Finally got to see a dermatologist

[DanaC]

Well, actually, not a consultant dermatologist but a GP who specialises in skin conditions.

Been waiting to get to see her for months. She only does two days a week and has had some time off to deal with family stuff. Made three appointments, two of which were cancelled by the surgery and one by me.

I seem to have been on an antibiotic merry-go-round for the longest time. Averaging between 5 and 10 courses a year for the last two years. The past year in particular I seem to have been bouncing from infection to infection, with each course of antibiotics almost clearing it then the infection gradually creeping back up again after I finish the course, until it explodes across 70-80% of my skin surface and I am back at the docs for more antibiotics.

Turns out, there's also a viral infection involved. Herpatic eczema. That then compromoses my skin and I go down with a bacterial eczema infection which clears up with the anti-biotics...leaving the viral infection untouched, which then means I reinfect with bacterially infected eczema and need antibiotics again.

Trouble is that viral infections of the skin are usually very localised. A cold sore for instance. Full on infection over large areas is very rare, except in people with eczema, where it is more common. Most GPs won't come across this and won't think to look for it, or recognise it.

This makes sense to me. She's explained the difference between the two, what to look for and when to seek antibiotics or antivirals.

Suddenly I feel like I may actually be able to get control of this. Fucking hope so, because frankly it's been seriously impacting my ability to live a 'normal' life for quite some time now.

Anyways. There we go. Feeling better and hopefully the anti-virals I've been prescribed will get this sorted.