An itch starts anywhere on my body, I itch it, it breaks out into small bumps in the area that I scratch.

[yoek]

Hello, I hope this website works out for me since my doctor hasn't been much help.

For the past 3-4 months, I've had random itching throughout my body. It starts off small, and it slowly becomes a spread itch that is so annoying it causes me to go insane at points.

I'll break it up into this:
1) Small bump comes.
2) I itch said bump
3) Small bump turns into more bumps
4) Bumps spread across area.

I've included a picture of this issue, the bumps are the same color as my skin, they're 100% under my skin, it almost seems as though my skin lifts itself up into different patterns (dependent on how I itch it I suppose? Which is usually pretty sporadically).

I honestly don't want this problem, it's so annoying, and it causes me serious problems with sleep.

I'd appreciate any help.

Thanks a lot.
Joe

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The first possibility that comes to my mind is of hives. Hives (medically known as urticaria) are red, itchy, raised areas of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes. They have a tendency to change size rapidly and to move around, disappearing in one place and reappearing in other places, often in a matter of hours.
So please get this possibility evaluated.

Till then, take some antihistaminic like Benadryl and apply some calamine lotion. If the symptoms persist then please get an evaluation done by a dermatologist. you may need topical and oral steroids.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[mooksmom]

I can't really see that pic good but what you describe sure sounds like classic hives. They often start as one "lesion" or bump that itches. Sometimes it will start in that same area over and over, but can start at any place on the body. When you scratch, it makes your body release histamines and they make more "bumps" and often in larger numbers or patterns, which is think is what the pix shows.
#1 STOP SCRATCHING...I know it is difficult, but once you start the scratching it will just exacerbate the hives and makes you feel like you are losing your mind....I have had them.
#2 you must try to find out what is causing them. That takes some detective work on your part. Any new clothes? new soap, wash soap, deodorants? colognes? What about stress in your life? Is anything going on that is really stressful that you can point to about the same time as the rash started?
Hives is one of the most frequent reasons that people come to the ER. Some know what the cause is and MANY don't know and never find out. They get treated and go home. I had them very bad, and it often looked like there were continents...YES! continents of hives on my hips and legs...they were that bad. I finally had to be put on a medication taken daily for about 6 months. When I got rid of the cause...my boyfriend at the time, the rashes stopped. TRUE STORY.
My best answer...stop scratching til you figure out what is causing them. Since I do not treat/diagnose without actually seeing...use the web and see what can be done to help you OR follow up with your MD. Best of luck to you...I know how annoying that is.