If you saw the picture in yesterday’s post, you know what I looked like when I went in to my doctor’s appointment yesterday.
Well, after I came out, I looked like this.
Quite a change, right?
(My photo editing program added some new features so I transformed a picture of myself, just for the fun of it, and then tried to think of a way to tie it into today’s blog post.) smile
Steve saw the picture this morning and gravely informed me that I have mixed Wonder Woman, Super Girl, and Bat Man. You can tell that Super Hero Literacy is not one of my gifts.
One of my faithful readers, Lesley (who is a nurse), nailed it when she said in her comment that it looked my cold sore had gotten infected. That’s exactly what the doctor said. I had actually started freaking out a little bit as I was headed in to the appointment because I was starting to see a rash on one arm and some sores on my leg and I wasn’t sure if the thing was getting ready to take over my entire body.
The condition is called impetigo, which can either be a staph or a strep infection; she didn’t test for which one it was because it would be the same treatment—heavy duty antibiotics taken 3 times a day for 10 days, and an antibiotic cream to be applied several times a day.
The worst part of the appointment was when she said I couldn’t wear make up for a week AND I had to throw all my makeup away!
I am one of those people whose face completely disappears without makeup and I have to admit that I feel quite insecure going out in public without it. At least my job doesn’t require me to be in contact with a lot of people; in the course of my work day, I usually just see other church staff members so that helps a little.
I sent Sarah to the grocery store for me yesterday so I wouldn’t have to make a public appearance with the rash still looking so alarming. II’s wonderful to have such a willing and able helper in my life. (And if she couldn’t have gone, Steve would happily have done so.)
At any rate, that’s the scoop on my mysterious ailment; thanks so much for your concern.
And to my readers in Manteo– if you see a body walking around with no face attached to it, well, that would be me.
I had impetigo once when I was kid. I think that I was in kindergarten at the time. I hope that it is all behind you now.
So happy that they knew what to do about your rash and sores. Thankfully it’s not lasting for a month, but a few days. I had cataract surgery last year and I was not to use ANY eye makeup – REALLY??? I wore sunglasses most of the time even if I really didn’t have to. I don’t go anywhere without my eyeliner and mascara. Now here it is almost one year ago that I had the operation on the first eye – time sure goes quickly and I’m sure it will go quickly for you.
Sharyn,
No eye make up is NOT a good thought. I don’t blame you for pulling out the sunglasses! 🙂
Im glad to hear everything is on the up and up. I’m sure you look just as beautiful without makeup! You can add your photo to the celeb’s with no makeup in People magazine =)
And, is that a nose ring in your photo? Sure looks like it 😉
Kristina,
Nope, no nose jewelry but I have to agree with you that it does look like it!
Becky:
My newborn son developed impetigo while he was in the hospital. Many of the babies who were in the hospital also were infected. The outbreak was caused by the virus that was located on a water handle. The pediatrician’s recommendations were equally as gross as your doctor’s. He had to take a liquid antibiotic. We had to bathe him with Dove soap (effective but not drying) several times a day and put him under a bright light 4 times a day. The worst part was that he couldn’t wear a diaper for 10 day! Our pediatrician may have been a little bit overzealous but we had to see him every day for 10 days. I had a c-section so driving to the doctor’s office was a real treat.
I have had several serious eye infections in the past and had to throw away all my make up. Each time was a financial disaster.
Good luck with your impetigo regimen.
Debbie Patton
(P.S. I’ve really enjoyed your progress as a photographer over the years. You and “Mr. Nikon” are quite good!)
Debbie,
Oh my. No diapers and driving to the doctor (after a C-section) every day? You deserve a Great Mother Award! I can’t imagine having a whole group of babies with that infection all at the same time.
And just so you know that we really do take reader’s comments seriously, Steve saw what you wrote about Dove soap and went straight to the grocery store to get me some! 🙂
Thanks for the comment about my photography; taking pictures makes me happy.
I’m glad that they figured out the cause so quickly and I hope it resolves very quickly too. It looks so painful- does it hurt? I hope not!! Don’t worry about the makeup- you are beautiful with and without it.
