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GRAVY! fun eczema lesson!!! 2003-03-03 — 9:36 p.m. |
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Who wants to learn about dyshydrotic hand eczema? All of you? Oh good! Pompholyx is a common type of eczema affecting the hands (cheiropompholyx), and sometimes the feet (pedopompholyx). It is also known as dyshidrotic eczema or vesicular eczema of the hands and/or feet. The exact cause is not known. The condition may be mild with only a little peeling, or very severe with big blisters and cracks which prevent work. The first (acute) stage shows tiny blisters (vesicles) deep in the skin, associated with itching and a burning feeling. The later and more chronic stage shows more peeling, cracking, or crusting. Some patients will have mostly one stage, and some patients will have mostly the other. Some times both stages occur at the same time. Secondary infection with staphylococcal bacteria is not infrequent. The result is pain, redness, swelling and crusting or pustules. MMM BOY!!!! Wanna see pictures? Of course you do!! Go here: http://health.discovery.com/diseasesandcond/encyclopedia/3176.html That's what my hands look like!!! So i went to Student Health Services today. Man, now i know Ursinus was a small school and all, but the student health services at UNC is bigger than i think every building at UC put together. I am not exaggerating. And there are actual doctors there. And a pharmacy built right in. It's CRAZY. Anyhoo, my doctor was really really nice to me. She told me that i probably should have come in a while ago, because i am getting into a "danger zone" where i would be a prime target for staph infection. NO FUN! She gave me a topical steroid ointment that is so strong that i'm not supposed to get it on my face or other sensitive areas. You can actually overdose on this stuff by using it more than twice a day. Nuts!! Overdosing on ointment?? WOAH! I'm also supposed to wear white cotton gloves at all times, so Genevieve is in Permanant Magician Mode! And get this: I AM NOT ALLOWED TO WASH DISHES. You read me right. Thank God i have a dishwasher up in here. I would go freaking crazy. But wait, get THIS: I AM NOT ALLOWED TO TOUCH SHAMPOO. S H A M P O O. SHAMPOO!!!!!!! My favorite non-edible substance ever!!!! How distressing!!! I almost cried when she told me. Seriously. I have to use plastic gloves (at least for the first week) when i shower. And hand washing is OUT OF THE QUESTION. So i wear cotton gloves 24/7, put on plastic gloves to shower, and now, latex gloves when i have to use the bathroom. (that is my own innovation). If for any reason i get my hands wet, i have to slather them in vaseline and put on fresh cotton gloves. This is freaking insane!!! Washing dishes, touching shampoo, and keeping my hands clean are essential to who i am!!! Well, it could be worse, and i'm thankful that it's not, and i'm thankful for having such a nice doctor and the invention of steroid cream and cotton, latex, and plastic gloves. I am also thankful for not having been at tonight's STAR thing, if what i have heard about it is indeed true. UGH. UGH!!!! For the love of humanity! |
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