ID REACTION

General Information

DEFINITION--An allergic response to a skin disorder of the feet, groin or other area, producing an itching rash somewhere else in the body.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED

> Parts with the original disorder: groin, ears, hands, feet.

> Parts with the allergic response: hands, feet, arms, legs or trunk.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes; all ages.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Itching (often severe).
• Vesicles (fluid-filled, small blisters) of varying size on the skin.

CAUSES--Unknown. An id reaction may be a disorder of the body's immunological response to the original ailment. They occur most often with some forms of dermatitis, outer-ear infections and eczema of the hand or foot.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Recent skin rash anywhere.
• Stress.
• Medical history of allergies.

HOW TO PREVENT--Treat all skin disorders thoroughly until they disappear.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory culture of the original skin disorder.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Doctor's treatment.
• Self-care after diagnosis.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Adverse reaction to medication used in treatment.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Usually curable in 2 weeks. Recurrence is rapid if treatment is discontinued before the id reaction and original disorder are completely gone.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Treat the original skin disorder until it heals completely to prevent a recurrence of the id reaction.
• Id reaction does not respond well to simple measures such as soaks.
• Minimize stress, if possible.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe topical or oral cortisone drugs. Oral steroids quickly control the id reaction but slow the healing of the underlying disorder.

ACTIVITY--No restrictions.

DIET--No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of an id reaction.
• The following occurs during treatment: Fever higher than 101F (38.3C). Heat, redness, pain or tenderness in any of the lesions. This indicates infection.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.