Jenna,
It doesn’t really hurt except when I open my mouth to eat or brush my teeth and the scabs crack. It also can be a bit itchy and tight-feeling but I’m just hoping that every day it will get better. (It doesn’t look a whole lot better at this point but I’ll keep hoping!)
Becky, your fine features are lovely without the makeup. The best gift I gave my skin was to stop wearing makeup. I don’t have your delicate features, but just the time I saved getting ready in the morning was worth it. Mascara and lipstick do the trick. Hope the infection clears up asap!
Liz,
Yep, mascara and lipstick would by minimum make up, too, if I only could choose two items. We think alike!
I was playing catch up on your post as I just returned from holidays so I hadn’t read this before reading your earlier post. On top of getting rid of your makeup, make sure that any washcloth that you use goes immediately to laundry as it is quite contagious. It usually clears up quite quickly. I am sure you look quite lovely without makeup anyway. 🙂
Mel
I’m getting ready to put in a big load of linens, as well as my pillowcase and wash them on the hottest hot!
From what I understand, I stop being contagious 24-48 hours after starting antibiotic so I will be happy when that time arrives. (Later this afternoon.)
You are still look lovely sans makeup.
Steve,
Well, you’ve certainly seen me at my very best and worst through the years so I’m glad you still think so!
Glad to hear you are on antibiotics by mouth. Impetigo can be aggressive, but you went into the dr right away so all will be well. My second son had it a couple of times. Keep towels separate and change your pillowcase often, washing in hot water. OK, nurse’s cap off now 🙂
Lesley,
Always glad to get great advice from a great nurse!
Back in my youth (yes I can remember that far back) the treatment for this was a Rx liquid that was applied to the infected locations. The med was a deep Purple in color, so there was no hiding it. Fortunately for me I never was infected. Fortunately for you the treatment has changed! Take your med’s!
John,
Whew–I’m glad they changed it to another color! That’s ALL my face needs is bright red stores festooned with bright purple medication!
A superhero doesn’t need makeup! Get better soon – replacing ALL the makeup is what will really hurt!
Mary,
Fortunately, I don’t wear expensive make up, just the products from the local drug store. But still, re-buying it all at the same time won’t be fun. Thankfully Steve came in the door yesterday holding a 25% off coupon for all purchases at the place I shop; that will sure help!
I didn’t have the chance to comment on yesterday’s post. Very happy to hear “only” impetigo which many friends had during our childhood up here. So sorry about the makeup, but it’s all contaminated anyway! I was very ill in May and had to throw out my makeup … still haven’t replaced it! Not brave, just not in the budget. Fortunately, I rarely have to deal with visitors at work and family & friends love me either way.
So thank God for an easy (though naked feeling) fix! Way to go Super Wonder Bat Girl! Love the pic!
Guerrina,
Super Wonder Bat Girl thanks you for your comment. 🙂
your feet look backwards….. ????
hope you’re on a quick road to recovery….
Mrs. Pam,
Hmmmmm . . . . backwards feet. It may be a part of the confused superhero melding of several characters. 🙂
Glad you have a treatment. I had to go without makeup years ago for two weeks due to eye lid infection and I did work in the public. Know how you feel about that. What photo editing program do you use? Think I ask once before but forgot. Glad things are looking up even with having to take those Meds. Praying for peace for Sarah especially on Wed and Thurs. Had the same procedure done last August.
Ann,
I use a little Photoshop but mostly picmonkey.com. There is a free part of it and then a part that costs $5 a month which I use, because it’s well worth it.
Thanks for your prayers for Sarah; today and tomorrow won’t be too much fun for her but we’re hoping for a clear result and she won’t need to do this again for a long time!
so glad it wasn’t anything more major. Incidentally you are beautiful with or without makeup. Glad you are better.
Gail,
Thanks for your sweet words about makeup-less me. 🙂 I am hopefully well on the road to recovery.
Becky,
Thanks for the update. After the picture yesterday, you had many folks concerned, I am sure. You are a Wonder Super Bat Girl – even without a face!!! It’ll get better. Glad you got a diagnosis and relatively easy fix!
Ann,
Thanks for your sweet words.
Signed,
Faceless Person 🙂