I decided to write this post to document the various rashes and spots on my body that have emerged since my CFS began. Some of the photos below are of my rashes and spots while other photos are images that I found on google that resemble my rashes and spots. I apologise for the quality of photos that I have taken. I used my phone to capture the images.
The above photo is of my feet which have red/brown coloured spots on each of the toes. The spots emerged approximately 4 years ago and are permanently on all 10 toes. The spots are around 0.7cms in diameter. I suspect that they have been caused by the lack of peripheral blood flow to my extremities. My feet and especially my toes are always ice cold and these spots may be the result. A doctor has seconded my opinion that this is the likely cause of these spots. This cause is speculative and at the moment is still a theory.
The above photo is not of me. I found this image on google of a Bartonella rash. I have a similar rash however it is located on both of my inner thighs. To save you the angst of seeing that photo, I refer you to this one. I will explain the differences between my rash and this rash. My rash has lines that are slightly thinner and are closer together. My rash also has a greater number of lines however the claw like appearance of the lines is similar. My rash is spread across approximately 20cms on each thigh. It emerged approximately 3-4 years ago. It has been a permanent rash and is quite vivid. The rash has slightly faded since I have been on the Shoemaker Protocol however is still quite visible.
My rash resembles stretch marks and also Bartonella. My GP diagnosed it as stretch marks however I find the likelihood of it being stretchmarks next to zero. I have remained the same size and weight for approximately 7 years (since I finished growing.) Stretch marks are typically caused as a result of a sudden weight change. I am not certain what this rash is however it does highly resemble Bartonella. I am not going to explore the controversial subject of the presence of Lyme Disease in Australia now but I have not completely excluded the possibility of myself having Lyme Diseas
e.
The above photo is of a round rash that appeared on my forearm approximately 8 months ago. It physically resembled a bruise and was around 4cms in diameter. It was itchy and lasted approximately 6 months until it faded away. I am not sure what caused this rash however it is possible that it was a side effect to one of my medications.
The above photo is of the spots on my fingers. They are almost identical to the spots on my toes mentioned earlier. They emerged at the same time as the spots on my toes and I believe they are also caused by a lack of peripheral blood flow. My fingers have a similar freezing temperature like my toes.
There are 2 other types of spots/rashes that have coincided with my CFS. The first are blood spots. These are tiny red dots that are caused when blood vessels beneath the skin erupt. I never had a blood spot in my life until I developed CFS. Since my CFS emerged, my body has been covered with an increasing number of blood spots. There are now over 50 on my body and are permanent spots. Doctors have confirmed that these red spots on my body are indeed blood spots. I haven’t investigated a possible mechanistic link between my CFS/CFS symptoms and blood spots.
The final rash that I have developed since coming down with CFS has been a red itchy rash that emerges on various parts of my body approximately 2 times per week. This rash is itchy and lasts a few hours before disappearing. It is around 3cms in diameter and has a small white dot at its centre. I am not sure what causes this rash however one possibility is that it’s some sort of allergic reaction.
Prior to having CFS, I had never experienced any of these 6 types of rashes/spots before in my life. Since developing CFS, these rashes/spots have emerged in abundance. Different types of rashes are relatively common among CFS patients. I am not sure if my rashes/spots are a direct results of CFS, a secondary results of a CFS symptom or indeed a CFS symptom. I may sound “rash” but in the scheme of things, my rashes/spots are one of my least concerning CFS symptoms.
Living With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 
Just found your blog via “Patient Advocate” blog. I’m 36 with severe CFS for 5 years. You are the first person I’ve come across who can relate to the strange things that have popped up on my skin since my severe stage began. Long story short, I was mildly/moderately ill for several years until severe CFS began. Once I entered the severe stage, my extremeties were always freezing and I got weird red bumps on fingers. Derm. was very intrigued and biopsied them and said I had dermatomyositis…rhumy said no, just CFS “byproduct.” I have since seen another derm. in LA who was even more intrigued and biopsied them again…she said early stages of scleroderma…another rhumy said no way, just CFS!! I also have the tiny red pin-pricks all over my upper arms. They are increasing in number and places. Some on chest, etc. New CFS doctor said all related to circulation problems and the “thick” blood seen in this illness. I was on Heparin months ago but didn’t see improvement and tired of needles now. My finger pads are also always wrinkly. What in this illness is ever straight-forward and easily understood by the medical community—nothing!! I try to wear mittens whenever I can.
Thanks for blogging-
ginger
Have you checked out Lyme disease and Bartonella?
Most of the lyme patients I have met were mis-diagnosed with Fibromyalgia for years before getting a proper diagnosis. Once they got proper treatment from an LLMD (lyme literate MD) they got well.
I mention this because your skin spots, rashes, seem like “bart” which is a common co-infection with lyme. I have both and was just diagnosed 3 months ago.
I recommend checking out the flash discussions at http://www.lymenet.org and also http://www.ilads.org Only an ILADS trained LLMD can get you well. The mainstream medical community cannot. Take my word for it (and other lymies).
You can get well!
Looks like you might have lyme. You ve got something in you causing this.
The purple striae marks were noted in previous research that i read in Dr Ramsays book (ME specialist) and this was noted in a child, the striae marks slowly faded with time but definately associated with the ME.
My family also came down with the fine red spots that fade to purple and remerge red a few weeks later about eight months ago, i have ME but it appeared at teh same time as my Daughter caught the disease and hasnt resolved in either of us.
a ME paediatrician tried to say it was a heat rash on my Daughter, which was rubbish
i beleive it associated with a virus
I don’t know if I have CFS, but while I was in the hospital I was given large doses of LEVIQUIN for an infection in my blood. During the stay I noticed a large red rash (looked like a sunburn) on my left leg and itched as well.
It took about a week until it was gone. Yesterday, I noticed the same rash again…so, as far as allergies go, I have none!
sounds like bartonella if you go a rash from leviquin. Lyme also gives you rashes….both of these illnesses can cause CFS
Hi, I highly recommend looking into lyme disease. You, like many thousands (hundreds of thousands, really) of people are being misled by the mainstream medical community. Watch the documentary Under Our Skin. Please. Don’t let yourself get misdiagnosed again and again. Many of us have gone years, and some entire lives, being misled before we were able to find a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor. This is a great site for information http://www.ilads.org/
I hope you have gotten answers. This is all classic Lyme and co-infections. I was dx with Fibro, CFS and a slew of other health issues that I now believe is chronic, undiagnosed Lyme and co-infections for at least 20 years I am struggling to find the resources to see a LLD. I grow sicker and I am scared. I wish you good health!