My week took a surprising turn on Wednesday evening. I developed an unusual rash on my elbows that was making its way around my arms. The next day, I realized that a cyst in my belly button was also infected. Seriously? It's so exasperating.
After extensive Google searching, I thought maybe I'm dealing with a gluten reaction or even an autoimmune rash or arthritis. I figured I couldn't know for sure without professional support, but I also knew that it can be difficult for doctors to get to the bottom of rashes or hives. Just in case, I quit having any trace of gluten in my diet, and I suspended my medications/supplements on the off-chance that I'd developed a sudden allergy to something like Celebrex or even Tylenol. Three days without pain relievers has been… fun.
I tried managing both ailments on my own with antibiotic ointments and anti-itch creams, but by Friday afternoon, I was more than miserable. The itchy bumps weren't relegated to my elbows anymore (they went down to my hands and upper arms), and some of the lesions began feeling hot to the touch. After physical therapy for my elbow injury, I made a Teladoc appointment to talk to a doctor about the rash. I knew it would be best to see someone in person, but I didn't know how long it would take to be seen by an urgent care clinic, which might make me too late to get Sophie from school. Also, I knew it would be much more expensive since my insurance currently offers Teladoc appointments for free.
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