Persistant Facial Rash and Upper Body Rash

I have had a rash on my face and neck for almost 2 months now.  It seems to be persistant, but at times it is worse then others.  Looks like I have been out in the sun.  Not itchy, but I can definetly feel it being warm at times.  Scalp itches a bit.

The rash also seems to come and go on my upper body including chest, back and stomach on a daily bases in different places but not constant like the facial and neck rash.

Rash showed up about a week or so after I felt like I had cold/flu symptoms - may be coincidental, but has not gone away.

Went to dermatologist and he spent no more then 3 minutes with me, told me it was Contact Dermatitis and tried to sell me shaving cream before prescribing a cortisteroid cream.

I did have period of a couple of months where I was extremely stressed out.  Again....could be coincidental.

Ideas?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Your symptoms are suggestive of 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.

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.

[1concerned67]

Thanks...heading to the Doctor tomorrow.  Primary Care Dr. could not figure it out and didn't seem to even have a clue.  Will see what a Dermatologist has to say.

What kind of viral infections can set off a rash that would stick around for almost 2 months?  I have not changed any medications so that is most likely not the culprit.

Tried Benadry...no effect.

I

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Urticaria, or hives, is truly not one disease, but a reaction pattern of the skin. They are of two types: acute and chronic(when hives persist for more than 6 weeks). The most likely triggers for acute urticaria are allergies to pets, horses, latex and foods, such as shellfish and nuts,bee or wasp stings, allergies to medicines,Viral infections, such as glandular fever and herpes, dental and sinus infections, fungal infections, blood transfusions and vaccines.

The cause of chronic urticaria is often more difficult to identify. Most cases are called chronic idiopathic urticaria, which means they're caused by the body's unexplainable development of antibodies to itself (auto-antibodies).
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.