small red spots on arms

there are about 5 to 10 of those small red slots

[hongkonger]

what could cause it?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

These small red spots can be due to allergies, contact dermatitis, viral rashes or pityriasis rosea. Pityriasis rosea is a common human skin disease which 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 doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[hongkonger]

thank you very much.  they are slightly itchy and tend to disappear overnight. however they would come back ( not the same ones though but also on arms) during the day. I'm really worried since I had unprotected ******* given by a  prostitute 10 weeks back and these red spots started to appear 5 weeks after exposure, though everyone at the HIV prevention forum said I'm ok since that behaviour had no risk.
everytime I see these red spots I get really worried nevertheless.

[hongkonger]

the banned part means oral sex

[hongkonger]

please help!! do they sound like sth dangerous ??

[hongkonger]

HELP please!!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it looks like hives or urticaria which appear and disappear. You can take some antihistaminic like benadryl or Claritin. You may also need topical and oral steroids which are available under prescription. Also wear cotton clothes. If the symptoms persist then it will be best to get it evaluated from a dermatologist.

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 doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[hongkonger]

thanks loads!! if they are hives what could cause them? could anxiety cause them ? im worried because I have never had any thing like that...any help appreciated

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Hives are of two types:a cute and chronic(when hives persist for more than 6 weeks). The most likely triggers for acute urticaria are allergies to pets, horses, latex and foods, such as shellfish and nuts, bee or wasp stings,allergies to medicines, Viral infections, such as glandular fever and herpes, dental and sinus infections, fungal infections, blood transfusions and vaccines.

The cause of chronic urticaria is often more difficult to identify. Most cases are called chronic idiopathic urticaria, which means they're caused by the body's unexplainable development of antibodies to itself (auto-antibodies). Sometimes change of temperature and even anxiety or a stressful condition for the body may cause hives.

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 doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.