itchy red bumps

my girlfriend and I have itchy red bumps ALL OVER. hers aren't as bad as mine, but they appeared shortly after we moved in with a friend of ours. they started out on the legs and fore arms and spread from there. mine are much worse and the only place I don't have them is on my feet, neck, and head.

I have them on my knuckles and the are more clear colored than red there and they scale and peel.
we thought it might be swimmers itch but we've been away from the water we suspected for a couple weeks now....
they get irritated when I take a hot shower or wash my hands with hot water.

dust mites? or some other allergy maybe?
we vacuumed the bedroom and washed the sheets and switched to perfume and dye free detergent.

it seems to be worse when I go to bed so I would think it's an allergy to something

:rye

[rye944]

p.s. the red bumps are small and seem to be in hair follicles and not very big, like 4 or 5 millimeters  

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
This would most likely be an allergy. The reaction that takes place on your skin is due to the release of histamine in response to an allergen.  Allergy is caused by an oversensitive immune system, which leads to a misdirected immune response.

Itchy and swollen red bumps or patches all over the body are the characteristic presentation. This is referred to as allergy rash.
Since you both have the rash, it could be due to insect bites or to the dust as you have mentioned in the post. The reactions vary from person to person.
Allergic reactions can worsen when the body is exposed to heat.

Treatment is to avoid the allergen, which you have tried to do with the measures that you have taken.
Anti-histamines like Cetrizine/Loratidine are the drugs used to block the effects of histamine. You can also apply Calamine or Pramoxine lotion in the bumps to alleviate the itching sensation.

ref:http://www.myonlinewellness.com/topic/adam1000812SS

[rye944]

thanks...