micro101

I will certainly look at the CDC links and just maybe I may come across info I need. Your help greatly appreciated! THANK YOU!

Matty, Thanks for writing. I have had a biopsy done by Mayo Clinic. I was treated for Candida Glabrata, but the itching/crawly feeling never went away. They did not find Candida they said it was "suggestive of Candid Glabrata" and I was treated for it a couple of months with fungal meds. The Dermatologist said I shd follow up with OBGYN because she said if the meds did not work for that diagnosis then she does NOT think that it is Candida Glabrata. Before going to Mayo I had a OBGYN take a look at the same area (groin) she said that "whatever" I had was all over the area (she did a coloposcopy), she also biopsied groin (outside area) and sent to lab for fungal culture. It came back negative. I was treated with many different fungal meds even though results were negative and still the same itchy/crawly feeling. If I had a boil (small) in the area, I had the doc lanced/swab and sent to lab for bacterial culture-- that too was negative (MRSA did not show). Note: The itching is NOT on my ENTIRE body. Only certain areas. It started in groin, then noticed my legs and feet used to itch after I shower, then sometimes face, scalp, back would itch. I DON"T use hot water to shower only lukewarm water, but whatever it is, it does not like warm OR hot water (becasue my skin would feel as though something is moving around when warm water contacts with my skin). If I sweat while exercising the itching increases (and this cd be because my temperature had increased and salts from sweat from exercise) I like to say this itching began after sex with my BF first time. After 40 mins I felt as though something had moved in the groin area even though I had showered after sex. After that the symtoms I explained then eventually moved to different parts of my body over time. Prior to being with this person I NEVERr had itching, boils or any complaints. I thought for sure this came from him (NO DOUBT IN MY MIND). I NEVER was one to have several partners. And I always followed a good diet, personal hygiene. It almost feels like pin, prickly feeling then a movement of once or twice in area or LIKE when a mosquito stings and you feel the need to scratch it. Once I scratch the area then it stops itching. So the only thing I can think of from looking at the slides it might be some kind of worm. I was treated with Permethrin and Pin Worm med. Still no help. If there is expert microbiologist or parasitolgist out there who I can send the slides to look at. This would help.

The slides are posted on thread called "Itching on Skin" Thanks.

OPHIOLITE, I posted more slides. Are these any better? Please take a look an advise if you can. Thanks so much.

That's so sad to hear that it took such long time for diagnosis for your mom. I have seen over 15 doctors from dermatologists to obgyn etc etc. These experience has left me drained and fustrated with docs. I went ahead and took a microbiology class and learned how to make the slides. I even purchased microscope. Anyways the other thread I posted someone says it looks like a worm just from looking at that one slide. They asked for more info and better slides so I posted more slides on there. If there is a lab out there that can help me by looking at the actual slide I made with clear tape. That would be awesome. I am not giving up just yet! THANKS FOR SHARING!

I came across demodex long time ago in my research. I ordered something to rub on my skin for this condition, but did not alleviate or help. Thanks for your insight.

I have made slides with taking a clear tape and pressing to my skin (groin area) where I feel the crawling/moving, pin prick sensation and then placing the tape on slide. Magnification was done at 10x. Mostly at night is when I am itching. as soon as I turn off the lights. The itching is also on my scalp, face, eyebrows, legs, (the warmer areas of my body such as groin is worst itching). I posted more slides on this thread. Hope you can help. Thanks.

Appolinaria, Thanks for support. Your encouraging words made me feel better. Two people responded to my other thread about the slide I posted. So looks like I may have to post some more slides with better magnification and more info.

OMG, this is so fustrating. I just posted 8 slides on this thread. Do you have to go to my profile to see them? I am not so familiar with the use of this site. I also started another post labeled Itching on skin. I posted a slide there. No, it did not help with my itching. If someone can just help me out there. I would appreicated this.

Can anyone see slides I posted? Can you help me with idetification please?

Thanks for replying. BTW: I tried tea tree oil and permethrin cream (did not take away the itching/prickly feeling). Can you see the slides I posted? Thanks for replying. BTW: I tried tea tree oil and permethrin cream (did not take away the itching/prickly feeling). Can you see the slides I posted?

Attached ares some slides i did. can anyone help me with these slides identification? Hi, I know its been a while. But can you look at these slides and tell me what you see. Thanks. Can you help me? I posted some slides about eight of them. Thanks.

