tiny itchy blisters on arms & legs

[twilightburl]

Shamefully, for almost 8 years I have been getting very small itchy blisters on various spots on my arms and legs.  The small blisters develop and immediately itch intensely, which is how I know they're there.  They have a clear fluid inside, with no puss.  When I scratch them in my sleep or when they break, they often weep a little  amber colored liquid.  Also, when I scratch them, more tiny blisters will develop around the original blister, signifying an infection.  These broken blisters often leave  (little open sores) which can be difficult and slow to heal.  These outbreaks seem to come in waves, as I'll often go weeks or even a month or two without a sign of blisters, itching, or infection.  I have never had any white puss or swelling redness around these troublesome blisters/vesicles, which isn't like any normal skin infection I've ever had before.  Can anyone help me diagnosis this problem please?

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

Differentials may include eczematous disease ( allergic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis)involving the extremities.There may be an overlying infection after severely scratching or breaking the skin.

Have you any known allergies?

At this point it is difficult to tell what causes the condition. A complete examination by an internist or dermatologist may help.

Have you tried taking any medications before that relieved the symptoms?

Application of cold compress over the extremities, avoiding extreme heat or dryness, washing with a bland hypoallergenic soap and avoiding other possible triggers ( like food, certain medications,stressors) may help.

[UKROG]

I too seem to suffer the exact symptoms, as is always the case it is nice to know you are not the only one suffering these symptoms.  For me they seem to come and go and are mostly on my right & left arm & right leg, I have also had on occasions small blisters on the roof of my mouth towards the back (I am not sure if this could be linked but having  thought about it a bit the thought now crosses my mind).

Of course if you search there are a multitude of other things it could be from things such as a food allergy (Gluten, etc) to Staph Infection (Staphylococcus Aureus) and these are to name but a few indeed.

I also have had Pneumonia once before that took a while to clear and now seem to have some sort of sinus/mucus problem and occasionally experience a slight shortness of breath, again these may not be related and some may be down to the fact i am not in the best shape I could be in but I do not drink or smoke etc.

I do think the bottom line is seeing my Doctor in the vain hope whoever I see will show some kind of interest and point me in the right direction so a diagnosis can be reached.

Anyway I hope what I have wrote helps or inspires you in some way!

And remember you are not the only one suffering this (from the sound of things)

Rog

[angelmistifi]

I also suffer from this rash.  I live in an area that was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina.  Since the storm, I have had this same type of rash repeatedly.  I have gone to the emergency room numerous times because the rash would be so severe that after taking a bath, they would ooze this sappy looking stuff that was sticky, I would have a rash on my body after the blisters went away that resembled measles and would have severe asthmatic flare ups-allergic reaction I was informed.  But the question was From What though?  No answer  This only happened after the bath.    I still do not know what is the reason.  I tried a cream called Lidex, very cheap for generic, it worked great.  But the rash comes and goes. To end the reoccurance of it would be a blessing.  I would love to know what it is.  It itches and burns and drives me crazy.  If anyone could shed light, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Lynnie23]

I too have been pestered for many years with these intense itching little blisters on my fingers, hands and arms.  Some are in streaks, little lines, singluar spots, and in the worst areas they form a little mass that eventually turns red with little scabs from scratching in my sleep.  They remind me so much of poison ivy rash but I know that is not the case.  I used to be plagued with poison ivy as a child on these same areas, and I even wondered if the toxin is still in my system and works it's way to the surface every so often.  One thing I do know is it seems to occur after a change in diet.  I'm always working towards a healthier life style eating foods that are not processed, without chemicals and pesticides, and more on the raw side.  Well being human and all, sometimes I slip and slide in this and find myself eating processed cheese fries and lots of sugar delights.  It's after these eating intoxications that I notice the rash occuring.  When I eat healthy I know my liver is cleansing my body well, and then when I back track on the unhealthy stuff my liver works overtime to cleanse my body.  I kind of wonder if the rash is a response to toxins in the body.  Because, when I get back on track eating healthy foods, I never experience the rash.  It's only when I eat chemicals like high fructose corn syrup, and highly processed foods that the rash develops.  It sure takes it's time going away becauce it spreads if the blisters are scratched open, just like poison ivy does.  Also personally, my skin has always been a bit sensitive to external chemicals as well.  I've had to change deodorants and detergents because I would get a rash out of nowhere.  

