Dr. Cranquis' Mumbled Gripes

Food Comas and Rashes

Hello Dr. Cranquis!

I have a two part question. 
After eating a meal, whether it be at breakfast, lunch, or dinner, (or a midnight snack), I tend to feel drowsy and sleepy after eating. I’m not sure as to why this happens most of the time, but it is starting to interfere with my school work at college. I do get about 6-8 hours of sleep every night and regardless of that, I still manage to feel sleepy/drowsy after eating. It has come to a point where I will skip my lunch break in between classes so that I do not fall asleep in class. Could you help me out and explain how to prevent this from happening?

Also, part two of my question is that I have gotten two rashes since the winter. They are located on my back left hip and do not seem to go away. I have tried searching what I have through the internet, but have only come across that it is a rash and believe that it is something else. At times, they will get very itchy regardless if I am wearing any clothing. I also noticed that when I do itch it, the ‘rash’ becomes itchier until it feels painful because I am breaking the skin to a point of very minor bleeding. If the rash is not itchy and I accidentally itch (or activate) the rash, then it becomes very itchy as well. I am unsure of what this is and how to go about treating it. 
Here is a picture of the ‘rash’: http://i41.tinypic.com/21brko6.png

I would like to hear what you have to say about these two topics and would appreciate the advice!

Thank you,
Fellow Tumblr 

Howdy! Now, let’s be clear: what you submitted was not a “two part question” — it’s two separate questions. I’ll let it slide… for now… :)

1) Your postprandial somnolence (feeling sleepy after eating) could be totally normal, or not. Hard to say, based on the few details you provided. If you were my real-life patient, I’d get some of these details out of you:

• Has this been going on all your life, or is it a recent development?
• Have you developed any symptoms consistent with a thyroid or adrenal condition?
• Does the amount of sleepiness vary, depending on whether the meal is high in protein vs carbohydrates?

And if nothing helpful came out of that search, along with some basic lab-work, I’d send you to either an endocrinologist or a sleep specialist for further evaluation. But for now, I gotta admit, I’m, uh, really not sure what to suggest?

2) The picture of your rash makes it a bit easier to understand what you’re describing. Your rash looks quite suspicious for either (a) some kind of contact dermatitis (Do you wear anything metallic or dyed that is in contact with those particular spots on your body? A wallet-chain, a belt, an iPod waist-strap, a fanny-pack? Something you wear during working out? You may be allergic to that), or (b) ringworm (Do you have any pets with hair problems? Do you participate in contact sports, such as football or wrestling?) My best advice, when it comes to rashes that don’t go away after trying basic over-the-counter creams for a couple weeks, is: let a doctor actually examine the rash. All the pictures and words in the world don’t outweigh the diagnostic value of being able to touch and see a rash in person.

Good luck! And no more two-for-one questions in the future, k?

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