's something in the environment that's setting off the reaction. It might not be externally triggered, which means that this might not come up with anything.

Sorry to be such a downer.
posted by Coobeastie at 1:40 PM on October 2

My understanding is that EAC can be associated with other under-lying conditions, so it might be worthwhile making sure that the presence of those conditions has been conclusively excluded. Because some of those conditions are hormone-linked, it might be worth consulting with an endocrinologist to check that everything's OK with your thyroid, adrenals, pituitary gland, reproductive hormones, etc.

Like many poorly understood conditions, this one seems to be one which spawns a ton of quack "cures", so my best advice would be to do your due diligence before trying any of the alternative remedies out there. While most are simply ineffective, there's always the occasional one which has the potential to cause harm.
posted by Lolie at 1:48 PM on October 2

This is different but similar. I noticed on the Wiki page for this that Vit D is noted as one of the things that may have influence on the condition. Of course, they didn't say what role. My DD#1 suffered from eczema from the time she was an infant. We finally found a doc who prescribed something that worked: 25 mg of Vit C per 10 lb of body weight in addition to the cortisone cream. Worked for years, with her only breaking out under extreme stress or periods when she thought she didn't need it anymore and stopped taking the Vit C. Not bad for someone who had had about 25% of her body covered in eczema.

Perhaps a Vit D supplement is worth a try. The NIH site says Vit D can relieve inflammation. I wouldn't take more than the daily recommended, but, given most people don't get enough Vit D, it might be worth a try.
posted by x46 at 3:13 PM on October 2