[Nancy16]

Is this an HPV related symptom?

[attillio]

Hi,

I too have this problem and you have described it beautifully. It first appears on my right or left arm as an intensely itchy spot which is impossible to resist scratching and the more you scratch the worse it gets. After scratching, tiny weeping eruptions appear and tends to cause it to spread. In my case, the itching is so intense that I can't get to sleep at night.

I too can go for months at a time without this annoying affliction appearing.  In my case, this curse started 20 years ago. I had been working clearing a vacant lot when I accidentally disturbed a large wasp (yellow jacket) nest and had multiple stings on both of my arms.

The following summer was when these itchy spots started and they have been randomly appearing ever since. I strongly suspect that I still have the remanent of wasp sting venom in my system and something in the air triggers these random outbreaks.

I have tried every anti-itch medication I could find, including prescription medication from my Doctor, but it only made the itch worse. So, in desperation, I tried experimenting with different concoctions on my own.

I found that the most effective method was to do the following.

Prepare a gauze pad large enough to well cover the infected area. Saturate it with ice cold water and liberally sprinkle it with ordinary iodized table salt. Place the pad on the infected are (salt side down) and hold it in place with a bandage. Note: I use a piece of stretchy material held together by velcro.

This method reduces the itch and salt (being a natural disinfectant) causes it to heal up.

Hope this helps

Ken

[mssapphire]

I too suffer from this problem. This started about two years ago on my legs. I went to the doctor and they did a skin biopsy and the results were inconclusive so he attribited it to insect bites. Now I get these breakouts on my arms and it seems that everytime I'm around certain people I have a breakout. I tend to get one to two bumps/blisters at a time. They start off as tiny itchy prickly bumps and then they get bigger and begin to ooze clear fluid. They also leave dark spots on my skin. So my arms look like they have cigarette burns on them. This is so frustrating because no one can tell me what it is.

[attillio]

Hi all,

Regarding the random itchy spots that were so correctly described by twilightburl above.

I just finished an outbreak of those annoying intensely itching spots that appear randomly on various parts of the body (in my case, my arms). Thank God, that's the only place that they appear.

In a message I sent earlier (listed above). I described a method I used to calm the itch and get it to heal and it worked very well for me.

With this last itchy spot that appeared on my right arm, I decided to try something a little different.

Instead of using cold water, Use ordinary Iodine, then sprinkle salt on the moist Iodine and cover with a gauze pad. Use a bandage (or other method) to hold it in place.

It works beautifully for me and you have nothing to loose by trying it.

Attillo

[Shawni21]

My mom has been getting the same itchy bumps on her arms for almost a year now.  Nothing seemed to work until I suggested she start taking an Antihistamine.  This seems to help alot.

She has no history of allergies, bug bites or what have you, but she does get cold sores and suffered a severe outbreak on her entire face due to contracting bacterial menangitis (meningitis) where her immune system was so impaired, the herpes ran rampant.

This was 5yrs ago, so I'm not sure if its related, but the way she describes it to me, it sounds exactly like a cold sore...It makes me wonder if it is at all possible for this virus to migrate, or if it is some new form of the disease..

Laurie

[Rewya]

I suffer from the same exact kinda thing only they seem to appear on my feet, legs, and upper arms. I am 13 years old and have yet to see a dermatologist. The symptoms described match my exact problem, for you see i have been getting these "Very small itchy blisters" Every year between June-September. I have been searching all over the internet for something like the blisters described at the top, mainly for the "amber colored ooze" and "more tiny blisters will develop around the original blister" I was puzzled at first but went on thinking it was a plant because it had recently the first time i got it spread to my mother. contagious plant? I have to suspect it is this though because the detailed explanation matches my exact issue. PLEASE HELP

[tamari]

Sounds just like Morgellons

[sydney2010]

He has no fever but he does say it itches him and when it pops he says it burns
its only on the legs never have seen them anyway else on his body and they are
smell to nickel size clear blisters and clear liquid they tired Bactroban and
mupirocin they told me to put it in the nose for 5 days two times and on his
legs did that and they,re still coming.  thanks for all you can do for me
anything helps i just want to make sure he does not get a bad infection

[wmassey0919]

