# Part 3 in a Series: Broomstick Has A Skin Infection **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 9, 2010, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/part-3-in-a-series-broomstick-has-a-skin-infection/524239 "2010-01-09T02:40:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/part-3-in-a-series-broomstick-has-a-skin-infection/524239/21 "2010-01-12T00:43:20Z")
Yes, it’s the same cheek as before, but not the exact same spot. I had a regularly scheduled check up with the doc this week anyway, so he said to be sure to come in, as he wants to make sure the infection is really gone. So I’m going back Wednesday. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/part-3-in-a-series-broomstick-has-a-skin-infection/524239/22 "2010-01-12T03:22:14Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > As I said, I saw a specialist for quite some time. The present situation is as good as it gets. Well, OK, I could go on long-term steroids, but after several years there are all those side effects like cataracts, osteoporosis, diabetes… > > I appreciate people trying to help, but I’ve been to doctors all my life over my allergies, including the skin manifestations. It’s a matter of balancing the risk of infection with the risk of serious side effects. The problem can be managed, but it can’t be fixed. I’m very glad you’re okay, just wanted to chime in to say you’re wise to be wary of the long term effects of steroids. My family has psoriasis (I “lucked” out and got vitiligo instead) but it’s all a matter of control with so many skin ailments, not cure. I had a very excited young Physician’s Assistant tell me last week that we could ‘clear up’ all of my vitiligo - so he thought, so the treatment should, with the minor cost of $150/week for 12 weeks plus a 30 minute drive each way and the possibility it doesn’t work much. :rolleyes: Thanks, but no thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/part-3-in-a-series-broomstick-has-a-skin-infection/524239/23 "2010-01-12T03:42:09Z")
The Keflex you are taking may be ‘generic’, but just so you know it’s kind of a full-body antibiotic, and you shouldn’t be surprised that it’s wiping you out. That’s pretty normal; a captain’s medical chest on a commercial boat will carry lots of it, cause it’s what they use when the antibiotics simply MUST work. So, don’t take that as a bad thing, just ride it out. Also, stock up on the yogurt and such; your alimentary antibodies are taking a pounding, so you’ll want to replenish a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/part-3-in-a-series-broomstick-has-a-skin-infection/524239/24 "2010-01-12T14:21:18Z")
> [@Taomist](#): > > The Keflex you are taking may be ‘generic’, but just so you know it’s kind of a full-body antibiotic, and you shouldn’t be surprised that it’s wiping you out. I’m well aware that any generic medication is just as much potent ju-ju as any brand name. It’s rather sad how many people seem to think something generic is less potent or somehow watered down. > [@](#): > > Also, stock up on the yogurt and such; your alimentary antibodies are taking a pounding, so you’ll want to replenish a bit. Ugh. Yogurt. In 2007 I went an entire week without eating, I still couldn’t choke down yogurt, the stuff is _that vile_ to me. Fortunately, one does not have to rely on rotted dairy products 😛 these days, you can get probiotics in capsules. Although I am not showing any sign of adverse intestinal effects. I seem to have less trouble with that than most people. Thank goodness. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/part-3-in-a-series-broomstick-has-a-skin-infection/524239/25 "2010-01-12T16:19:08Z")
Sorry to hear of your latest issue. May I make a suggestion which may or may not help the situation, but certainly cannot hurt anything at all? And please don’t take it personally… Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. With soap and water, preferably, but with hand gel, if that is all that is available. And of course use lotion/moisturizer to cut down on any nasty eczema flares that may happen because your skin is too dry from washing! (if lotion helps those at all). I say this NOT because I think you have dirty personal hygiene habits, but because hand-washing really does help minimize infections–which you are prone to (being on steroids doesn’t help that at all). It’s just a thought. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/part-3-in-a-series-broomstick-has-a-skin-infection/524239/26 "2010-01-12T17:10:47Z")
Well, for one thing, I’m _not_ on steroids at the moment. I avoid those as much as possible, and putting a person with an active infection on steroids is a bad thing, as steroids of that sort suppress the immune system (yes, the triamcinolone is a _topical_ steroid being used to clear up _un_infected patches of eczema, it’s not a full-body blow like oral steroids). Sorry if that wasn’t clear. I do get obsessive about cleaning my hands, and also using protective gloves, but I can’t use soap on my skin on any kind of a regular basis. Once in awhile, yes, particularly on obvious dirt, but soap on my skin is just asking for disaster. I can’t use hand cleaning gels with any sort of scent whatsoever (although aloe seems OK). I can’t use most hand lotions - even most hypoallergenic ones. Vaseline Intensive Care, for example (which is continually offered to me) leaves me with a very bright red rash. Continued application of it can lead to blisters. Right now, the only lotion/moisturizer I’ve found that _doesn’t_ cause problems is Cetaphil. This sort of thing is why I so very strongly avoid cosmetics, lotions, moisturizers, and so forth and why I am so loathe to try a new one. It is _literally_ painful for me to “just try a bit” in many cases. I have people trying to tell me to wear make up for “just a little while” for job interviews who just don’t seem to understand that _even a few minutes_ can result in a bleeding rash that take _weeks_ to heal. And then I’ll get something else on my skin and I don’t react to it - well, I’m not making this up to be difficult, I’m just very idiosyncratic about this stuff and it’s annoying as hell. Spilling household bleach on my hands may cause less damage than face powder - what the hell? It’s sad, really - while some women recline amidst scented candles and exotic bath salts I’m soaking in a medicinal tub scrubbed free of all soothing perfumes. But that’s my life. I try to carry safe handgel and lotion around with me on a constant basis, but it’s most annoying. I also clean under my fingernails a lot, as that’s another area where germs lurk. The main thing I need to do is keep my skin intact. As long as my hide is whole I don’t seem to pick up infections, the problem is, my skin doesn’t want to stay intact. And all the scented wipes, lotion-filled tissues (ever have a rash _inside your nose?_ - Horrible, horrible…) air fresheners, and fabric softeners make daily life a minefield for me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/part-3-in-a-series-broomstick-has-a-skin-infection/524239.md?page=1)