Red splotches on my arms after shower

I get red splotches on my arms after a shower, they disappear after 45 min. or so.  I believe it's a fungus, but am not positive.  I remember when I was in Hawaii I would get haole rot which seems similar but is not the same as these red blotches do not dry out.  Any ideas?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
These red splotches can be due to hives which appear and disappear. It can also be due to water urticaria. Water urticaria, or aquagenic urticaria, is a rare condition in which hives develop within 1 to 15 minutes after contact with water.

Water urticaria is diagnosed by applying tap water and distilled water to the skin and observing the reaction. Treatment of water urticaria includes epinephrine, antihistamines, or cortisone-like drugs. Itching can be controlled with cold packs or commercial topical agents that contain menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil, aloe, antihistamines, or cortisone preparations.

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 dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.