THIS SUMMER IS AUGUST I WAS CURSED WITH THIS RASH ON MY SKIN.IT IS THE SAME AS OTHER HAVE,AND NOBODY REALLY KNOWS,IT IS JUST LIKE A INSECT BIE,BUT NO BUG VISIBLE TO THE EYE. MAYBE SCABBIE'S OR A MORE AGGRESSIVE CHIGGER THAT HIDES DORMENT IN THE SHIN ..WE ARE NOT SCIENTIFICILY ADVANCED TO TACKEL THE PARISITE. WE REALLY NEED TO PURE MONEY INTO RESARCH WE THE PUBLIC IS AT RISK OF A PARASITE EMIDEMIC ATTACK .I CAN'T SLEEP.. IT IS DEPRESSING ME I NEED HELP ..I NEED MORE THAT A HYDROCORTIZONE CREAM I NEED ANSWERS?it marsa or herpes?





.WADEMASSEY

***@****

[RHONDAARTMAN]

I have this same rash it started in September on my arm from my wrist to my elbow. It was small blisters that are filled with clear fluid and ich and burn the more I ich. I have been on meds( all in my post) and have had a MRSA test and that was neg. No one can tell me what this is. I had thought it could be from the hottub we used at the restort we were at 2 weeks before this started. I now have 3 tiny blisters starting on my left arm.Nothing seems to work to get rid of them or the ich. I guess I iched my other arm so much I got Cellulities from this. I am seeing a Dermatologist next week as my Dr told me there is nothing she can do and I should just live with it and in time it will clear up on its own.

[sterzzz]

My boyfriend has had the same problem for years and since we started dating about 4 months ago I started to get the same small blisters on my fingers and forarms.He too gets them on his hands,back,and upper arms.So I did some research today and I think it is definitely a small infection of scabies.I will post a website that has more info.
http://www.4leafdesigns.com/templates/scabies/causesandsymptoms.htm  Some pictures are very foul and gross.The symptoms I notice is from the finger picture and my boyfrds bac the SFS pic kinda.

[montan5837]

from  lynette /Spain  
  I have a rash on my arms ive had it for about 2years its a burning itching  blisters that burst after scratching, it has moved up my arms  .I got it after i brushed past apepper plant in my  garden. i to have been to the doctors but to no avail.Ive been given antihistemn injections which seem to work for afew days .Ihave found spaying vinaga on at night stops the itching .Ihave allso been appling neat tea tree oil every 2 hours releives the itching too  .I YET to fine cure but iam experimenting with lots of things .AS  i am fed up with this rash at least its gone from the bottom of my arms now as ive been treating it with teatree oil .let me know if teatree oil works for you  lynette                                                                

[Nicole888]

I have the same problem, the first time i got them when i was 9 years old, I had 7 blisters on my left thigh, at first they looked like mosquito bites and they were so itchy, and they turned into blisters. And I have several marks in my feet and legs and right arm, And everytime I would have blisters I'd feel so sick, I feel like I have a fever and my legs or arms would feel so hot. And when they're about to heal, it gets itchier.  I noticed that I'll just have them when it's around Spring-Fall. Now I have red bumps on my arms, I dont know what to do, cus they seem to be itchier at night. I hope we all get over this disease and find a cure.

[nikkibear1017]

I have three blister looking things on my arm one medium and two small and its red all around it i woke up with them now im scared im going to the docters tommoro but what if they cant do anything i cant live with theese things i would get picked on!
Omg help.!

[hbmama]

I have had these symptoms for just over 4 years.  We recently moved to the area and lived in our home for about a year and a half.  

They randomly appear and I honestly have no idea what triggers them.  I have seen multiple dermatologist, who have run a plethora of blood test - all inconclusive.  I have tried many creams, nothing that really helps.  I have seen an allergist and even subjected myself to the food and pollen allergy panel of tests.  Nothing significant that can explain the outbreaks.

I'm so frustrated because no one seems to be able to come up with anything other than just throwing their arms up in the air and saying, "Oh, well.  We don't know."

I have made sever changes in our home to try to reduce allergens.  We have very little carpeting, no drapes, no plans in the home and no pets.  The mattress are all brand new and they all the the allergen covers as well as all the pillows.  We only use white bath towels, which I only use once.  It is washed in hot water and bleach about once a month.  And when I bleach, I do a double rinse.  My sheets are changed weekly and also washed in hot water.  I seriously don't know what else to do.

