Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
Hey guys! This will be my first Roo! I've been so excited, been lurking this board for months now and have found all sorts of useful information! I have a question though, about 2 months ago, I started breaking out into rashes and itching all over my body, aside from my face, and it's especially worse at night. I have just concluded that it is from a newly surfacing anxiety issue due to a lot of personal issues. Im going to try my best to cleanse myself and get rid of this whole itching myself raw habit before bonnaroo, but in case i dont, how anxiety provoking is bonnaroo to those fellow roo'ers who also suffer? I'm just a tad worried, but still beyond excited... It just gets so bad at night and none of the doctors anti-histamine prescription medications have worked. Thank you for taking the time to read this!
Hey Joey.. Have a friend going through a similiar issue. (Not a roo person - impending divorce after two decades). Get yourself to your PCP and a good dermatoligist to be sure. Benyadrl liquid topic externally in the mean time. Scratching to infection is an evil thing. The fabulous RN's on this site will fill in the rest.
I'm crowd phobic.. severly almost paralyzing crowd phobic. Cant breath or thing crowd phobic. Never.. not even once.. felt that at Roo. And it does get really crowded for the big shows. The vibe is SO good from 99.9 % of the folks there that you forget about those things that make you itch back home.
Read the boards, listen to the super Rn's that reply, and get your ( | ) to the farm. It will make you forget about the root cause of the itchies. : )
Question: did you recently change laundry detergents or fabric softeners? I have a severe reaction to both and have been hositalized numerous times for "stress releated" hives.. only to find out that I am allergic to Bounty and Snuggle! Definitly try a new laundry soap and fabric softener.. I use 7th generation or Sun and Moon both vegetable based detergents.... If that doesn't help, use Zyrtec from the pharmacy. I have been to roo before with hives, while pregnant, while ... etc etc...Zyrtec or another good allergy medicine may help. Roo is extremely hot, difficult to clean yourself and a wonderful place, but if you are already uncomfortable with your rash/hives, the environment can make it unbareable. We have 1.5 weeks left, try Zrtec or an equivilent and try changing your soaps. It is an easy fix so your rash will be the least of your worries at Roo!
I don't know what your rash looks like but I treat a lot of scabies where I work and it is certainly worse at night. Is the rash more apparent near skin folds, in between fingers, etc. and is it linear in pattern at times?
I don't know what your rash looks like but I treat a lot of scabies where I work and it is certainly worse at night. Is the rash more apparent near skin folds, in between fingers, etc. and is it linear in pattern at times?
Post by Dave Maynar on May 29, 2011 22:56:19 GMT -5
I will leave the medical stuff to other people. Like Fawn, I am not a huge fan of crowds. One time, I almost freaked out in the middle of Biltmore in Asheville, but you it is just more of a tension thing and hypervigilance. That being said, I have not had any problems in my two years at Bonnaroo.
Post by LoveLuckLaughter on May 30, 2011 3:56:03 GMT -5
Heya Joey!
<<<< One of the board RNs, and a sufferer of Severe Anxiety Disorder for almost 20 years.
As Zen said, anxiety does very very weird things to you somatically speaking. So, if you've ruled out a new allergy, and have ruled out a parasite or infection, then it absolutely could be the anxiety itself, and therefore most medicines you have been given may not work (although Benadryl is also an anti-anxiety medication, just an FYI).
Anyways, as far as Roo goes, I would really recommend talking to your Dr about starting on something for anxiety before you go, or use the Benadryl if it works for you. I don't have any problems with Agoraphobia anyways, so the crowds are no trouble for me. However I have had terrible waking Panic Attacks since I was a teen, and my first Roo sent me on a months long spree of terrible attacks. It was just the change in environment and the lack of sleep and proper nutrition that spurred it and then it took me so so long, and medicine to get it under control.
Proactive vs. Reactive is always the best way to go. Good luck honey! And if it doesn't work out that you can get something and you think you might have problems, PM me and I'll give you my number and you can call me if you have trouble at Roo and I can help you out.
We're all a mess of paradoxes. Believing in things we know can't be true. We walk around carrying feelings too complicated and contradictory to express. But when it all becomes too big, and words aren't enough to help get it all out, there's always music.
