Rash

[Baric]

Hello,

Until couple of months ago I didn't have any major rash in my life. It might be worth mentioning that the appearance of this rash coincided with me moving to a new apartment, starting to use a new type of detergent and a new shower gel. It is kind of periodical and sporadic and the itching sometimes disappears for few days, and than returns again. From time to time the bumps appear on different parts of my body: my back, my shoulders, my butt, my arms, my thighs, around my knees, around my ankles...

I've took a few pictures, I hope they will be helpful:

http://img207.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p3240005.jpg

The upper photo is from the side of my body, this is how it usually looks when it appears. After some scratching (I sometimes cannot resist it) the bumps may turn red and swollen.

http://img216.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p3240006.jpg

This is a photo of my back.

I went to see a dermatologist who prescribed me with some pills and a cream and told me that it might well be a stress reaction. During the time I was taking the medication the rash almost completely went away, but now it returned again.

I would really appreciate your opinions and I thank you in advance.

[Baric]

Thank you so much for your thorough and detailed answer. I'll let you know if I have any further questions.

Best regards!

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

This could be eczema, allergic rash, folliculitis. You need to wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites.

Apply calamine lotion at the site of the lesions and see if it helps. You could take some oral antihistamine medications like cetrizine or loratadine. You need to maintain a good personal hygiene . Wear lose comfortable clothes. Wash all your linen and towels etc with a disinfectant solution.

Anti-itch drugs, often antihistamine, may reduce the itch during a flare up of eczema, and the reduced scratching in turn reduces damage and irritation to the skin.

For mild-moderate cases a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone or desonide), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide).

Let us know if you need any further information.

It would be advisable to consult a skin specialist for the symptoms and a proper clinical examination.

[Baric]

Anyone???