Extremely Itchy Skin on Neck and Upper Back (Cont.)

I feel better now that I've found others that are going thru the same hell as I ‘am.

I'm a 29 y/o male that works in a high stress, fast paced medical office in California. Symptoms started when I was at a friend’s house about 6 months ago... Came home, top of my left foot was really itchy, red patchy skin developed, I thought maybe I was a reaction to a bite from a flea/tick (they have pets). That went away a few days later... But on the coming weeks it got worse, spread out to other body parts. Just like others have said.. I don’t think its directly related to stress, but maybe a "trigger". I would get flare ups at night... Arms, neck, chest, back, buttocks, upper legs, lower legs. I also developed small white-head like pimples on my chest that can be easily scratched off. Benadryl helped with the itching...Now taking Claritin (non-drowsy). Symptoms did not go away so then I pursued medical treatment, made an appointment with my PCP for a physical; I discussed everything I was going thru. He ordered routine blood work, results came back negative. He then referred me to a dermatologist. She told me the basics... Change harsh soaps/shampoos/detergents and to not use hot water for showers and prescribed some creams (expensive). Creams helped with symptoms, but really looking for a diagnosis and treatment. She also ordered ANA blood test and received notice that it was positive. Now we are on to something... I have a follow up app in a few weeks. During work I sometimes feel it coming on... red blotches on the back of my neck, back of head and sometimes even on my face.  Symptoms have settled down since then... I get a flare ups maybe once a week, opposed to one every other day.

I'd like to mention a few possibly common facts...
1. I've notice my skin is now highly sensitive. I can scratch my name across my arm and my skin welts. Known as Dermatographic urticaria, I also get a mild rash on dorsal side of hand when wearing latex gloves which goes away after 15 minutes or so.
2. I sometimes feel temporary "bone pain" when there’s a slight hit to hand or even when opening bottles. This symptom does not always occur.
3. Not sure if this is somehow related, I purchased a "memory foam" bed around the same time I initially developed symptoms. I've read that they are heavily saturated with anti-flammable retardants which might be the cause.
4. I have a very mild toe nail infection, which I apply a brush-on ointment day and night. I did stop treatment for a few months thinking this might be the cause, but symptoms continued.
5. My eyes tend to be red/pink when I wake up in the morning...I've been using Visine for the past few years, daily.
6. Diet consists of sandwiches, possible rye in bread causing reaction? No trauma, no known allergies.

In conclusion could I have an auto-immune disease, skin infection, lupus, cancer?
I will post back with any updates that might help others.

p.s.-my apologies for the bad grammar, thank you all for sharing your stories.


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