My Creeping Rash: Hives? Contact Dermatitis? Pictures in Profile!

Hi, all--

Last summer I had a thyroid problem (subacute thyroiditis) that now seems to be under control. It did, however, trigger a bunch of other stuff, including these weird red rashes on my hands and forearms that come and go. Mainly they occur at night and disappear after I sleep and wake up. I've had them since last August, through the winter, too (so it doesn't seem to be related to heat, at least not to heat only).

This year I've traveled twice--once to Mexico, once to China--and both times the rash has been out of control. When I was in China, the rash started just after waking up and got worse and worse as the day went on, and it was worse every subsequent day, eventually moving up past my elbows and later beginning around my ankles. My skin was never covered during these times, so it's not a "trapped heat" thing.

I've uploaded a photo of an evening rash to my profile page in hopes that someone can help me! I've mentioned this to my GP and to my allergist, but I never have the rash when I see them.

Some other info: only medicine I take is the occasional Zyrtec for allergies, and I self-administer allergy shots (not build-up therapy, just toleration therapy) once or twice a week. I avoid wheat/gluten and don't eat any refined or added sugar.

Any help you can provide would be amazing!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it can be urticaria or hives. Hives (medically known as urticaria) are red, itchy, raised areas of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes. They have a tendency to change size rapidly and to move around, disappearing in one place and reappearing in other places, often in a matter of hours.
Avoid using any lotions and creams for the meantime. 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. If the symptoms still persist then you can apply mild steroid like dermacort. For the itching antihistaminics like Benadryl or Claritin can be taken.

If the symptoms are worse then please get an evaluation done from a dermatologist.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[lasttales]

Many thanks. The rash seems to be triggered by heat, sun, and sweat--so I'm just trying to keep my activity under a certain threshold. Many thanks again for the response!