Skin question: severely lacerated skin simply by scratching ...

May 19, 2004

Hi all,

I can find on the Internet that animals that scratch and tear their fragile

skin from the scratching might have a form of EDS. I FAIL to find similar

statements about people.

My late hubby Bill had the problem of < > And

yes, he kept his fingernail trimmed back. He had terrible scratches on wake

up that after fifty some years in his opinion was normal. Then on top of that

the scratches took a long time to heal.

As I read his medical history to prepare his VA medical records I am finding

multiple comments in his VA doctors about terrible scratches on is legs and

nickel or quarter sized lesions. The doctors report clearing says from the skin

being scratched. I think it is amazing that he could never feel that he was

scratching in his sleep. He was also always turning over his ankles and had

chronic ear infection ... for almost no reason. Another problem I see from the

point of view of seeing decades of his medical records was that he was always

going to the ER for severe abdominal. In almost all cases he was examined, even

hospitalized and then told to go back to work -- that they saw nothing on the

scan. This might be why in his last years he gave up trying to explain his

pains.

Toward his last days with all the many pain medicines he had to take he had

increased dry skin and severe itching. His legs were covered with skin scratch

lesions. Finally, this was even worse his last week of life since he could not

control his scratching by then, I suppose. Before that he had control over

the use of lotions and powders. He also had great sensitivity to chlorine in

water.

Another question: Isn't there something that means you respond more to pain

than typical? Unlike me who has insensitivity to pain, he seemed the opposite.

Comments in his records complain that he was curled up in a ball like a baby

from abdominal pain. The military doctor comments was that it was inappropriate

for a man. And, I was there one of the times. That time it was gastritis.

Later, even for a needle or something I would need to hold his hand instead of

the other way around.

IMHO what I am describing should fit under so called EDS fragile skin. What

type I am not sure. But I do intend to add it to his list of chronic medical

conditions. Before he had the cancer he had severe DJD body pain. Without an EDS

skin test the next best thing is to get my MIL to go for testing :-D. Even

without that the family history is so precise. Any comments would be

appreciated. Caro

May 19, 2004

Hi Carol,

I hope you are doing better now!!!

Of course I am not a doctor, and even for a doctor it would be

impossible to diagnose something from an e-mail, but I figured I

would share my thoughts about the things you mention about Bills skin

problems anyway. I am sure that others also can share their thoughts

about what you say about his skin. I don't think it sounds as EDS

fragile skin at all. I think it sounds more like a person who has

some skin problems, maybe something like dermatitis, atopic eczema

problems or something along those lines where itching is a problem.

The skin tears from EDS fragile skin, e.g. as in the classical form

of EDS, is nothing like a scratch, more like a wound. I had atopic

eczema when I was a kid and has had psoriasis too since I was a kid.

Because of having what they call an atopic disposition, my skin is in

general dry and I itch a lot. I scratch myself in my sleep always,

and can wake up with long scratch marks. They're really nothing other

than thin, long grazes, which you easily can make even with really

short nails. Because an avid scratcher really knows how to do it,

even in his/her sleep. When e.g. a dermatologist uses the word

" lesion " , they often mean something as simple as a rash. It doesn't

necessarily mean anything at all like the skin tears you can see with

EDS fragile tissues. Those are more like real wounds or cuts, and

often need stitches, glue or steri-strips. Do you understand why I

don't think what you describe sounds like an EDS related skin problem?

Just my NOK .50 worth, not medical advice at all. That I can of

course not give. But it is just a few thoughts based on the

experience I have with skin problems and EDS... It would be

interesting to hear what you others on the list thinks too...

Take care!!!

Aase Marit

>Hi all,

>

>I can find on the Internet that animals that scratch and tear their fragile

>skin from the scratching might have a form of EDS. I FAIL to find similar

>statements about people.

>

>My late hubby Bill had the problem of < > And

>yes, he kept his fingernail trimmed back. He had terrible scratches on wake

>up that after fifty some years in his opinion was normal. Then on top of that

>the scratches took a long time to heal.

>

>As I read his medical history to prepare his VA medical records I am finding

>multiple comments in his VA doctors about terrible scratches on is legs and

>nickel or quarter sized lesions. The doctors report clearing says

>from the skin

>being scratched. I think it is amazing that he could never feel that he was

>scratching in his sleep. He was also always turning over his ankles and had

>chronic ear infection ... for almost no reason. Another problem I see from the

>point of view of seeing decades of his medical records was that he was always

>going to the ER for severe abdominal. In almost all cases he was

>examined, even

>hospitalized and then told to go back to work -- that they saw nothing on the

>scan. This might be why in his last years he gave up trying to explain his

>pains.

>

>Toward his last days with all the many pain medicines he had to take he had

>increased dry skin and severe itching. His legs were covered with skin scratch

>lesions. Finally, this was even worse his last week of life since he could not

>control his scratching by then, I suppose. Before that he had control over

>the use of lotions and powders. He also had great sensitivity to chlorine in

>water.

>

>Another question: Isn't there something that means you respond more to pain

>than typical? Unlike me who has insensitivity to pain, he seemed the opposite.

>Comments in his records complain that he was curled up in a ball like a baby

>from abdominal pain. The military doctor comments was that it was

>inappropriate

>for a man. And, I was there one of the times. That time it was gastritis.

>Later, even for a needle or something I would need to hold his hand instead of

>the other way around.

>

>IMHO what I am describing should fit under so called EDS fragile skin. What

>type I am not sure. But I do intend to add it to his list of chronic medical

>conditions. Before he had the cancer he had severe DJD body pain.

>Without an EDS

>skin test the next best thing is to get my MIL to go for testing :-D. Even

>without that the family history is so precise. Any comments would be

>appreciated. Caro

>

May 19, 2004