DCS and surface skin pain

[TheWetRookie]

I have been reviewing my DCS signs and symptons and was wanting to know with type 1 DCS, symptoms like surface skin pain, is it a constant pain or is the pain felt only on touch or movement? Or is there both (different types)?

Thanks

 

[Papa_Bear]

I have seen it present itself as a rash an itchy one that the person couldn't leave alone!

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi TheWetRookie,

"Skin bends" or cutaneous DCS (a form of Type I DCS) usually presents as a constant and intense itching that doesn't need touch or movement to provoke it. It most typically affects the torso, shoulders and arms and may be associated with a mottled/marbled rash (cutis marmorata). It tends to clear within 24 hours, and often more quickly. If the diver has skin pain that requires touch/pressure or movement to elicit, it's unlikely to be simple skin bends.

As regards Type I DCS involving joints, muscles or tendons, the pain is usually constantly present until it resolves and tends to be dull, deep & throbbing. The shoulder is frequently affected, but involvement of the elbow, hip & knee also are common. Touch/pressure or movement are not needed to elicit the pain, although they may exacerbate it.

Helpful?

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[TheWetRookie]

Thanks, DocVikingo

 

[nereas]

If you are allergic to your laundry detergent, you can get the same kind of overall itching. This comes from your underwear or from your bed sheets.

 

[DocVikingo]

If you are allergic to your laundry detergent, you can get the same kind of overall itching. This comes from your underwear or from your bed sheets.

Hi nereas,

Let's see now:

1. The itching from allergy to a laundry detergent wouldn't occur only post-dive as is the case with skin bends. Rather, the itching would appear whenever contact occurred between the skin and material washed in the offending detergent.

2. The itching from allergy to a laundry detergent wouldn't most typically affect just the torso, shoulders and arms. Rather, it would affect whatever areas of skin come in contact with material washed in the offending detergent, including areas rarely, if ever, subject to skin bends.

3. The itching from allergy to a laundry detergent wouldn't tend to be associated with a mottled/marbled rash (cutis marmorata) as is the case with skin bends. Rather, the detergent rash would likely involve reddening and fine, red pimples or small spots on the affected areas of skin.

4. Given no history of itching/rash to material washed in a diver's usual detergent, an allergy would be likely to occur only when there was a change in laundry products. The diver probably would be aware of such an event occurring, and if not could easily find out.

Considering these points, wouldn't the differential diagnosis between skins bends and detergent rash be a relatively simple matter?

Thanks,

DocVikingo

 

[nereas]

I believe it is worth considering that a recent change in laundry detergent or shower soap could be the issue. I am not disagreeing on the skin bends symptoms. Anything is always possible.

I have known this to crop up on scuba trips, where you go to the local laundromat with your clothes, put a dollar into the dispensing machine for soap powder, and voila! You itch the next day.

Some people are just really sensitive.

 

[Heg]

Hi
I'm off to see a dive specialist on Friday re Skin bends. Has happened to me for the last 3 dive trips but I was blaming my weight belt for the bruising and itching around my midriff.
It was only after a particularly scary 'attack' on my upper thighs that I looked up my symptoms on the www.
Will wait to see what the specialist says, but i'm really scared that I won't be allowed to dive again.
I also want to add that none of the dives were
1- deep
2- deco dives
I also did a saftey stop for 3 mins at 5m on every dive.
The symptoms appear about 2-3 hours after the second dive and are usually gone after around 6- 8 hours although the area still feels bruised. I do not get the symptoms after every dive, nut there is not pattern to it.
I'll post back here when I get the results.