Two years ago I had a similar problem. Antihistamines don't work. You need a topical steroid. The doctor can recommend one. I also high recommend checking your mattress for any signs of bed bugs. Using a lot of lotion and a topical steroid should do the trick.
Post by bonnarichert on May 30, 2011 9:53:08 GMT -5
Man this sucks dude , I hope you can get it under controll before roo. PM me and I will give you my cell # and if you want some people to hang, eat, sleep,uuuhhumm, with just give me a call man...PS Listen to the great people on this board they are some of the best in the world!!! Good luck and see ya soon!
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Post by sufficientlyvague on May 30, 2011 15:24:39 GMT -5
Hey Joey, Bonnaroo is very relaxing to me and many others. I am naturally a nervous person and all the preperation leading up to Roo gets me excited and a little woried that I might forget something or get a flat tire on my way there or something like that. Anyway, once I'm there and camp is set up, I am relaxed and everything is cool. In Centeroo at a tent, if I feel I am too crowded, then I just move to the back and then I'm fine. One thing I recommend is not to experiment with substances while at Roo. One year I tried something that is okay to take with alcohol. One of my camp mates is a pharmacist and he told me what the effects were of this particular substance. He said it enhances whatever you are feeling. Well after 3 hours it peaked and since I am naturally a high strung individual, these feelings were definitly enhanced. I was extremely anoid with everyone around me and had to go off alone for another 3 hours to wait until it wore off. If you take anything for your symptoms make sure you know how you will react. Take it at home to make sure you don't have an allergic reaction before you come to Roo. I do not recommend experimenting with anything new for recreation purposes at Roo. I hope this helps.
I developed anxiety a few years ago but do not have problems with it at Roo. I get anxious before we go and anxious about getting home (we have kids). I have to completely agree that Roo is not a place to experiment but I would suggest seeing if you could get a prescription for a low dose of Xanax. For me it works wonders and if it was effective for you perhaps the skin could begin to calm before you leave.
So the itching from anxiety definitely is normal? As for the spots on my body, some are bumps that resemble bug bites, others are blood rashes under the skin, others scab'ish type lines from itching too hard, and then there are even many spots where im really itchy, but there are no visible spots...it just itches. I really appreciate all the kind advice from you all, if the rest of people at bonnaroo are anything like you all here, i'm going to have a great time! Also, a doctor did prescribe me a topical steroid, however, it is kind of hard to apply it EVERYWHERE I itch, considering I itch everywhere. When I apply it to what I believe is all the spots, i'm itchy in 5 new places. So I kind of gave up on trying to apply it. Recently i've been taking 24 hour allegra daily, 800 mcg of folic acid, valarian root at night time, the equate version of benodryl, and I just purchased some food grade diatomaceous earth to shower with. As you can tell, i'm desperate to rid myself of this itching before bonnaroo... As for the detergent question, we did switch detergents around the same time the itching started, but then switched back, and its been over a month since t he switch back and its only gotten worse. The intense itching actually started when I had some bad corn and was legitimately convinced I was going to die, so i spent 4 hours staring at pictures of my girlfriend until i passed out.. the itching never stopped though, this was 2, maybe 3 months ago. I thought it was an allergic reaction to the corn, but it never went away...and since then many things in my personal life have occurred and will occur in the next year that will be very tragic for me that I have no control over. The thing is I dont ever FEEL that stressed, more numb really, and I dont think about the tragic things that often.... so i guess its my subconscious. Once again, thank you all for taking the time to read this...I know it kind of takes away from the good vibe...and I apologize if it comes off as whiny. but thank you, you all are great!
Post by sufficientlyvague on May 31, 2011 0:01:49 GMT -5
Hi Joey,
Have you re-washed all your towels and the bed sheets and all of your clothes? I am not a doctor, but your symptoms you describe do not sound like a typical allergic reaction to an environmental substance. It sounds like there is some peripheral nerve irritation going on and that can come from emotional issues and can come from a exposure to a chemical substance such as a contaminant that's gotten into your body as well as a bunch of other causes. These are both conditions that can heal with time. If you can, try and go back to your doctor before the festival and tell him all that you told us about the bad corn and all and tell him the antihistamines and steroid creams are not working. A anti-anxiety medication may work to ease your symptoms. Look up the term "general pruritus" or "general pruritis" which means chronic itching all over the body. There is a ton of info about this. One thing that might help for general pruritus is an over the counter topical capsaicin application but it probably should not be applied on raw open sores. Google that as well. I hope you find relief.
