Odd Rash

I have this odd rash that started over the weekend. It seems to have gotten progessively better over the last few days, but still persists.  It starts in the morning as a pink pin-type rash on my palms, hands, arms and legs - it is smaller pink dots with white circles around them. From 8am to 1pm the rash on my palms disappears and the the rash on my arms and legs gets blotchier and somewhat itchy with some of the spots taking on a wheal pattern.  By the time I go to sleep the rash is nearly gone and when I wake up in the morning the rash is completely gone.  But by about 8am the cycle starts over.  The rash doesn't itch - at least I don't think it does but I have been on Zyrtec, Benadryl and Hydrocortozone cream. I don't have a fever, swollen glands or any other symptoms.  I have seen two Nurse Practictioners and one Doctor who all think its an allergic reaction - I just find it weird that it disppears at night.   I'm just concerned with how long this will last.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it sounds like hives. Hives 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.

Many cases of hives are "idiopathic," meaning no cause is known. Others may be triggered by viral infections or medications. The treatment of hives consists of antihistaminics, calamine lotion and steroids. So please get the diagnosis confirmed from a dermatologist.

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.