[55M] Experiencing chronic skin irritations and lesions
Patient Description
A 55-year-old male has been experiencing skin irritations and lesions on his chest, scalp, and neck for many years, with the condition on his chest persisting for approximately 2.5 years. The lesions are described as large red bumps with dry, scaly skin on top, and are sometimes slightly painful. They have well-defined edges and are not symmetrically distributed, with about five lesions currently on the chest near the sternum. Relief has been found using argan oil and mineral oil with 1% hydrocortisone. The patient also reports stiffness and pain in his fingers but has healthy nails and no signs of sudden worsening or infection of the skin lesions. The patient takes a daily magnesium supplement and occasionally experiences hay fever but has no other known pre-existing conditions, chronic illnesses, or medication allergies.
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Arora's Assessment
What might be happening
Based on your symptoms, the most likely diagnosis is:
- Psoriasis: This is a common skin condition that speeds up the life cycle of skin cells. It causes cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin, forming scales and red patches that are sometimes painful. Psoriasis is a chronic disease that often comes and goes. The main goal of treatment is to stop the skin cells from growing so quickly.
- Treatment of psoriasis typically involves topical treatments, light therapy, and systemic medications.
Another possible diagnosis is:
- Seborrheic Dermatitis: This is a common skin condition that mainly affects your scalp. It causes scaly patches, red skin, and stubborn dandruff. Seborrheic dermatitis can also affect oily areas of the body, such as the face, sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears, eyelids, and chest.
- Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis often involves medicated shampoos, creams, and lotions.
What you can do
While waiting for a formal assessment from a healthcare professional, you can:
- Avoid scratching or picking at the lesions as this can lead to infection or worsening of the condition.
- Continue using the argan oil and mineral oil with 1% hydrocortisone if they provide relief.
- Try to identify any triggers that may worsen your condition, such as stress, certain foods, or alcohol.
- Keep your skin moisturized. Dry skin can worsen psoriasis.
What you should look out for
You should seek immediate medical attention if:
- Your skin becomes extremely painful or if the lesions spread rapidly.
- You develop a fever or other signs of infection, such as increased redness, warmth, swelling, or pus from the lesions.
- The condition is causing significant distress or is interfering with your daily activities.
Please remember that this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider for appropriate examination, testing, and care recommendations.
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11 mo ago