Kristen Jordan Shamus

Detroit Free Press

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has begun to investigate the rashes that have plagued many Flint residents since the city changed its water source to the Flint River in 2014.

“A key message that I have for folks is that we’re taking the rash concerns very seriously because we know that this obviously is a worry,” Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, told the Free Press Tuesday.

About a dozen calls to report rashes were made last week to the United Way’s 2-1-1 help line or to the public health emergency coordination center in Lansing, Wells said.

“A couple calls were clustered together, and we said, 'This is important. There clearly is a concern here, and let’s make sure that this is fully investigated.' ”

The state will get help from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the federal Environmental Protection Agency in doing the investigation, which involves enhanced testing, home visits and surveys, said Wells, who also is clinical associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan.

Bernadette Burden, a spokeswoman for the CDC, said Tuesday that the agency will provide technical support to the state as it develops protocols and questionnaires.

“We’re providing information to them. This is very much a process that’s evolving," Burden said.

But already, Wells said, interviews are under way in Flint.

DEQ chief: EPA dragged feet in Flint crisis for months

"They have actually done enhanced surveys, asking lots of questions about soaps and allergies and also how long their water may have been affected, what kind of house they live in, the water system, and they’re also taking water samples."

Christeen Lawson, 64, who lives on Hobson Avenue in Flint, said she wasn’t sure what caused the red, bumpy rash on her feet and legs that started soon after the city first changed the source of its water, and residents started reporting foul-smelling, oddly colored water flowing through their taps.

“It started when the water got bad,” Lawson said. “I didn’t know what it was coming from. I thought it was from being allergic to plums or whatever I was eating. It just started happening. … I didn’t want to believe the people that said the water could do that stuff to you.”

Lawson said she started taking showers instead of baths, hoping it would help the hot, itchy skin, but there's been little reprieve.

“I scratch until it bleeds sometimes,” she said.

“I never did go to the doctor for it. I was drinking the water. At the time, I didn’t know about the lead. Then my oldest daughter called and said, 'Momma, I heard you’re drinking the water. Don’t drink that water.' But I had to drink something. I wasn't going to dehydrate. I didn't have no choice. I didn’t have no way to get no water, and I didn't know they was delivering it.”

When the switch was made to the Flint River water from Lake Huron in 2014 as a cost-saving measure, corrosion-control chemicals were not used to prevent lead and copper in pipes from leaching into the tap water. Even though Flint started using water from Lake Huron again in October, the damage is done and pipes continue to leach lead.

Free Press photographer took Time cover picture

“We know that lead itself does not cause rashes, but there might be water in certain home systems, maybe water that sits stagnant in the hot-water heaters, or other metals or something," Wells said. "Late last week, I had assurances that we did not see evidence of a bacteria problem, and that these rashes do not appear consistent with bacteria."

Lawson's 5-year-old granddaughter has rashes, too.

“She’s got an appointment with the doctor tomorrow,” Lawson said, where she'll be tested for lead poisoning.

Wells said that's an important first step for anyone suffering from a rash or who has concerns about lead poisoning.

"When I talk to pediatricians, there are so many different causes of rashes," Wells said. "So people are encouraged to go to their primary care physicians and get the medical evaluation first, and then we actually have the ability for either health care providers or others to further contact us to see whether it’s the water. Individuals also could call the 2-1-1 United Way line."

People who don't have a primary care physician, are uninsured or under-insured can seek help from the health clinic in the McCree Building at the Genesee County Health Department, Wells said.

"They can get enrolled with primary care provider there, and they don’t have to have insurance and such. So the local health department will get them access. And if they’re having trouble with that, they can call 211."

Dr. Walter Barkey, a dermatologist in Flint, said he hasn't seen large numbers of patients reporting rashes. But, he noted, the people who've been most affected by the city's water crisis are those least likely to be able to afford the care of a specialist, like a dermatologist.

Earley's lawyer says he'll accept subpoena if issued

Barkey also serves on the board of the Whaley Children's Center, a residential treatment center for abused kids in Flint. He treats those children free, and said even among them — some of the most disadvantaged and at-risk children — he hasn't seen a rise in rashes.

"There are kids out there with skin problems, and people always try to connect one thing to another," Dr. Barkey said. "It might not be direct cause and effect."

Eczema, he said, is pretty common, and people with eczema tend to be most sensitive to changes in water.

"I do sometimes notice people who have their skin change when they use well water, switch to city water and back," Barkey said. "But it does not cause a problem in someone who doesn’t have a problem. ... People with eczema can be more irritated by it than other folks."

He said that people who have a history of eczema and are noticing skin irritation should take short, luke-warm baths or showers, and apply a thick moisturizer afterward. When eczema flares, he said a topical steroid cream can also help.

Wells urged people with skin problems to seek medical help.

"I’ve heard some anecdotal stories where some people may be using things on their skin to help with the rash, which may be causing some harm. Bleach products and such can actually hurt," she said. "I would suggest talking with their health providers so they don’t make the rash worse or cause themselves harm."

She said researchers also are investigating reports of hair loss.

"There are a lot of people working to address their concerns and to get them good information," said Wells. "The minute we have that, we want to share that with you all. We’re taking it very seriously and investigating to the utmost of our ability."

Contact Kristen Jordan Shamus: 313-222-5997 or kshamus@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kristenshamus.

How to get help

Flint-area residents in need of medical services can reach out to the Genesee County Health Department, McCree Building South Health Center, 630 S. Saginaw St., Suite 4 or call 810-257-3612. For more, go to http://www.gchd.us/.

The United Way of Genesee County also is helping with the water crisis. Help, resources and information is available by calling 2-1-1. For details, go to http://www.unitedwaygenesee.org/

Flint residents who need crisis counseling can call the state's Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990 or text "TalkWithUs" to 66746.

Flint residents: The Detroit Free Press wants to hear from you. We want to know where your city needs help most. What are the questions you still need answered? Help us share the stories we've missed so far, the stories the world needs to know. Reach out to Free Press staffers by emailing WhatFlintNeeds@freepress.com.