Rashes

Rashes, rashes, go away
so little Luke can play

This is what I've been praying for. Luke's rashes started as small red insect-bite-like bumps on the face way back last April when we were still in Pinas. Upon doc's Rx, we gave him ointments, most of them steroid-based. For a time it worked, but the rashes began to appear again after the medication.

Come end of June, Luke at 4 months, we arrived here in Tokyo. One week after we got here, the rashes did not only worsen on the face -- it spread all over his body! Oh, we pity Luke as he has to endure the itchy creepy feeling with those red ugly creatures. He couldn't sleep at night (we, too!) and he scratched himself from time to time. Mittens were no good, so Dadi had to tie his hands and arms so he could not reach for his face to scratch on.

Mami, mami, I am sick
Call the doctor very quick!

Left with no other choice, to the doctor we went -- with no health insurance at all! Sensei gave us a new med -- steroid-free -- which we have been using until now. And we have to carry that ointment wherever we are coz we have to apply it on Luke's skin every now and then.

Rashes, rashes, go away
come again another day

NO! Please don't come back anymore! -- this is my cry. But they do come back, to my disappointment. So we frequent the doc's clinic -- once a week -- for more meds (coz he gives us good only for 1 week). Until last friday, he referred us to a hifuka (skin care specialist). So, a new ointment has been added to Luke's rash regimen.

It's been six months now, and would probably be counting more. But I put my hope in these ointments that they would help remove these rashes -- for good!

Rashes, rashes, go away
so little Luke can play!