In late February I noticed that my legs
were itchy at night. I spent most
evenings at my girlfriend's condo, and she
started to feel a little itchy, too.
Suspect #1 -- new laundry detergent. She
bought something different and my legs
were the only thing touching the sheets
under the covers. We switched to
hypoallergenic detergent.
But it kept spreading. The reaction and
itch were worse for me in heat and in
sunlight. Showering was intolerable -- my
skin would instantly react to the hot
water by breaking out in "hives" and
making me feel dizzy.
So I went to the doctor when things didn't
clear up. Who wants to guess the
diagnosis?
Contact dermatitis.
So I asked, "How could both my girlfriend
and I come down with dermatitis at the
same time?" No answer (she isn't allergic
to ANYTHING).
So they treat me aggressively with
steroids and tell me to stop using hair
gel and other products.
The steroids really do the trick -- no
itching at all. Unfortunately the
infestation just runs wild without
displaying symptoms.
The steroids run out, the itch comes back
worse. I *beg* for more steroids. Nights
are intolerable and the "dots" as I called
them have spread to my genitals, my
buttocks, and my inner thighs. It is a
nightmare to look at and just terrible to
endure.
My doctor does a punch biopsy. The
diagnosis?
Contact dermatitis.
I then contemplate getting rid of the cats
(which I love) and never using soap again.
The doctor gives me an injection of
steroids and tells me to go see an
allergist.
I go see the allergist and tell him my
story, but the steroid shot is masking the
problem. He asks me to come back the
following week and take a battery of
allergy tests. When I return the
following week and he can see the
nightmare that my body has become --
particularly the stomach -- he says, "You
have scabies."
I was mortified.
He prescribes Hydroxyzine for the itch and
a load of Permethrin for both myself and
my girlfriend.
At the same time my girlfriend sees the
old doctor they have on campus and he
immediately says, "You have scabies." She
gets prescribed Lindane.
After reading up on the scabicides we
decide to both go with the Permethrin
lotion as Lindane seemed more a
"second-line" or last resort. I applied
with one half of the tube and she used the
other.
At first I felt much better, then I
starting feeling bad again. I always felt
that something was moving on/in my flesh,
and at times I felt like pins were
pricking into my body. The itch became
less intense, but still present.
We both did a second dose of Permethrin at
the one week mark. Afterward we still
showed signs of having scabies -- "dots"
both new and old and itching.
I went back to the allergist. He said I
looked much better, but he wanted me to
try a few more treatments of Permethrin.
My girlfriend decided to do the Lindane
last night and today she says she feels
completely better.
Tonight will be my third treatment of
Permethrin in a month. I am hopeful.
Then I read these forums and people have
this for years at a time. I feel like
crying.
So far I have spent around $300 on medical
bills and treatments. My girlfriend paid
a whopping $150 for the Lindane.
Reinfestation is my biggest worry. I look
at everything with suspicion, from board
games to my computer keyboard. I wash
everything over and over, drying multiple
times. I have avoided driving for three
days to keep away from my car. I vacuum
constantly.
The effects of this ordeal have been
devastating. I can't believe that my
relationship has endured. We haven't
slept together in a month. We've only
been dating for five.
