We're just on our way to ECFE, or "sool" (for school) as Maida calls it, but I wanted to quick update everyone on Maida...
I called another dermatologist yesterday who we got a second opinion from in June. He is a younger guy than our regular dermatologist and, personally, I liked him a lot better than our regular guy. I had to leave a message and stated in the message that I had been waiting for Dr. Holm (our reg derm) to call me back for three weeks. Dr. Evanson (the new guy)'s nurse called me right back and said that they could see us in a week! I am so excited about this because usually the wait to get into a dermatologist is just horrendous. Prayers were answered!
To update you on what we know about Maida's rash right now... Maida actually has a series of rashes. The rash that you see in the picture and video from last post is Molluscum Contagiosm. It is a virus and usually isn't treated in children because the treatments are painful and can cause scaring. There are less painful options of treatment out there, but they aren't as successful. Usually doctors chose to not treat Molluscum because it will go away on its own, however that can take from two to five years to go away. In the meantime, the rash is VERY contagious and also causes a lower immune system, which causes eczema to set in. So, Maida has eczema too. She has also been diagnosed with Atpoic Dermatitis, which I believe is why she was potty trained at 16 months! She gets bad rashes from her diapers and from the potty or poopy touching her bottom. Maida also has an unexplainable rash that comes and goes every so often and no body has been able to put a finger on what it might be. She had some allergy testing done and isn't allergic to anything, however, I don't think that doesn't mean she can't be sensitive to certain things, like fragrances. Even when she was baby, we'd notice that if someone with a lot of perfume on would hold her, she would rash up right away. Since switching to fragrance free laundry detergent, wipes, and diapers, that rash has gone down significantly (we love Seventh Generation!!!).
Our dermatologist appointment is next Thursday and our main goal then is going to be the treatment of the Molluscum Contagiosum. I believe that this will solve some of our problems, as hopefully it will take some of the eczema away, but mostly it will settle our worries about Skogen getting the Molluscum when he comes! I know it will make her a lot more comfortable too. Thanks for all the prayers! I will update more on her rash after the appointment.
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I am glad you guys will hopefully get some answers soon! Do you worry about her exposing her contagious rash to all of her friends at school? Good luck on this long journey!
ReplyDeleteHeidi,
ReplyDeleteI don't worry about her spreading the rash at school because the rash is only contagious under two conditions...
1) skin to skin contact (a child would have to touch a molluscum)
2) the molluscum that is touched would have to be broken open and either have the root exposed or fluid leaking from it.
I keep the rash covered at school (it's only on her belly, back, arm pits, arms, and butt), so there is no possibility of a child touching it. Also, it's not very often that one breaks open, and if it does, there is only seconds (until the fluid dries) that it is contagious. Also, adults are immune to it, and children with normal immune systems. If a child has a compromised immune system, though, they are more susceptible to it. The reason why it spreads so fast on Maida’s body is because the eczema itches, so when she scratches it, she scratches off a molluscum and the fluid gets on her fingers, then she touches other body parts and spreads the virus.
The only place I'm afraid that we could spread it is in swimming lessons because there are reports that claim that molluscum can be spread in swimming pools.
That's good! It was stink for her to not be able to go to school an play with friends! Dan and Brendan both have eczema... they have a terrible time with it so I feel really bad for Maida having the other rash too :( Dan scratches it in his sleep and wakes up with it all broken open and bleeding. I pray that you guys get some answers or at least a DR that makes a huge attempt at finding some! Good luck Kara! How is the baby bump going?
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