Itchy Skin Rash +1 Week In Duration

[TheSaint97]

I've had this itchy red skin rash now for almost 2 weeks, and quite honestly have no idea what caused it.  The rash mainly consists of tiny red bumps all over my arms, upper thighs, back, chest, abdomen, and neck.  There is no fluid leakage like puss or blood, nor are there any boils.  Now parts of my skin are starting to blister / flake.  I am thinking it may be an allergic reaction but to what?  It can't be from anything that I've eaten because I already been tested to see what foods I'm allergic to.  Could this be a virus?  Bacteria infection?  Yeast?  I've attached pictures to this post.  I've been taking benadryl daily as well as cortisone cream.  This doesn't look to be going away anytime soon.  I would go to the doctor but I do not have any health insurance so I am hoping some professionals can help online.  Is there anything over the counter I can take to cure this?  Please help.  Thank you!

[stupiddumbgirlwhoshouldaknewbetter]

Have a read up on folliculitis generally.  Do your spots grow out of inflamed hair follicles?  If so, this is folliculitis and it is treatable.  There are many causes for folliculitis (and obviously, depending on the cause - the treatment will differ) so don't dwell on those per se right now - but take a look at the images and compare them to your own carefully and let me know what you think.  I can't tell because a photo is not really enough.  When I went to my derm with something similiar to what you have, he couldn't tell just by looking either.  He had to take a biopsy and it took 2 weeks for the results of that to come back.  That's why I recommend that you get your appointment booked because, if this rash is more than a flash in the pan, it may yet be 3 or 4 weeks before you get your diagnosis and that is long enough to wait.  

I would caution you though, that the examples you see might be a lot more extreme than your picture because the internet tends to dwell on the worst examples so do not let them sidetrack you because that is not relevant to you but they might give you something to compare your rash with and may help you be clearer in your mind about any questions you need to ask your derm.

Good luck.  Let me know how you get on.

[TheSaint97]

I scheduled a doctor visit for Monday.  I will be sure to let you know what it ends up being.  Thanks for the advice.

[stupiddumbgirlwhoshouldaknewbetter]

Sorry.  This could be a complete red herring and you probably don't have Pityrosporum at all.  This is relatively common though and tends to affect those who have skin which is more prone to it and also diabetics and those who have recently taken lots of antibiotics.  However, it also shows up randomly on all sorts of people.

However, if you want to get this treated (whatever it is) there is no getting away from that dermatology visit.  Money well spent.

[TheSaint97]

Thank you for the replies.  I will look into it further with a dermatologist.  As far as I know I'm not diabetic or glucose intolerant.  No, I have not been on antibiotics either.  This is why i ams o puzzled because I have no idea what caused this rash.  I will keep you updated and I definitely welcome extra feedback.  Thanks.

[stupiddumbgirlwhoshouldaknewbetter]

I just looked at the picture again and it is worth considering whether this is folliculitis.  Are you diabetic or glucose intolerant?  This would make the chances of it being folliculitis a little higher.  Have you recently been on a long course of antibiotics?  It is worth considering the possibility of pityrosporum folliculitis.  Do you have dandruff?  That would be a clue.

Bottom line - you will need to see a derm and get a biopsy or a scraping done so that this can be treated.  It may cost money but it will make you feel so much better.  

[stupiddumbgirlwhoshouldaknewbetter]

It is widespread.  I would hope very much that this is down to your detergent.  It does look more like an allergic reaction to me.  If it was scabies you should be seeing your nearest and dearest suffering and itching alongside you and that would be very, very obvious.  Also, you would find that you were itching a lot more at night time in bed.  It does not look to me like scabies though either.  Although scabies can present atypically, especially in people with good hygiene.  It does not look like the yeast rashes that I have seen either but that does not necessarily mean that it is not one.  

If it is your detergent - you should start to get relief very soon.  

I agree.  You should find a way to see a dermatologist.  I think that has to be a priority.    Let us know what happens.

[TheSaint97]

Thanks for your reply Martika.  No I do not have the rash on my hands actually.  I had a pharmacist look at the rash and she said she is pretty sure it isn't scabies because she had them at one time, and said mine looks more like an allergic reaction.  It is quite possible that it is the soap and detergent I've been using.  So I switched to Dove unsented which is for very sensitive skin.  I hope this rash subsides soon.  Until then I would greatly appreciate everyone's opinion on what this could be.  Thanks.

[martikadragoon]

To me it looks like it could be a scabies type infection. Some ppl get blistering but when I had it as a teen (my brother brougth the darn things home) I had a rash VERY similar to yours with bumps all over. it's treated with a topical cream/jel. I believe it's prescription only though.
If it is scabies your extremely contagious until you get treatment and can pass it on to family members.

is it affecting your hands? between your fingers?

it could also be an allergic reaction as you said, so you can also try changing your soap, lotion, clothing materials, and laundry detergent. you really should consult a doctor if at all possible.