I am currently experiencing and outbreak.  I have blisters on the tops of my feet and by my ankles.  I also have about 4 spots on my left side.  Prior to this outbreak, the last time I had one was last summer.  I distinctly remember that I was doing some planting.  I had on pants, a long sleeve shirt and a hat.  I was also wearing gloves, so my skin contact with anything would have been minimal.  However, I ended up with blisters on my left shoulder, which is a rather random spot.  With this said, I am somewhat convinced that my allergic reaction is to something that is airborne and it must be something that I am breathing in.  We live close to a park, so I'm not sure if it might be a pollen from there or something that might be in our own yard.

Additionally, they leave a terrible scar - even if you are able to not scratch them.  

When my outbreaks were really severe, my derm would recommend that I soak in a warm bath with a cup of bleach.  Or I would do a mixture of white vinegar with water in spray bottle.  I would spray the infected areas while I was in the shower.  I have also applied ice, which seriously takes the edge of the itching, for a bit.

I have bookmarked this discussion website in the hopes that someone will share any findings that might be beneficial to all.

[Tomjf]

Hi, I have been getting this rash, small blisters or red bumps on my arms starting about 8 years ago it has now migrated to my legs. (I am 54 years old and a male, retired for the whole time I've been getting this.) It only comes in the spring and lasts about 3-5 weeks. I walk for exercise in a park every day and I wear shorts and a t shirt so I was thinking it was the sun and heat but after an unseasonably cool spring I have come to think it is related to pollen, so maybe this is an allergy ? The reason I think this is because every year I've had these I've been heavily tanned on those areas, this year I have only walked twice wearing shorts and I have them again. I try and figure it out every year to no avail, my doctor has given me a steroid cream but they last the same amount of time if I use it or not. Over the years from scratching them they have left tiny white scars as well. I know in years  past the best treatment was submerging my arms in ice cold water for relief but I don't know if this actually helped since they seem to just go away after about a month, which makes it near impossible to tell if anything really works.

[tohlan]

I have the same things, they seem to appear after I have been in my backyard.  After looking around the Internet, I think they are chigger bites.

http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/chigger-bite-close-up-of-blisters-picture.htm

[tohlan]

also

http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/chiggers(008).shtml

[tunefisher]

Did any one ever find out what this is? It's driving me crazy. I get it in the summer and suspect it is triggered by the sun.

[stancoombs]

Has anyone ever found out what this is?  I've suffered with exactly the same thing for years!

Thanks!

[thezooinmyhead]

Is it prurigo nodularis?

[ab614]

Hello everyone, after reading this discussion I'm getting a bit worried. A couple months ago I experienced a breakout of what looked and felt like mosquite bites on my legs. After a couple of days they swelled and each spot formed a small blister in the center. They itched intensely and I must have opened a few of them because then I developed an infection, with cellulitis (redness and swelling of the skin) in one particular area. After a course of antibiotics the infection dissipated but the remenants of the initial outbreak were still there and continued to flare up and go back down for several weeks.

It was about a week after the antibiotic treatment that I developed another instance on my forearm, near the inner bend of the elbow. This started the same way but seemed to progress faster and despite taking care to not touch the area it still got infected. It was a rapid infection with a red streak going up to my armpit and the ER doctors put me on an antibiotic IV. They insisted the problem was MRSA. I've taken oral antibiotics, scrubbed myself with antibacterial soap, and everything seemed to be getting better until yesterday.

I awoke with another swollen, mosquito bite-like spot on my right leg. It did not itch as bad as the first two breakouts but I'm getting concerned because the MRSA is long gone from my body, so this must be something else. A dermatologist took a biopsy of an older site and came back with the same inconclusive result that many of you have been sharing. She was leaning towards insect bites, which I highly doubt is the cause. I share just about everything with my girlfriend and she has never had anything of the sort.

I'm 25, fairly healthy, and have never had anything like this happen before. I'm really confused and frustrated as to what it is and why now, and most of all worried about how long this will last. From the sound of it some of you have dealt with this for years.

I've been searching the web to try and find an answer and as of this moment I am stumped. I think its either allergy-related, or an autoimmune disorder where your immune system attacks your own body for unknown reasons. If anyone here is planning on getting more tests done with their doctor, have them check the area for IgG or IgA, which indicate an autoimmune disorder. I might have the doctor examine this new area via biopsy for this and investigate all other possible causes. The key is to not give up and accept a generic diagnosis, there is an answer somewhere.