All my sheets have been rewashed, except for my comforter(the thick one that goes on top) because the comforter was never washed in the detergent we had switched to. I'm going to call tomorrow and make an appointment... after researching, im honestly terrified in that it might be renal failure, just on account of my corn intake in the past. I am only 19, but still, it's possible isn't it? If it is anxiety, the fact that i don't know for sure what it is is making the whole scenario much worse.
Post by LoveLuckLaughter on May 31, 2011 2:41:15 GMT -5
Joey, are you peeing? Are you drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day and still peeing? Are you free from swelling throughout your body? Are you free from Nausea? Is your pee a normal light yellow color? You are not in renal failure dear. And yes, the anxiety is making it a lot worse than it is.
We're all a mess of paradoxes. Believing in things we know can't be true. We walk around carrying feelings too complicated and contradictory to express. But when it all becomes too big, and words aren't enough to help get it all out, there's always music.
Post by emjaydoespr on May 31, 2011 8:50:50 GMT -5
Two years ago I had a similar problem. Antihistamines don't work. You need a topical steroid. The doctor can recommend one. I also high recommend checking your mattress for any signs of bed bugs. Using a lot of lotion and a topical steroid should do the trick.
this ^^^... i had a this weird rash pop up on my arms and legs and stomach, it was insanely itchy. i think it was due to hard water and my loufa lol. thankfully, my girlfriend has steroid cream around. worked perfectly for me, as i'm rash free. as for anxiety... try the 9am yoga!
We're all a mess of paradoxes. Believing in things we know can't be true. We walk around carrying feelings too complicated and contradictory to express. But when it all becomes too big, and words aren't enough to help get it all out, there's always music.
Post by sendmetoalbion on May 31, 2011 9:22:05 GMT -5
I have OCD and anxiety disorder, and it has always been kind of a toss up at festivals. It can get pretty bad if the people in my group start pissing me off…get really high, don’t want to see the same bands, go to bed too early, are crabby, etc…but I’ve found that it is best if I just leave them when I start to feel a panic attack getting closer. Most of the time, as long as I try really hard to stay chill, not worry about everything so much, and learn to expect things to go the opposite as expected, I have a fabulous time and my anxiety levels are much better than usual. I have only had one true panic attack in a crowd at a fest…I was second row for Blur at Glastonbury and started to freak out about other people’s skin touching me…but that was more of an OCD issue than anxiety.
My best advice for you is to just relax, remove as many stressors as you possibly can ahead of time, and have absolutely no expectations that can be dashed and make things even more anxiety-ridden. The more you worry ahead of time, the worse it will get. Also, if you do take any meds, make sure you keep the same schedule you are currently following.
Post by mizvalentine on May 31, 2011 9:47:37 GMT -5
I suffer from anxiety too. I would talk to your doctor right away, all the advice above is EXCELLENT advice, and I would add that any new meds you're given should be tried out BEFORE you leave, in a comfortable and controlled setting. I personally have a bad reaction to xanax and all meds in that class (I am one of the very rare people for whom those meds illicit the exact opposite reaction--puts my anxiety into 200% overdrive) and I only found out about it while trapped on an airplane.
Additionally, I get the phantom itchies when my anxiety is high. No rash, but intense itching like I have fleas or something. My mom always has had it too and was treated for years with all kinds of drugs before they figured out it was an anxiety symptom and not an allergy or eczema. That said, there's no way to know for sure til you see the right doctor.
Also, as someone who is naturally shy along with my anxiety, my plan is to make my campsite as comfortable as possible. Air mattress, fans, mister, shower, ice packs, tapestries and bed linens from home, and activities that I find comforting, like iPod speakers and stuff for grilling food. I think that carving out a little slice of home and a little sanctuary, even if it means a little overpacking, is a good tool to battle anxiety. I doubt I'll want to retreat at any point but the idea that I CAN if I need to is good medicine in and of itself.
kind of in a rush so i'll make this post quick! I went to the doctor, talked for a good hour and a half, she said i do have some anxiety issues(gave me a card for a psychiatrist, lol) but said she thinks that my issue is scabies... I was prescribed Hydroxyzine for the itching and restlessness. I took it last night in combination with 2 benodryl, couldnt fall asleep, and the itching was godawful anyways. I couldnt sleep til around 2 am when i took 2 melatonin. Are hot baths and showers bad for scabies? What are the quickest remedies to kill them and the eggs on my body if they really are the issue?!?! Like, before bonnaroo quick. Ive taken care of my home and bed, now I just need to kill them off me! Just remember, it has been almost 3 months since they started, so its pretty bad.... :[
Also, I know there are tons of websites about it, but they all have differing information, so i trust you all a lot more!
Post by sufficientlyvague on Jun 1, 2011 16:03:38 GMT -5
Hi Joey, I'm glad you saw your doctor. She is the one who examined you, got your history, etc.and she is a professional so take her advice and take the medicine she prescribed. Hot baths do provide relief for scabies and will not make it any worse. In addition to your prescribed meds, I recommend a home remedy for the itch relief. Lye Soap. You can’t get it in walgreens or CVS stores anymore because manufacturers hardly make it anymore. I know Ace Hardware stores carry it in the laundry section. One brand is called Grandma’s Lye Soap. Take your hot bath and use the soap in the bath just like any other soap. It does not suds up like other soaps. After the bath dry off and apply the cream the Dr. prescribed. I do not know if she wanted you to still take the topical steriod creme or not. Let that cream get absorbed into the skin. Wait until the skin is not greasy with the cream and then apply a paste made out of the lye soap and water (or just soften the soap bar with water). Apply this pasty substance all over where you itch. It's okay if you put it where you don't itch yet. (it is cheap and the bar will last a long time) It will feel weird on your skin with thick dried soap all over but it is worth it if it stops the itch. Re-apply the paste as the itch returns but do not apply it around the same time as you apply any cream. The soap will dissolve the cream and you don’t want that. The cream needs to get absorbed first. Last summer I had over 300 chigger bites on my torso, (chiggers are also mites and are related to the scabies mite). I tried every home remedy under the sun and this lye-soap paste is the only thing that helped me. Each application gave me itch relief for about 6 hours. I even applied it to the existing raw open sores that I created in my itching frenzies and it helped dry them up. Try this to see if it helps. If not try something else. Everyone is different.
Edit. Call your local Ace Hardware store before you go and ask if they have it. I'd hate for you to waste your time driving there if they don't have it. Anotherplace to try is a vitamin shop or herbal market. Call them first.
kind of in a rush so i'll make this post quick! I went to the doctor, talked for a good hour and a half, she said i do have some anxiety issues(gave me a card for a psychiatrist, lol) but said she thinks that my issue is scabies... I was prescribed Hydroxyzine for the itching and restlessness. I took it last night in combination with 2 benodryl, couldnt fall asleep, and the itching was godawful anyways. I couldnt sleep til around 2 am when i took 2 melatonin. Are hot baths and showers bad for scabies? What are the quickest remedies to kill them and the eggs on my body if they really are the issue?!?! Like, before bonnaroo quick. Ive taken care of my home and bed, now I just need to kill them off me! Just remember, it has been almost 3 months since they started, so its pretty bad.... :[
Also, I know there are tons of websites about it, but they all have differing information, so i trust you all a lot more!
I treat a ton of scabies in my inner city practice. I prescribe permethrin 5% cream which is the gold standard for treatment. It is to be applied, left on for 10-14 hours (overnight is great), and then shower off. Hydroxyzine is great for itching but you need to be careful combining with alcohol as it is a sedating agent.
Sometimes you need to retreat in a week.
I question why the provider you saw thought that it might be scabies but didn't treat it? these things are not going to go away on your own. With the additional description that you offered, that is certainly my first guess.
After doing some thinking, and talking to others, it can't be scabies. My girlfriend of 2 years and i have been very...close in these past 3 months, and she hasnt had any issues whatsoever with itching, and we see eachother just about everyday... The medications arent working either. My nights are absolutely dreadful and sleepless, full of raw incessant itching and I have no goddamn idea whats causing it. I bathed in neem oil twice today with no relief. I hate this. As of right now, it looks like I might have to sell my bonnaroo ticket.... which sucks. I havent had a vacation in years, and i've been looking forward to roo for months upon months...I hate this, :/