Unexplained Rash and The Perils of Misdiagnosis
In early May of 2024, I noticed a strange rash developing on my skin. At first, I brushed it off, thinking I had gotten into chiggers after mowing the back pasture for the first time in a while. But unlike typical chigger bites, this rash wasn’t itchy. I kept an eye on it, assuming it would fade within a week or so. Instead, it worsened—becoming patchy, inflamed, and persistent.
This is a closeup of a small portion of the rash a month after it first appeared.
I have never had eczema or struggled with skin issues other than a brief episode of perioral dermatitis after I stopped breastfeeding my daughter, which was allegedly in response to hormone changes. This sudden and severe skin reaction was completely new to me, making the entire experience even more confusing and frustrating.
Over the next few months, I went through a whirlwind of misdiagnoses, ineffective treatments, and sheer frustration. I saw two different general practitioners, consulted virtual physicians, and visited a dermatologist at least half a dozen times. In total, I was misdiagnosed three separate times and prescribed oral and topical steroids, and an antibiotic. When those didn’t work, my doctors pivoted to a fungal diagnosis, given the way the rash presented and presented me with a slew of unnecessary pharmaceuticals.
The Treatment Timeline
May 13: Doctor 1 prescribed Methylprednisolone, a steroid, assuming the rash was inflammatory.
May 24: Doctor 2 prescribed Clindamycin Hcl, an antibiotic, thinking it could be bacterial.
June 19: Doctor 3 diagnosed it as a fungal infection and prescribed Fluconazole.
June 24: Doctor 4 (dermatologist) agreed it was fungal and prescribed Terbinafine.
July 8: Still no improvement, so they added Ketoconazole Cream and Itraconazole. Did a skin scraping at this appointment only to find out a week and a half later that the lab lost the sample.
July 15: To counteract inflammation, I was given Hydrocortisone Cream.
July 22: After months of worsening symptoms, I finally got a biopsy. The results showed dermatitis or eczema-like rash, not a fungal infection. There was no evidence of skin cancer or fungus.
July 29: I was prescribed Hydrocortisone Ointment and Pimecrolimus Cream.
Even after the biopsy confirmed that my condition was not fungal, no doctor ever mentioned lifestyle changes or alternative treatments—just more harsh medications. The only suggestion outside of prescriptions was from my dermatologist, who recommended trying red light therapy on the affected areas.
Reevaluating My Health and Lifestyle
I generally consider myself a very healthy person—mildly granola, even—but this entire ordeal forced me to take a step back and reevaluate my lifestyle and habits. I started researching ways to support my skin and immune system naturally, focusing on:
Reducing inflammation through diet and supplements.
Eliminating potential allergens in my home and skincare routine.
Prioritizing gut health, since so many skin issues stem from internal imbalances.
Exploring holistic approaches, including red light therapy. I am currently using the PlatinumLED BIOMAX 600 on all affected areas. You can learn more about this FDA Class II Medical Device here.
One of the most unexpected consequences of this ordeal was severe hair loss. A few months after discontinuing the last anti-fungal, my hair started falling out in clumps. By November, I had lost a significant amount of my hair. It was devastating. But as I focused on healing from the inside out, I adjusted my diet and introduced targeted supplements—including pumpkin seed oil, which almost immediately stopped the fallout. Now, months later, my hair is finally growing back.
This journey has been an eye-opening experience about the flaws in our healthcare system, the importance of advocating for ourselves, and the unexpected consequences of misdiagnosis. I’m still trying to get to the root cause—but if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that we must always push for answers when something doesn’t feel right.
For anyone going through something similar, know that you are not alone. Keep asking questions, demand proper testing, and don’t settle for the status quo when it comes to your health.
