Rash that follows fever

[hope723]

For the past 6 years or so, every time I have a fever, within 2 days I break out in a rash all over my body. Each time it occurs, it covers more of my skin than the previous time. The first day it starts to show, it barely itches. The second day, it becomes nearly unbearably itchy. If I scratch, or my clothes do, after a few second that area will sting and burn. The burning and itching is also triggered by heat and warm moisture. It makes sleeping (and just about anything else) nearly impossible. I've found that prednisone will make it dry up and go away. I'm currently fighting an infection and cannot take prednisone, and am stuck with my rash for the next 11 days. I don't know what to do. And I want to find the solution, whether it be dietary or whatever else, so this will stop happening...

[hope723]

Also, in case you were curious, to avoid flare-ups, I wore loose fitted clothing made of soft fabric; took cool showers (not even warm) when showering was necessary, but didn't use soap (caused burning and stinging); kept the house cool with air constantly circulating and fans running; avoided anything that would cause adrenaline.. no exercise, even excited conversation could cause flares, etc.; avoided heat and humidity; applied nothing to my skin; and did whatever I could to not scratch! Counting, singing, watching TV, whatever!

[hope723]

Thank you for taking the time to respond! Because the rash shows first in areas where major lymph nodes are locations, I've been curious as to if it could be autoimmune. I'm currently seeing a rheumatologist and we are doing blood work and other labs to rule things out.

For this episode, because I could not take prednisone to stop the rash, I stopped life. I stopped cooking, cleaning, going out, etc. and staying on the couch as much as possible to not cause my skin to flare up. Friends brought meals and I took leave of my responsibilities. Within a week, the rash was beginning to heal. I've never had the rash cover so much of my body, yet start to heal so quickly. I was anxious and stressed without realizing it, and my body needed me to stop. So I did, and I am much better. The rash no longer itches and it healing still.

I'm still pursuing testing to find out if there is an underlying cause I can deal with to prevent the rash in the future or to know better how to treat the rash if it isn't preventable.

I hope this helps someone who may be ill, or staying ill, because they are not stopping to rest and let their body heal to stop and relax and let their body do the amazing work it can do when it is not under stress!!

Best regards

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to 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.
In your case, viral infection may be causing the fever and hives.

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.