Persistent bumps/itchy rash on skin

Several weeks ago, small red bumps began appearing on my lower legs.  They are extremely itchy and seem to flare up at night.  I thought they were some sort of insect or mite.  Since then they have spread all over my legs, hips, sides into armpits and underside of arms.  I saw the doctor at my university, and they said it was curious as she had seen several other cases like mine that same day.  She said they do not know what it really is, and gave me a week long steroid regimen, claritin and calamine lotion.  I began this and my symptoms seemed to subside.  However during this time, my boyfriend has complained of some bumps and itching on his wrists and now legs.  I am still taking the claritin and applying calamine, but now that the steroids are gone, it is flaring up and spreading to my neck and chest in a red rash flares up severely at night and is barely helped with the calamine.  I do not have any other insurance except for that offered through the school.. so I cannot see a specialist that may have a better idea of what I am dealing with.  Please help me identify my condition..  Thank you!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Since the symptoms are present more at night, so scabies is an important possibility to be ruled out. 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.

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 dermatologist. Treatment can be started only when the diagnosis is confirmed. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.