info??

my friend has these small bumps all over his body...i slept on his couch and now i have them...its getting worse by the day....the kind of look like bites but they're not....also they dont itch much....any wisdom for me?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to body lice or scabies bites (but they are very itchy). According to CDC (centre of disease control), Intense itching (“pruritus”) and rash caused by an allergic reaction to the louse bites are common symptoms of body lice infestation. Wash the Clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water and dry them in sun after machine drying them. Topical permethrin or Lindane cream may be needed which are available by prescription only. Treatment of scabies is the same i.e permethrin.

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.