Red Bumpy Growing Line Skin Rash on Back of Hand

My History:  I have been diagnosed with excema before but in the past 10 years every single time I notice even a small amount of flare up, i put on cortisone 1.0% creme and it goes away in a day

My Rash:  I was on a 20 hour flight 5 days ago when I noticed a small (pencil eraser sized) raised area of skin on the center of the back of my left hand.  It did not itch.

2 days later there is a raised line about 1/4 of an inch long.  I scratched it once or twice but not that much.  One day later the line grows to about 2 inches and another line starts forming above it.  It grows from 1/8 of an inch to more than 1/4 of an inch the next day.

These lines do not itch that much and are not painful.  There seems to be some heat sensation on the back of my hand but I don't know if that's from the cortisone or not..  I continue to treat with cortisone 1.0% creme and ointment and it is not getting better but seems to not be spreading as fast.

I have no other symptoms of weakness, sickness, and have no stress.

I'm thinking I could have come into contact with something on the airplane, or about 7 days ago I was hiking through bushes which I could have touched a little poison oak but I thought the irritation was immediate.


Note:  The blue lines I drew on to see if the lines spread the night before... I do have an appointment w/ the derm tomorrow..

[askthetrainer]

Here is a up-to-the-minute picture...
http://img6.tinypic.info/files/uf6lz7jjg6at23iii89r.jpg

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it looks like a rash due to poison ivy. Symptoms include redness and itching of the skin, development of rash and sometimes development of blisters from rash .

Once it begins, the rash will usually clear on its own by 14-21 days. Treatment is directed at controlling the itching. You may take oral antihistaminics like benadryl or zyrtec. Also apply calamine lotion as it has a soothing effect on the skin. You can apply OTC steroid cream but it is only helpful if applied right away, before blisters appear, or much later, when the blisters have dried up. Compresses with cool water or Burrow’s solution (available without prescription) can help dry the ooze faster.

If the symptoms persist then please consult a dermatologist.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.