Red Hive Like Rash.

I've had a red, hive like rash on my lower back for about a week now. It started after I got what looked like inscet bites on my left side. The following day the rash began to appear. Each day i get more and the rash gets puffier.  The only place it is loacted is my lower back. But  i also have one on my right shoulder and one one my left cheek. Do you have any idea what it could be?

Here is a picture of my rash.
[IMG]http://i27.tinypic.com/30i810m.jpg[/IMG]

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it can be contact dermatitis,allergies or hives. Non-sedating antihistamines such as Cetirizine(Zyrtec) or Loratadine(Claritin) may be needed to get symptom relief. Sedating antihistamines such as Chlorphenamine(Benadryl) is used at night to get urticaria control. Short courses of oral cortisone or steroids are taken for short periods (one to three days) to settle more severe symptoms.
You may give Vitamin C along with the prescribed treatment and apply calamine lotion. Vitamin C is a general anti-allergy supplement. It helps stabilize mast cells so they are less likely to release histamine.
I hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.