a few little pusy dots

three weeks ago on a wed. i had a shot of cortisone in my finger for a trigger finger. afew days latter i noticed some small red dots on my arm just above my wrist,they were toped with a blister they were about 1-2mm i just poped them like a zit, i didnt think they were anythig because i work in a machine shop with lots of oil and get my arms in it alot just thought they were zits. 3-5 days later they were covering my forarm but they seem to start as a cluster of blisters kind of itchy but get a burnig felling if i scratch.my doc dont know refered me to a derm after giving me cortisone tabs . it did go away for 3-4 days but came back worse is on both arms now like red raised pathes of small bumps also have it on my kneck behind my ears but not in patches just bumps bigger and not red can you give me some idea as to  what this may be

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

There is a condition in which oil, like the kind you work with, causes an acne-like breakout.  That's possible, although I couldn't say why it should start breaking out just now.  I can't see any clear connection with the cortisone shot.

I don't think it's anything to worry about, but I do think you should call back the dermatologist who saw you for some advice.  Perhaps an oral or external antibiotic might help, or maybe some changes in what you wear when you work.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[toadster84]

i went back to my doctor who confirmed that i was having a severe allergic reaction to cortisone shot thanks for your help though

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

OK.  You can get folliculitis (blocked pores) from internal cortisone.  It's not exactly an allergy, but it goes away.  I wouldn't have thought you'd get enough cortisone in a finger injection to cause it . . .

Dr. Rockoff

[toadster84]

the exact prognosses is that i had an elergic reaction to the preservative in the injection and must go for 6-8 weeks on even stronger cortisone tabs to get rid of the rash then i should be back to normal does that sound ok to you