Shantell PowellSep 20, 2024
I've clued in that I'm experiencing another weird long COVID symptom. Since about February, I've had recurring itchy skin on the side of my left little finger. I had COVID in October. My finger gets so itchy that I've scratched the skin off before. It's often quite raw. Right now, it has a little blister from me scratching at it. I thought I was allergic to something at the gym and started wearing gloves. That helped for a bit, but it came back while I was traveling last month and it won't go away. It's driving me kinda bonkers. Not sure what I can put on it to make it stop itching. when I went to the doctor, he told me it was probably contact dermatitis, but why am I getting it in just that one small spot? At least it's not all over me. #LongCovid #LongCovid #ContactDermatitis #dermatitis #skin
Show threadLikely Jan LukasSep 20, 2024

@Shanmonster

Some common skin disorders that can cause blisters or itching can ALSO have an autoimmune version.

I don't know where you are in the world but if you can manage it, it could be worth a trip to a dermatologist. (Perhaps rheumatology as well, but I have ironically and genuinely found them less useful in managing my autoimmune disorders than other overlapping specialities).

Sorry you are going through this--maddening (not to mention painful)!

Show threadShantell PowellSep 20, 2024
@likelyjanlukas I'm in Canada. Guess it's worth another trip to the doctor. I do t hold out much hope for a referral to a dermatologist, though. I've been on a wait list for over a year to have a spot on my skin looked at, and that's with a history of basal cell carcinoma. I sure do hate the medical system now.
Show threadLikely Jan LukasSep 20, 2024

@Shanmonster

Oh, I hear you! It's awful out there, and I've already got decades of experience waiting months to see specialists.☚ī¸

The good news? You're already in the queue to see a specialist. When you do see them, insist on them checking this other issue as you are having a lot of tissue damage from it and thus increased risk of skin infections, etc.

1/2

Show threadLikely Jan LukasSep 20, 2024

@Shanmonster

And as always, if the first one isn't competent (for either), request a new appt with a diff doc (even though it means a long wait).

Imo the wait to get a good doc is well worth staying with a crappy one who *still* won't take time to do proper assessments, and perhaps be likewise sloppy with diagnoses and treatments.

(Again, I've experienced this often enough to believe it is not uncommon.)

2/2

Show threadLikely Jan Lukas

@Shanmonster

PS: And I'm not talking about how 'nice' the doc is or whatever, I'm talking about competence.

I'm currently dealing with a very tricky autoimmune problem that requires ongoing dermatology support.

First doc I saw was nice, but assumed my family doc didn't prescribe strong enough meds, wrote an Rx and waved farewell.

It was *exactly the same med and dose* my own doc had already tried and failed to solve the issue. 🙄

The wait for my current specialist was well worth it!

Sep 20, 2024 at 1:14amWeb