Seeing a specialist for a pesky rash

Since moving here last summer, I have been fighting an intensely itchy rash on my legs, chest, arms, and eyelids.  Because of the pattern of when the rash flares up the most, my doctors at home and myself thought it was attributed to my birth control pill.

After a year of flare-ups, over-the-counter creams, switching birth control pills at least three times, and being put on a daily anti-histamine, the rash is still ruling my life.  I have been to my GP at least 3 times about the problem, and it normally takes at least a month and a half to get into the surgery because they are so booked up.  The doctor has no idea what it could be, and is beginning to act as if it's all in my head, when clearly it's not.

I was home this month for a two weeks visit where my doctor at home put me on a course of oral steroids that miraculously healed my legs.  They had never looked so good, and the scars were finally beginning to fade.  Until I came back to Ireland.  Now, my legs are flared up again, and even the slightest scratching results in the skin peeling off of my leg.

I have GOT to see someone who has a better idea of skin conditions or allergies.  The pain is unbearable, and the damage done to my legs has cause my self esteem to drop.

So my question is:  How exactly do I go about being set up with a specialist?  I really don't want to have to go through the 1 1/2-2 month process of seeing a GP again to set up a meeting with said specialist, and I'm a bit fearful of the appointment where I arrive and say "I've lost faith in you, I need to see someone with a clue."

Has anyone else maneuvered being set up with any kind of specialist doctor?  How long can I expect to have to wait to be seen?

Any input with similar skin conditions or being set up with allergists/dermotologists would be welcomed information! 

In England you need to go through your GP, but I am not sure about Ireland.  I think there might be some private GPs who can then refer you, but we don't have any in our area, so I don't know how it works.

Sorry and I hope you have an answer soon!

So my question is:  How exactly do I go about being set up with a specialist?  I really don't want to have to go through the 1 1/2-2 month process of seeing a GP again to set up a meeting with said specialist, and I'm a bit fearful of the appointment where I arrive and say "I've lost faith in you, I need to see someone with a clue."

I'm not sure why- as the alternative is suffering!

I don't know about referrals in NI, but I can tell you that my husband has suffered from a similar rash for years and the best his GP would do was send him home with some scabies cream, even though he repeatedly asked for referrals. My friends here with allergies suffered from years before being referred for allergy tests, and as my one friend's GP said "just stay away from things that make you sick" in lieu of referring him for testing.

Are their other GPs in your doc's practice? Maybe you can make an appointment with them for a second opinion. Otherwise demand some tests and referrals from your GP (you're American, they'll expect it  ) and if he refuses- sign up with another practice!

Another thing that might work- I have seen allergy tests on Groupon at private GPs- you could snag one of those or at least call and inquire about the cost of going for private testing.

All I can say is- don't give up because you are not crazy! I had recurring hives in the US that happened on the same day every month- each month gaining worse and worse symptoms. My GP said it was "all in my head" and the only referral he would give me "would be to a psychiatric ward" (his words exactly). When I finally found a doc who would listen to me- I discovered I had Lymes Disease, and in the year I wasted getting bogus diagnoses from the shitty doc it became chronic and I am still suffering for my misdiagnosis today. So yeah- don't get discouraged by one d*cks opinion- if you know you don't feel good find someone who will listen to you!

Unfortunately there are very, very few NHS allergy specialists in the UK as a whole, and children with severe food allergies are given priority for referrals. There may not even be a NHS allergy specialist in NI; I believe there are only 2 for the whole of Scotland. Your best bet might be to go private. Just make sure you go to an actual allergy specialist with a medical degree, not people who claim to diagnose and treat allergies with homoeopathy and crap.

As a side note, I have a friend who had unexplained rashes for ages, and it has turned out to be a wheat allergy. When she cut wheat from her diet, they went away quickly and completely, and whenever she eats wheat, they come right back. Might be worth trying until you can get an appointment!

DrSuper is right - although even children with life threatening food allergies have trouble getting referrals to see allergy specialists.

The best clinic for adult patients in Belfast is the Royal Hospital Regional Immunology Clinic.  Dr Devlin is one of the consultants, but I am sure there are others too. 

You may have better luck seeing a dermatologist first. Having an "allergy" is a bit of a trendy thing right now and GPs tend to see it as such. You very well could have an allergy, but asking for a dermo referral might be better received by your GP.