Sorry for the long post, but I think that getting as much information out there about individual's conditions will help those afflicted better understand and describe the condition to a professional. Though to be honest, I am losing faith daily in medical professionals because of this and your stories. It seems like if it's not a generic condition that they have experienced before, most doctors and specialists just attribute it to a generic cause like 'oh its probably insect bites'. However my hope is there are still good doctors out there that are genuinely interested in finding the answers to mysteries like this and want to help people.

Please update this discussion with any new findings, any new conditions, anything at all that might help the rest of us figure this out and learn how to control/prevent it. Watching for something you did, ate, encoutered, anything at all that you might suspect caused a new outbreak will help the rest of us.

Good luck.

[ab614]

Hey there, I just noticed your post. The thing about Prurigo Nodularis (PN) is that it is a hard bump that is mainly present because of previous scratching of the area. While it is possible that some people here are experiencing this at the moment, its is likely not the initial cause of the blistering condition. There are no blisters associated with PN, and it usually happens after the initial condition occurs and people scratch it until the area hardens.

[candyka]

My 9 years old daughter has this blisters on arms and legs, her skin is dark so the blisters leave light spots on her, and she does not like to wear skirt, shorts,short sleeve. I am so sad about this, I have taken her to the dermatologist, creams nothing helps. she has had this blister for 6 months.

[moose101]

OMG, I just found this thread and am glad I'm not the only one.

I have been battling this for 10 years now. One thing I thought of was, that my outbreak started after I got my tattoo.

Wonder if this has anything to do with it?

[bosco911]

I have had these rashes since buying my Florida get away home.I live in PA and spend a lot of time in Venice Florida.I know damn well what ever these things are they came from Florida.I am a huge water sports person.And beach lounger.I think I got it from the ocean.I am 99.9% sure.I am entering a whole year with these painful rash sores.They go almost completely away while I am bathing in the ocean for long periods of time.Must be the salt.Funny it caused it and also releives it.Anthistamines work well but they get me light headed and nervouse.Also get them on back of neck.The only other thing that I can connect this to .01% is I quit drinking alcohol after 20 years of daily consumption and the sores appeared 1 week after.Maybe hormonal who knows.I am 46,I was not a drunk needing rehab just woke up one morning and did ot have the urge.Strange I must be geting old.

[HJane]

Here are possibilities to consider: Herpes simplex, Herpes Zoster, dermatitis herpetiformis (a sign of celiac disease), pemphigus, pemphigoid. Do a Google images search to see what each of these looks like.

To the person that said diet seemed to affect it especially consider dermatitis herpetiformis, and getting checked for celiac disease.

[semodawn]

Second fall in a row I have had this same type of rash.  Never had it before until I moved to a different state.  Which makes me think it might be allergy related.  Only appears on my lower legs, thank goodness, but takes a good couple months to clear up.  I have found that dabbing acetone on the areas will dry the blisters up pretty quickly.  And an antifungal cream will not only relieve itching but also dry them up. I still find new spots everyday and try to be aggressive on using the acetone and creams.  Hope this helps some of you other sufferers.

[Fezzginn]

   I've also got this condition, I'm 99% sure by the rather exact fit to the symptoms.  Small, intensely itchy blisters, which start to itch even before they're visible.  They come and go at random.  When I start to get them, I'll have no visible signs for the first day or so, just an intense itch in the same spot, growing in frequency until it's constant.  Then a pin-***** blister forms, often being yellowish or pink.  If left alone, they grow till they're no more than the width of the lead in a #2 pencil, then burst.  The fluid inside is clear, or yellowish if they are left long enough, and they can weep for a couple minutes or as much as 6 hours at the worst.  But, they spread...  And they spread fast.  I get them on the backs of my hands first, most commonly.
   The first outbreak I ever had was in the summer of 2003 in Colorado Springs, CO and started on the backs of my lower legs.  I've also had them on my feet, my thighs, my forearms, my upper arms, my shoulders, my neck, my waist, my ears, and my nose.  I've noticed a few things that were suggested in the above posts but weren't explicitly stated...  If I get them in one part of my body, they tend to appear on the other side of my body as well, almost symetrically.  If it starts on the back of one hand, the next most probable spot to break out next is the other hand.  Leg for leg, arm for arm.  Once in any area, they spread in short leaps and bounds, often establishing another group within 6 inches.  And, if left unattended, any single blister starts to form small clusters of new blisters around it.  For me, the blister doesn't have to break for it to spread, but broken blisters definitely spread it *much* faster.
   I've been to 6 different doctors about this.  Suffered the same generic diagnosies...  Unknown allergies, insect bites, scabbies, chiggers, etc...  In the end, nothing they did worked, nothing they said fit.  To this day, I still don't know what it is.  It's not seasonal for me, I get them at random every 2 to 9 months.  It shouldn't be allergies to one food, because I've changed my diet incrementally in periods of 3 months or longer, sequentially eliminating every basic ingredient, every listed addative, even whole food groups.  Each time, new outbreak, and another time to reassess...  I can say that avoiding products with corn and corn byproducts *may* help.  My outbreaks are less intense it seems, as long as I follow that rule.

