Basically a few months ago I was prescribed a skin cream by the doctor, which I reacted badly to. So the doctor, being the caring and thorough professional that they are, referred me to the dermatologist to have a skin patch test.
Now, I was imagining the sample size would be quite small, and I'd maybe have something about the size of an A5 sheet of paper put on the base of my back. Silly me. When the nurse wheeled out all the samples she had to administer, I wondered whether there would be enough room on me to fit them all. There were 132 in total.
132.
And I'm not sure if you've ever had a huge selection of irritants stuck on your back, but I'll tell you now. It fricken kills. First comes the tightness, where you can barely move because the skin on your back has been glued together, but that loosens off quick enough. Just in time for the itching. MY GOD the itching.
It's taking pretty much every ounce of my being not to rip this thing off and go to town on the nearest tree like Baloo...
But I have managed to resist. Thankfully I only have to endure it one more night, then it gets taken off tomorrow morning.
Unfortunately, it doesn't end there. Did I mention I am not allowed to shower during this?
Yeah, the last shower I had was on Monday morning, and I'm not allowed to shower again until Friday afternoon. Delightful, right?!
At first I thought that I would be able to wash after I got the patch taken off, but no. I have to keep the whole area dry until my last appointment on Friday, to make sure they catch any delayed reactions. Funzies!!!
If you haven't gathered already, this puts any form of excess perspiration out of the question for this week. That includes - you guessed it - any form of vigorous exercise. Which means I am having to put my training on hold for a week. With my 10k just around the corner, that is mighty frustrating.
I know I know, it will be good when I am done to have a comprehensive list of things that cause my skin to react and I'll know to avoid, but right now, with my back alight with all the horrible itching, it's difficult to be positive.
Pity me. :(
