bad rash on trunk/back

hi,
About 3 weeks ago I developed a few spots on my stomach after recovering from a flu bug. It has since spread to my back and somewhat to my arms. The spots themselves do not hurt and initially did not itch. They began as little red spots a few millimeters across, then the skin in the center became dry and peeled. Now most of them are about a centimeter, dry, flaky, and sometimes itchy. I took a picture and uploaded it to imageshack if you want to cut/paste it to your browser.

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/2108/dscn0134de6.jpg

At first, I thought it was a viral rash from the flu because I've had one before, but it's been 3 weeks and this rash is not improving. The closest thing on the web that I can find is Pityriasis rosea.

I'm an agoraphobic, and the closest doctor is going to charge me over $150 per visit (not including prescriptions), so I'd rather not go that route unless absolutely needed.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[loiloi]

Three weeks is a long time to have a rash without an obvious cause such as an allergen. Did you have your illness diagnosed as the flu? I ask this in case the spots are part of the condition. If you have any other symptoms with these spots such as fever, headache, swelling or difficulty breathing you must seek medical attention. Do you take any medication for your agoraphobia and were you able to keep this medicine down during the time you had flu like symptoms? If you've not already done so, go to the Ask a Doctor Dermatology forum and for $19 Dr Rockoff can answer your question personally. Once you've established that this rash is not serious then we can discuss how to treat it but nothing is more important than your health and i think a diagnosis is needed. Let me know how you get on. Loiloi x

[otterlove]

Well, I'm not allergic to anything that I know of. I say I had the flu because I had a 102 degree temp for 2 days with sore throat, headache, sinus issues, etc. This rash developed about 2-3 days after I had a fever. I have none of the symptoms that you mentioned, just this silly rash. I don't take any medication for my agoraphobia at this moment.
Thanks for your reply.

[b4k]

Following 2-3 weeks of flu symptoms, including a week of 104 degree fever (although not medically diagnosed, the symptoms were on par with H1N1), my 5 yr old daughter developed a small patch on her back toward her shoulder (looked like a pimple at first), which then grew to about the size of a quarter and oval in shape. More patches showed up in the next two weeks on her back, torso, neck and chin. Not as many as in your picture but same color, shape and texture. Doctor gave her an anti-fungal for ringworm, which we tried for 3 weeks and gave up on (we've never medicated our daughter until this anti-fungal). We eventually had a skin sample sent to the lab which came back negative for fungus or bacteria. Not sure what she has, but it 5 weeks later it seems to be improving (the spot redness is reducing and she doesn't have any new spots).  We've been using a cream with tea tree oil and other natural ingredients (Aroma Crystal Therapy - Gardener's Dream Cream) which helps with the dryness/ flakiness. My internet searches make me think that it is pityriasis rosea but am not 100% sure. Sounds like a few people have the same skin ailment following the flu though. Is yours improving?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The picture and symptoms are suggestive of pityriasis rosea. The rash may be accompanied by low-grade headache, fever, nausea and fatigue and sometimes by itching. It presents as numerous patches of pink or red oval rash. The rash may be accompanied by low-grade headache, fever, nausea and fatigue and itching. Topical and oral steroids are needed. Water, sweat, and soap may cause irritation and should be avoided in the disease. Topical zinc oxide and calamine lotion are useful for pruritus.

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.