Rashes...so many rashes...

Recently Ive been getting so many rashes its rediculous.  I had a horrible rash all over my chest and neck and chin, and realized (after putting some on my wrist) that I was allergic to my boyfriends shampoo because the spot i put it on my wrist blew up in a swollen rash.  He stopped using it.  The rash gradually went away, but now its coming back a little, in like spots on my chest.  Theres a couple of patches of rash.  And randomly a patch on my wrist (not where I put the shampoo) and now on my palm.  I havent come in contact with any poison ivy, oak, sumac, or any poison plant.  Im a serious hypochondriac and seriously freaking out.  why do i have a rash?? Is this a symptom of like cancer or something serious...I can barely sleep at night...

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
These rashes can be due to contact dermatitis or pityriasis rosea.  Pityriasis rosea is a common human skin disease which presents as numerous patches of pink or red oval rash. The rash may be accompanied by low-grade headache, fever, nausea and fatigue and sometimes by itching.

No treatment is usually required. In most patients, the condition lasts only a matter of weeks or months(upto six months).

I hope it helps. 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.