itchy rash on chest, stomach, breast has been spreading

[Shinetrue]

my back was itchy one day and i thought nothing of it. but later that same day my chest got really itchy and i noticed that i had a rash. it kinda looked like small little pimples, only it was very itchy. i couldn't stop scratching. i tried over the counter cremes like Cortaid and Aveeno, but it didn't help any. the next day, the rash worsened. it was very red and very itchy on my back. i also develop pimple like rashes on my forearms which weren't itchy. the next day, my back rash got better, but my chest rash got worse. 5 days after my rash initially start i had a really big red, painful, NONoozing rash on the skin between my breasts, my stomach, and my throat area. i still had the pimply bumps on my back and arms, but they weren't itchy. i went into urgent care to see a general doctor, who couldn't identify what caused my rash. she said that was most likely contact dermatitis since it was in a localized area. i explained to her that it was a rash that seemed to be spreading but she didn't say anything. she prescribed me zyrtek and betamethasone dipropionate cream and told me to take the zyrtek once a day, and apply the cream twice a day. it is now 4 days later, and the original rash has stopped itchy, however it has spread to my breasts (covering my entire breast with the exception of my nipples and arreola) and on the sides of my torso and my upper abdomen area. the medicine isn't easing my itching anymore and i'm in agony with this itch and am scared because this rash is so big and so widespread on my chest. what do i have and how do i stop it and what can i do to ease the itching?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

"Contact dermatitis" means allergy to something that touches the skin.  I don't think that' what you have, since contact rashes are usually scaly, not pimply.  Therefore, I don't suspect a soap, detergent, or perfume.

Rashes like yours are often triggered by a viral infection.  (Some viruses cause coughing or sneezing, others cause rashes.)  Just like many garden-variety rash symptoms, viral rashes go away on their own.  (I'm assuming that you're not taking a new medicine by mouth.)

I advise you to treat the symptoms and make an appointment with a dermatolgist.  For treatment, go to the drugstore and get some Sarna lotion, and apply it liberally and often, as often as you need to to calm the itch.

Also, get some oatmeal bath and Benadryl 25 mg.  Take a 15-minute bath at bedtime and take one Benadryl (it's likely to make you drowsy, but by morning you should be OK.)

By the time of your appointment with the dermatologist, you should be clear.  If not, you can go and get a definitive diagnosis and treatment.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[Shinetrue]

fyi. i am a 25 year old female with no allergies, never had children, never had a severe rash like this before.

[deeleeace]

I got the same rash!  NO idea where it came from and i went to the out patient too because my dermatologist was backed up until August.  They gave me Lidex cream...I don't feel like its helping much, but the rash is drying out and my skin is turning into sandpaper!  Its very itchy, but one thing you may want to consider is allergens.  I live in Mass. and the Dr. said the pollen counts were at an alltime high this past weekend and I was cleaning all around my house, stirring up all kinds of dust and pollen (I am sure).  Also, I have a dog who could have come across some plants, and allergens tend to cling to their coats.  Then allergens can come into the house via your dog! I am clueless as to how I caught this, but if its not gone by weeks end I am going to lose it for sake of itching alone:-(
Good Luck

[tamimae]

i have the same sort of rash...and it continues to spread.  its on my fingers, hands, arms, stomach, legs.  each rash looks different, some look like eczema, some like poison ivy, some are blotchy, others are not.  i've seen 4 doctors, none know what i have.  i'm so itchy!

[thootsie]

Last September I had a rash on my chest, it started as red bumps then after a day it turned into a white head pimple type of rash. It also spread to the back of my neck, shoulder blades, my scalp and then to the outer area of my genital area. It dried up after 5 days and left my skin very dry and scaly. This rash has re-occurred several times since then with the same exact symptoms. I assumed I was allergic to something but couldn't pin point what it was. In the last 6 weeks it has occured 3 times, as soon as it heals it comes back, I have noticed that the last 2 times I have been also getting diarrhea. Could someone give me their opinion as to what it is?

[Lyn2002]

I also developed a rash that began on my stomach and is now spreading to my back and neck.  It is very itchy and seems to be random, not pattern like.  I have also had sx of a fever, headache as well as upset stomach.  Any one with answers please.

[Lyn2002]

i have had the same sx as you are describing, however this is the first time i have experienced this.  I also have had headaches and nausea.   Any one with suggestions please.

[elainmir]

At my 30th week of pregnancy last November I broke out in horrific rash, and was told I had PUPPP, which is a pregnancy rash mainly consisting of ITCHY rash. I was sent to a dermo who diagnosed it and ended up steroidal creams,etc. Was told this would go away after I had my son. Well my son is 7 months old and while the itching is not as intense I still itch everyday and at times have what looks like hives with mesquito bite type marks and sometimes its the pimple looking rash.This rash has scarred my legs, the tops of my feet, I break out worse now on my chest , breasts and in my hair. I have been tested for everything from AIDS to Scabies all with negative results. At one point due to a false positive test I was told I may have had Hepatitis C at one time but fought it off. I was recently told that the followup test was negative. I am so tired of this I have spent literally hundreds of dollars on every creme on the market and the only thing that gives me any kind of relief from the itch is Bluestar ointment. I have used ice packs as well to stop the itch so I dont scratch and scar myself. I was told I can have allergy tests after I wean my son. Which is at least 5 more months.I feel for all of you believe me I know what you are going through.

[kc11]

A related discussion, what is this rash? was started.

[rtaylor10000]

A related discussion, What is it?? was started.

[malsgirl]

A related discussion, Stomach was started.