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This Question Is For Dr. Vaishalee Punj. Hello Dr. Per

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Posted on Sat, 2 Jul 2022
Question: This question is for Dr. Vaishalee Punj.

Hello Dr.

Per your recommendation, i've taken Tab Albendazole 400 mg 14 days ago. I notice significant reduction in the body itching, but it isn't still gone completely. And if I don't apply oil or moisturizer, it further increases. What next steps should I take?

Thankyou
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Stool analysis for ova and parasites

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

Do you have any skin rashes or dryness? If yes please upload photos.
Please get stool analysis for ova, cysts and parasites. This is needed to confirm any worm infestation. Also eat well-cooked food and drink cleaner water from RO system only. Avoid eating any meats/non-veg foods as they may carry parasites or eggs.

Regards
Dr Vaishalee

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaishalee Punj (2 days later)
Thankyou doctor.

I have rashes and marks all over my body due to the persistent itching over the last 3 years (attaching a picture as an example). My skin is usually dry.

For the stool analysis, is there a particular name of the test I should get done?

Thanks
Adisha
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (15 hours later)
Brief Answer:
This seems ichthyosis vulgaris mild type

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

This seems to be a mild ichthyosis vulgaris. It could be associated with atopy/allergy and maybe related to hardness of water. Drinking hard water may cause problems with digestion, worm infestation, skin problems etc. What is the source of your drinking water?

My suggestions as follows:
- Complete stool analysis + stool for ova, cysts and parasites
- After bath apply oil, thick cream or vaseline on whole body
- Use bathing products free of dyes, fragrances or other chemicals. Better to use natural products that mention natural or Tattva in the name or brand name
- Drink water from RO system with TDS less than 40
- Medicines/chemicals to be avoided

Get back with stool analysis report, so that I can assist better.
Regards
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaishalee Punj (2 days later)
Hello Doctor

The lab report is attached. Please let me know your findings from this.

My society provides RO water directly in our kitchen sink tap and has advised not to put an additional RO system. I have been told the TDS of this tap water is 30.

I am not on any medicines at this time, apart from taking Shelcal HD twice in a week.

What should I do next?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (15 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Reports are normal

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

The stool analysis is normal and there is no sign of any infection or inflammation including worms or cysts in the stools. So no need to take Albendazole further dose. Parasites are not a reason for your dry skin and itching. Next would be to find if there is any allergy that could be done with allergy testing (blood test) at an allergy testing laboratory. The cost would corelate with the number of allergens you want to be tested.
In allopathy, medicines like salicylic acid, coal tar etc are meant for a severe dry skin and may make things worse in mild case. You may test the water yourself with a TDS testing kit.
So I would recommend that you deal with it naturally. You may consult a naturopathic doctor for the same. Avoid chemicals and medicines as much as possible.

Regards
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaishalee Punj (2 hours later)
Thankyou Doctor.

How do I decide which allergens and how many should be tested? Is there a specific name of the test I can get done?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (34 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It is called allergy panel test

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

It is called allergy panel test. An example is as follows
https://www.srlworld.com/test/beas/0000/allergy-panel-3-19-allergens

More common allergens are pollen, dust, egg, wheat, fish/seafood, milk, peanuts, animal danders, sulfa drugs/penicillins. If a laboratory is willing to check specifically then it can save some money. However a detailed allergy panel will also help rule out some rare allergen.

Regards
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaishalee Punj (47 hours later)
Thankyou Dr.

Apollo Diagnostics has given me the attached list of tests. Which of these do you think I should get done, and how do I select what allergens to be tested?

I also wanted to share with you, 2 observations:

1. I feel less itchy in my legs if i am wearing clothes that cover the full leg. If I wear shorts, the itching is higher.
2. While I feel somewhat itchy throughout the day, I usually feel the itching getting escalated at night when I get into the bed.

Could these be any indications to the cause? Sometimes I feel these could just be an indications to the times when I notice the itching more as I am less busy, and scratch more, which makes me itch more, which forms an escalation loop.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (17 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Dry skin

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

Dry skin, when covered, will retain moisture and feel less itchy. So your symptoms are not so specific but may be related to dust or mites allergy.
Food usually presents with gastrointestinal symptoms like urticaria or other skin rash, vomiting, diarhea, stomach pain etc especially after eating a particular food.

If you want to save money, then start with dust panel.
Otherwise it could just be dry skin.

Regards
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaishalee Punj (3 days later)
Thankyou Dr.

One more question before I get the allergy test done. Let's say this turns out to be, in fact, a dust or mites allergy. Then is there a cure to this?

Also, two more observations:

1. Even if I have applied a lot of oil or cream just now, i still feel itchy. It's just a little less.
2. While the itching continues almost all over the body everyday, I see that the part of the body it impacts the most has its phases. For example, these days my lower abdomen, lower back and upper hips are impacted the most. Until a few weeks ago, it was the upper leg, thigh area. Sometimes, it is the entire back where escalations would happen, sometimes its lower leg. Sometimes it's arms.

Does that give any indication to the cause?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
It could be urticaria or atopic dermatitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

It could be urticaria or atopic dermatitis.
Urticaria is more commonly associated with a moving rash.
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is more commonly associated with dry skin and intense itching.
Both can be associated with allergens.
If its urticaria then testing for all or most allergens is recommended.

Management is mostly similar in both conditions. Avoiding the allergen definitely helps especially in urticaria.

Regards
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Vaishalee Punj

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 3269 Questions

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This Question Is For Dr. Vaishalee Punj. Hello Dr. Per

Brief Answer: Stool analysis for ova and parasites Detailed Answer: Hi again Do you have any skin rashes or dryness? If yes please upload photos. Please get stool analysis for ova, cysts and parasites. This is needed to confirm any worm infestation. Also eat well-cooked food and drink cleaner water from RO system only. Avoid eating any meats/non-veg foods as they may carry parasites or eggs. Regards Dr Vaishalee