I am on a very good diet. I am on a 1200 to 1500 calorie diet. My diet consists of oats/berries/almond milk/honey for breakfast (seriosly everyday for the past couple of years). Smoothie/Berries OR a Orange and Egg Drink for Lunch. Brown Rice/Beans -- usually any of the following: Black Beans, Lentils, Red Beans with Organic or free Range Fed Chicken OR Lamb OR Salmon baked. Mostly Salads. I DO NOT EAT OUT AT RESTAUARANTS EXCEPT FOR ONE DAY A WEEK AND ITS MOSTLY SELECT A DISH THAT IS NUTRITIONAL. Plus I exercise 4 or 5 times a week for 1 hour in Gym. I do NOT eat Fast Food, canned foods or Boxed, Frozen Foods. MY BLOOD WORK IS NORMAL. I will post some slides on this forum and see if I can get some answers.

Hi, I know it's been a while since we chatted. I hope your are doing great! I hope you can help me. I wanted to know where I can post the pics of slides so that maybe a professional who works in a lab looking at slides can help me. I see something that looks suspicious on the slides but not sure if I am right. I have made slides with taking a clear tape and pressing to my skin where I feel the crawling/moving sensation and then placing the tape on slide. Also you had mentioned there are other website/forums I can go to. Can you give me such names to go to. Thanks Micro101 (please Help) I can assure you this is not an emotional issue.

Hi, I know it's been a while since we chatted. I hope your are doing great! I hope you can help me. I wanted to know where I can post the pics of slides so that maybe a professional who works in a lab looking at slides can help me. I see something that looks suspicious on the slides but not sure if I am right. I have made slides with taking a clear tape and pressing to my skin where I feel the crawling/moving sensation and then placing the tape on slide. Also you had mentioned there are other website/forums I can go to. Can you give me such names to go to. Thanks Micro101

Your in UK! My family member lives in UK. Spent thousands $$ over the years going to Dermatologist EVEN though I had health insurance while I was working for companies in US. Now I am self employed part time and cannot afford Health insurance premiums, especially now that Insurance companies have raised their premiums considerably. My symptoms have been occuring years now. (toenail infections..different toenails got infected, recurring ear infection left ear only, small rashes on legs). Family members came to stay with me for some time and they were UNAWARE of my condition. I never spoke to them about it. Soon enough they were itching with rashes on one of their leg, toenail infections, some claims their skin also was itching. We NEVER shared towels or beds JUST one bathroom . So I know for sure they picked this up from the bathroom. While I was in Microbiology class, I told my Professor about the itching and he gave me the nutrient agar to do swabs and bring back to him. He said looked like fungi (growth on the nutrient agar). He said we would have to do stains...never had the chance b/c he was so busy. That's why I am trying to get to bottom of this. I am aware of the salt residue after sweating on the skin. We covered that in one of my class. But my skin never felt sticky or itchy prior to getting this infection. I can purchase the Sabaroud Agar online ...found website in US that sells it and can take pics and upload. Will keep in touch. Again thanks a million for responding.

SMF, I moved into a new apartment yrs ago. Bought new carpets, furniture, bed/mattress etc. So I ruled that out. I always keep fresh linens on my bed once a week. I use hot wash for linens, towels, clothes. I get toenail infections a lot as well. I don't believe Candida Glabrata will cause toenail infections. I was hoping that someone help me test for other fungus. I am really interested in Sabaroud Agar. I did Micro but we did not cover Mycology or fungal tests/identification in that class. I spent plenty of $$ already at the docs offices. I am not giving up of finding out what this is even if I have to get more edu on this matter.

Thanks Blahah and SMF for responding.

Baryon, Thanks for getting back to me. I have been to Dermatologist (several) over the years. Mayo Clinic Dermatlogy diagnosed Candida Glabrata, however the meds they prescribed did not end the itching. The doctor at Mayo Clinic suggested that the diagnosis may be wrong and that meds should have worked for that condition (Diflucan taken for several days at highest mg). I continue to itch all over my body. I had allergy test done of which I don't have any allergies according to the doc. I break out on my face and other parts...looks like acne (never in my life had acne). The itching feels prickly (face, scalp, legs, feet, etc). The docs at Mayo told me to use Hibiclens which I am still using. Also using Sebamed found at Costco which has been helping- clearing my pores (I am not breaking out as much). However the itching is still there (been using Sebamed about three weeks now). I have been tested for a lot of things and all was negative. Feels like something is moving on my skin especially at night. After exercise/sweat the itching is bad. My skin always feels sticky even a few hours after shower. I believe this to be some kind of fungus. I am tired of going to docs and they have not been able to help me. I have researched Sabaroud Agar for fungul identification. But need some help with this. Thanks.

Hi, Is there anyone who works in Microbiology and can check slides? I have itching on my body and took scrapings to see if I can find an answer, but don't see anything suspicious on the slides. I have pics of the slides and can email. Maybe there are independent labs I can send the slides to be read. I been to numerous docs over the years and still no help. Please respond to my post if you can.