Itching Bumps

[UnluckyKid]

Hello Dr., for the past few months I have had terribly itchy bumps in different areas of my body. The itching first started around fall last year, on my stomach, with no bumps. Then all of a sudden, they started appearing on my arms, legs, buttocks and genital regions. They've never appeared on my face, feet or back. The bumps are the same color as my skin (brown), and don't appear to be filled with any fluid like puss. The most affected areas right now are my mostly on my lower body - my genitalia, the back of my legs, and my buttocks. Nothing like this has ever happened to me, and I don't have any known allergies. I am a 23 yr. old  African-American male, and I have been practicing abstinence since June of '09. I partake in good hygiene, I'm actually somewhat of a "germaphobe". In December of last year, I went to the Take Care Clinic at Walgreens. The doctor there felt as if I had scabies, and gave me permethrin cream to treat it. I washed my sheets and clothes in hot water as told. This did nothing to help problem. Around late-Jan./early-Feb., I went to another clinic...in which I feel the Dr. there mistakenly diagnosed me with "genital warts". Hopefully that isn't in my medical records, and the Dr. gave me nothing to help.  My mother felt it could be a new allergy, for a while I was eating nothing but pizza, she said I could have been allergic to the sauce, dough or meat (since I don't eat pork). However, I am not obese, and have also stopped eating such fatty foods. As a matter of fact some consider me to be underweight due to my height (6'1", roughly 135 lbs.). I thought it could have been a heat rash....everyone had a different diagnosis but no cure. I feel as if I've tried everything, I've used antibiotics, Benadryl, Hydrocortisone, other products/creams for insect bites and itching, eczema lotion, etc... NOTHING seems to work. The only thing I can do to soothe the itching is take an EXTREMELY hot shower, so hot that when I touch it with my hands I sometimes have to snatch them back. It may sound crazy, but it helps for a few hours. About a week ago, everything seemed to have cleared up, only to appear again over the past few days. This has happened once before, but every time the itching comes back. I don't know what else I can do, I'm normally quite laid-back and calm but this is really starting to frustrate and worry me, I just wish it could all be over with. Please help me if you can.

Thanks

[UnluckyKid]

Okay, I appreciate your help. Dr. Kaur. I'm sorry for taking so long to respond, I've been pretty busy over the past few weeks, and did not anticipate such a quick response. I'm still having the same problem, so I will try and get in contact with a dermatologist as soon as possible and keep you updated.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to allergies, viral infections or hives. Even hot water can cause xerosis skin which can cause itching. I suggest you to get it evaluated from a dermatologist. Till then, use a mild cleanser with moisturizing properties like Cetaphil. Also use cotton clothes and change the clothes twice if there is any increased sweating. Try keeping the skin free of sweat as far as possible. Also take an oral antihistaminic like Benadryl or Claritin. Topical steroids may also be used after a dermatologist’s consultation.

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.