Yes! It might not even be an allergy, it could be another type of skin condition.  And don't trust allergy people who advertise in Groupon. 

Yes, I would see a dermatologist before I would try to see an allergy specialist. I'm someone who breaks out in weird stuff randomly all the time, and at least with a the dermo, you can rule certain conditions out before it gets to the point of seeing if it's allergy-related. I was completely covered in hives once, so badly that my foot was just one huge swollen hive, and it turned out I had mono. A virus that really never has much to do with skin caused my skin to go completely haywire. Who knew?

Also, this is a bit of work, but it might be helpful to keep a diary of the condition. There are things that could be triggering it that you don't even realise, but which a doctor might find helpful. So write down if it's worse or better in certain areas that day, how it feels, what you ate/drank, if you changed your detergent, what sorts of feelings you've been having (stress, sadness, joy, etc.).

Good luck! And hopefully you can get a handle on it soon!

Also, this is a bit of work, but it might be helpful to keep a diary of the condition. There are things that could be triggering it that you don't even realise, but which a doctor might find helpful. So write down if it's worse or better in certain areas that day, how it feels, what you ate/drank, if you changed your detergent, what sorts of feelings you've been having (stress, sadness, joy, etc.).

Yes, this!  And take photos -if its taking a month and half to see the GP, then it could completely change by time you get there. 

Thanks everyone for the input!

I have managed to get an appointment for the 31st August with a different doctor in my surgery.  Hopefully this one takes me seriously.  I have an extensive history of allergies that trigger asthma and itchy/watery eyes, but a rash has never presented itself.  Another thing that worries me is that a few years ago my doctor at home noticed in blood work that my markers for an auto-immune problem (rheumatoid arthritis or lupus) were very high, and I was told to seek help if I eventually presented a rash.

Another thing that might work- I have seen allergy tests on Groupon at private GPs- you could snag one of those or at least call and inquire about the cost of going for private testing.

I've never seen a private allergist advertised on Groupon, but I will certainly have a look around and price a private doctor if it comes to that.  I'm desperate at this point!

My GP said it was "all in my head" and the only referral he would give me "would be to a psychiatric ward" (his words exactly).

OMG!  I can't believe he actually said that!  My current doctor last time said, "what do you want me to do about it?" which I felt was a huge brush-off.  So annoying!

The best clinic for adult patients in Belfast is the Royal Hospital Regional Immunology Clinic.  Dr Devlin is one of the consultants, but I am sure there are others too....

You may have better luck seeing a dermatologist first. Having an "allergy" is a bit of a trendy thing right now and GPs tend to see it as such.

I had no idea allergies were trendy right now! I am so fashionable    Thanks for this info-- it's good to know a name in case I need one.  I will definitely suggest a dermatologist first. 


Bookgirl-- I had blood work done a few months ago in the surgery, an that indicate that I am, indeed, having an allergic reaction to SOMETHING, but the source has yet to be determined.  I don't care which kind of doc fixes it, as long as it happens soon!

it might be helpful to keep a diary of the condition. There are things that could be triggering it that you don't even realise, but which a doctor might find helpful. So write down if it's worse or better in certain areas that day, how it feels, what you ate/drank, if you changed your detergent, what sorts of feelings you've been having (stress, sadness, joy, etc.).

Great suggestion!  The only 'pattern' I've noticed is that I'm the worst right before my 'time of the month,' and then eases after that week, but now I'm starting to wonder if rather than being tied to my birth control, it may just be because my skin is more sensitive right before then?  Either way, I'll try to keep record between now and my appointment.


Thank you everyone for the help!  Will definitely take these suggestions on board

My current doctor last time said, "what do you want me to do about it?" which I felt was a huge brush-off.  So annoying!

Did you answer by saying you wanted a referral to an allergist or dermatologist?  I have always just gone into my UK GP and stated exactly what I wanted.

I have always just gone into my UK GP and stated exactly what I wanted.

This.  Don't be shy.  TELL them what you want, don't ask. 

This is a good article (though its on an NHS page) -
It's all really relevant, Getting the most from a doctor's appointment

We are our own best advocates - if you're life is suffering because of the rash, you need to speak up and say so and work with your doctors to make you better, no matter what!

I think there some rashes that can be associated with autoimmune conditions. That alone should make your gp pay more attention.