Bump city

My son came home from being at the beach for 4 days and he stated that he has all these bumps.  I asked him to let me see and he took off his shirt and he has hundereds of bumps on him, i mean enough that it would take you two or three days to count them and some are very heavy in areas like around the nipple area and down towards his short line on the stomack it goes up and around the neck line  also.  He stated that they do not itch but you can tell where he was scratching at one time.  I have to say i have seen bumps before but not like this.  His whole stomach is covered.  they look like pimples or a heat rash.  His body is cool and he has no fever. what could this be????

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Such bumps on whole of body can be due to viral infections or allergic reaction. I suggest you to get an evaluation done from a physician.
Till that time, avoid using any lotions and creams for the meantime. Use a mild cleanser with moisturizing properties like baby soap and apply calamine lotion on the itchy skin. Also use cotton clothes and change the clothes twice.
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 doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.