Undiagnosed rashes

Dear Doctor,

My name is Tina, and I am 31 years old. for the past several years I have suffered from Amnorreah.  In Jan 2001, I became pregnant. During my pregnancy I developed rashes on my thighs.  They were very itchy.  My doctor said that it was common in pregnant women.  Nonetheless, they never stopped, even after giving birth.  It's been 4 years now and it is getting worse.  It started on my thighs, then my upper arms, then on my lower abdomen then my breasts and now they are moving further down my arms.  They come and go.  They will flare up for a few days whereby the area becomes red and raised then as it subsides my skin becomes darker in that area then flares up again.

My doctor did an allergy test and said that it is definitely not an allergic reation.  
I do not get periods except twice a year.  I have gained a lot of weigth and although they say that exhibit the symptoms of PCOS, the doctor says that rashes is not one of them.

I am really not sure what I have and was wondering if you knew of any conditions that might have such a symptom

Thank you.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

The most likely one is eczema.  This can appear at any time of life.  If yours started during pregnancy, in retrospect that is a coincidence--men get eczema just as often.  Cause is not known--it's usually hereditary, though you may not know who has or had it.  I advise you to consult a skin doctor for proper diagnosis.  Good treatment is available.  Over time, the discoloration is probably going to go away once you get your rash under control.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff