itchy red bumps on skin resembling bug bites...HELP

[JessG81]

A few weeks ago, I started noticing a few bumps on my skin (started on arms and shoulders, now spread to face, torso, back, and legs) that were extremely itchy and look just like bug bites.  I started thinking maybe I had bed bugs, because I primarily noticed these spots when I got up in the morning.  I had an exterminator come out and he didn't find any evidence of bed bugs, or any insect whatsoever.  Since the bumps kept appearing and don't seem to be going away, I went to the doctor (general practitioner, not dermatologist) last week, and she said she thought it was simply eczema.  She prescribed fluocinolone cream for the body and desonide ointment for the face and neck, but they don't seem to be working or relieving the itching whatsoever.  Does ANYONE have any idea what this could be??

Also, I have a cat who was recently diagnosed with a severe fungal infection, as he has hairless patches all over his body.  We are still waiting for the results of the fungal culture to determine which species he is infected with.  Several months ago, before the problem got more severe, I had him tested for ringworm twice, and both cultures came back negative.  I know that ringworm cultures often give false negatives, so I'm wondering if he has this and it has spread to me; however, my bumps do not look like ringworm (and his really don't either).  Meanwhile, I have cleaned my house from top to bottom and am keeping my cat isolated, washing my hands every time I go in there to feed him and even putting on different clothes when I'm in the room to limit the spread of the fungal spores around the house.  I'm not sure if this information about my cat is relevant to my problem, but since it might be, I'm including it here.  Please, if anyone has any ideas, please let me know.  I feel like i'm going crazy with these skin problems.  HELP!!!

[JessG81]

Well, I have been to 2 different dermatologists and to the ER to hopefully get a diagnosis for my skin problem, but to this day no one can identify what is wrong with me.  One doctor suggested pityriasis rosea, but the other doctors I saw said that my rash didn't follow that pattern.  I had a CBC done, where the results didn't seem to be particularly alarming to anyone who saw them (elevated WBC, high granulocyte count, low lymphocytes).  They tested my thyroid and liver--both were normal--and did a mono test, syphilis test, and rheumatoid factor test.  Nothing came back abnormal.  Meanwhile, the rash is still spreading (all over back, torso, legs, sides, stomach, and a few on arms...some places have just a bright red rash and others have round scaly lesions) and does not show any signs of going away.  I had a skin biopsy which was apparently inconclusive.  I had a bacterial culture done, which came back with no growth.  We are still awaiting the results of the fungal culture, but the doctors say it doesn't look like that to them.  It itches like crazy and nothing that I have been prescribed has helped (fluocinolone, desonide, prednisone, Keflex antibiotic).  I am extremely scared and am afraid this could be cancer--specifically t-cell lymphoma.  I specifically asked one of the doctors if it could be this, and he said no, but I'm wondering if he just doesn't want me to get alarmed before it is absolutely necessary.  Please, if anyone can help me whatsoever, please write...I'm scared I'm going to die from this.  Does anyone know what this could be?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it does not sound like eczema or ringworm which present as rashes and not itchy bumps. From the symptoms it can be scabies bites or folliculitis skin. Scabies is characterized by intense itching, usually at night and by small insect-type bites lesions on the skin. Diagnosis of scabies is made by scraping the skin and viewing the material under a microscope to see the characteristic mite or eggs.

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.