A couple of days ago I woke up to a rash along edges of my face along my hairline and behind my ears down to my neck. I could not figure out where this came from and kept going through a series of questions if I used anything different as far as skincare and products. My first thoughts were it was either a new set of facial towels I purchased or a hair product I used that I had not used in a while. I eliminated the facial towels because the rash did not appear on my face just around it. So, I then remembered I did not like the hair pomade I used the day before because it felt greasy and itchy. So, I narrowed down the culprit.
In the meantime, I put Benadryl cream on the areas of inflammation and went about my day. Luckily, I was not feeling any itchiness or discomfort so I just went about my day thinking the cream would clear it up before I had to go to work the next day. Upon waking up the next day, I saw the rash not only spread down to the front of my neck, but it now felt itchy and hot. Obviously, the cream did not help so I decided to call my Primary doctor for advice and to see if she could prescribe something stronger. Her office suggested that I go to an urgent care clinic just to be safe, especially since it was spreading and I was starting to feel different symptoms.
I went to the clinic and sure enough the doctor confirmed it was allergic contact dermatitis which was caused by the hair product due to the location of the rash. The doctor then gave me a steroid shot and said the itchiness should stop within an hour or so and the rash within the next couple of days. I mentioned that I have Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency and I am steroid dependent. I take a regular daily dosage of Hydrocortisone so with this additional shot of another steroid, the doctor mentioned that I should hold off on my regular steroid just for the day. I laughed it off because I cannot be without my steroids because I can experience an Adrenal Crisis and it could become a serious matter. I made the decision that even though I received the steroid dosage, I was going to continue my normal routine of taking my oral steroids.
After an hour of returning home from the clinic, I took my Hydrocortisone pill and within the hour, I began to feel weak, fatigued, hot, and had a headache. I figured it was the effects of the steroid shot and just laid down and rested on the couch the rest of the day. It seemed like I was feeling worse by the hour, and I took my last Hydrocortisone pill early in the evening. Not even an hour after that, I was beginning to feel like I should check my blood pressure (which is always low and normal) and sure enough it was elevated more than usual for me. I then conducted a search for this steroid and much to my surprise, I saw that it is a strong prescription steroid. Then it dawned on me, that was why the doctor suggested that I hold off on my Hydrocortisone for the day. So, it was an overdose of steroids, and my body was reacting to it. I even asked members of Adrenal Insufficiency support groups that I am a part of and they confirmed the same thing that the combination of the two steroids was why I was feeling so bad. I continued to monitor my blood pressure, which eventually went down, and I rested and prayed I would be okay.
Today, I woke up feeling a little better and the rash has cleared up. I resumed my Hydrocortisone and started taking Tylenol for the headaches. I have had to take a couple of naps due to still feeling weak and fatigued so that helped. I have managed to keep myself busy today and completed a couple of projects around the house to take my mind off not feeling well. It is a hard lesson that I learned and as soon as doctor stated to hold off on my steroids, I should have asked questions about what she meant. I should know better because with my Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency, no medical situation no matter how small it is simple. This disease is extraordinarily complex and can complicate the simplest of things.
This disease requires daily management because any undue stress good or bad can affect my body and how it responds. I take my normal daily dosage of Hydrocortisone just to function on a normal day. If I experience any illness, emergency, medical procedure, or stress (good or bad), then I need to increase my steroid dosages accordingly depending on the situation. I am blessed and grateful to be alive because I have encountered way too many situations where my life was hanging in balance due to experiencing an adrenal crisis.
I was temporarily out of order, but it is a constant reminder that no matter what I am experiencing, God is always with me.
The World of Dlo 