Little Red Itchy Bumps Spreading All Over

[gnwthwnd]

I apologize for this being such a long story but we are extremely irritated and just besides ourself of what it can be.  Both My husband & I seem to have the same issue.  This started 1 1/2 weeks ago after taking a trip to Tennesee for just two days.  On the way back, my husband started having little red spots on his ankles and legs.  The following couple of days, they were getting worse and spreading to thighs, groin, buttocks, waist and back and a couple on arms. I thought maybe chicken pox??? but no other symptoms and we have both had that as kids.   They were really itchy and heat seems to make his itch alot worse, he works outside.  A few days later, I started developing these same things, not near as many as his and not as itchy.  I thought I would use the only cream for itch I had, athletes foot cream even though it is not on my feet, located ankles, a few on my legs, back, stomach & shoulders.  It definately made my itch go away and the bumps not nearly as red but still exist.  He went to the doctor & they couldnt figure it out prescribing a round of steriods and an ointment in case of infection.  He has been using this but continues to stay itchy and the bumps seem to be spreading, getting more of them.  Hot water seems to make it worse and more prominent and severly itchy for him, water doesnt bother me. I have washed our bedding in hot hot water and all the clothes we used on our trip.  We have been doing online research and thought that maybe they were chiggers.  A lot of the old bumps are now reddish purple, still the same size and itch a little less while the others are still the same.  He went to a different doctor 2 days ago, saying it could be chiggers but wasnt sure, prescribing more steriods, no different cream.  Doc told him if they dont seem to get better, the next thing would be labs on the area.  The past 2 days we both seem to be getting a little better, the bumps looked like they were trying to clear a little and less itchy, but then this morning.....oh wow, we are both very itchy and seem to be getting more of these bumps.  He had just finished the first round of steriods, the ointment doesnt do anything for him.  I didnt see any more bumps on me this morning, just was itchy and my husband is the same way.  I came home & stripped looking to see why I was itchier.  I realized I was wearing the same socks as the trip and my lower akles below where my other bumps were are more itchy red bumps as well as new ones on my shoulders, back and legs....not a bunch more but all the less more.  I again used my athletes foot cream since it was helping the itchies before, now not itching but all the same I feel itchies all over....now I am probably just mental itchy.  We are very irritated, havent been able to sleep good in these almost 2 weeks, are afraid to even touch one another.  My kids dont have it but then again they didnt go on our trip.  I havnt seen any evidence of chiggers, bed bugs, we both have had chicken pox as kids, it doesnt look or sound like shingles or scabies because they are all over, some maybe closer together while others are sporatically placed.  I am now thinking it is not chiggers because they are spreading.  I have been reading of many people with the same unexplainable symptoms that just keep lasting with no hope or cure.  Does anyone have any ideas, possilbe treatments for such a weird issue.  Can anyone HELPPPP!!!

[rikrod]

mulluscious contagious

[QnTCoyote]

We have the exact same thing , with the exact same innefectual treatments, it's like we can't get anyone to listen and process the symptom description. It's absolutely not chiggers or scabies (no 'tracks' or under skin tails and uneffected by extra strength treatment of RID and prescription antibacterial, not flaking or damaged like psoriasis and slowly spreading like chicken pox. The tiny bumps are skin colored until you irritate or scratch them and then become more insanely itchy depending upon how much you scratch and if you sleep hot.
Not many folks on sites seem to have examined the bumps them themselves, but we did, and found that before the tiny bumps are disturbed by clothing or itching they have a minuscule crystalline looking 'sliver' or 'hair' in the center, which seems to be the cause of the initial irritation by either being irritating as it grows or as it is disturbed.
We cant find anyone with enough common sense (yes, this includes our dermatologist and doctor) to listen to the description and stop
trying to put a round peg in a square hole of common skin ailments- this is a Different thing!
We have also undergone long release steroid shots, and have used all the lotions and potions prescribed, to literally Zero avail, as the tiny bumps continue to slowly spread.
We agree! Help!

[Nixarrium]

Did you resolve your problem? Me and my girlfriend have same symptoms.

[Damit14]

I did the scab treatment 2 times no scabs . still have tinny red dots that once scratched get larger and bleed. to meds for infection. with no help. 2 kinds of itching meds with no help. they itch all the time. I have washed every thing I own in hot water. have not changed anything. Itching all the time. feet legs arms, fingers. back. just every where what is it! need help soon!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
If the bumps are itchy and all of you are having it, then the possibility of scabies is important to be ruled out. It is an infestation of the skin with the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. It is characterized by intense itching, usually at night and by small insect-type bites lesions on the skin. Diagnosis of scabies is made by scraping the skin and viewing the material under a microscope to see the characteristic mite or eggs.
The usual treatment of scabies is topical permethrin. It is the most effective scabicidal medication. Usually applied overnight and repeated weekly once for 2-3 weeks. The skin should be cool and dry before applying the anti-scabies medications. Avoid taking hot water baths before as this will cause the medication to be absorbed deeper. To be effective, the medication has to act on the superficial layers where the mite and its larvae reside.

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.

[maatson]

Scabies. Entire family needs permethin 5% application once a week for two applications(Oral ivermectin in some countries).Do consult your doc.