   As to salt and iodine based treatments...  I tried both.  They did help, a lot.  Rubbing alcohol sprayed on a freshly burst blister also seems to stop the blister from spreading whatever this is.  But, the greatest successes I've had in stopping the spread and bringing about early ends to the outbreaks has been to take a simple paper towel, soaked in vinegar which has had salt disolved into it, and *gently* rub the affected areas.  The vinegar, for some reason, will slowly expose where the blisters are exactly, as well as retard the spread.  For me, it takes about 5 minutes exposure, but then all the blisters turn completely white, even the ones so small you'd never see them.
   If the vinegar alone isn't enough to stop the itch and start the healing process, I then mix a 5:1 ratio of baking soda and salt with just enough water to turn this into a slightly runny paste.  I wet the affected areas in warm water, then apply the paste and allow it to dry and flake off on its own.  I won't kid you, this eventually starts to burn...  But, the lasting itch relief makes it thoroughly worth it, as does the rapid healing it promotes in a couple days.  This works particularly well on blisters which have already popped, because the baking soda / salt gets down into the weeping blister and dries them out completely.
   For temporary itch relief, a warm bath with a small box of baking soda mixed in is very nice.  Sit and soak for a bit, then get out and air dry yourself.  It will drastically cut down on the itching, but isn't strong enough to generally aid in healing.

   Things I've learned to avoid:  Moisturizers, oils, and overexposure to tapwater.  Moisturizers make this stuff spread so quickly that you could see a week's spread in a single day.  Oils have a similar, yet less powerful effect.  An interesting note is that things like Neosporin fit into this catagory completely.  They *promote* growth.  And tapwater, or any fresh water really, seems to make the itching far, far worse as well as promote additional spreading.  Everything points to the fact, with me, that the skin should remain as dry as possible or be exposed to elements which kill bacteria on contact.

   Hope this helps.  I'll be checking back to see if anyone else has helpful information.  I can't even begin to describe the torture this puts you through when you have it on both legs, both arms, your neck and your ears all at once...  And I've been bitten by a black widow.  Give me the black widows, any day...

[hinrichsen]

My symptoms are identical to yours, except that the blisters on my hands and feet first erupted when I was in my early twenties. That was diagnosed as eczema. I had not had an outbreak of eczema in twenty years and then all the sudden it was back on my hands and feet. Then I got a cluster of blisters on my inner thigh that would come and go over the past two years. Now I get the blisters in random symmetrical areas on my feet, legs, buttocks, stomach, and scalp. The head blisters are the worst and drive me crazy at night. I have had all the tests for gluten allergy and everything came back normal.

It is so strange to me that so many people evidently have this problem and no one knows what it is. The doctors say it is not contagious, but I did not have an outbreak until my daughter moved next to me and has an active outbreak of hand and foot eczema.

[alysdexia]

What kinds of food and drink do ye take, and forget?  If it's a lack in something, may I suggest a nutraceutical such as a bottle of Hair, Skin, and Nails by Nature's Bounty or pasture-fed liver, and goat's cheese or yogurt.  Post any results here.

[hinrichsen]

Is there something we all have in common? I take Lipator, vitamin D, and use a estrogen patch for hot flashes and night sweats, (I'm 56 years old). I have two small dogs. I have had adult acne since I was in my twenties. Have had eczema on my hands and feet, on and off, since my twenties. Have been under extreme stress lately due to being laid-off and my husband's prostate cancer. My race is a mixture of Hebrew, English, and American Indian.

Let me know, maybe we can figure out this condition!  

[vegiemuncher]

dermatitis herpetiformis? It is caused by undiagnosed gluten allergy.

[outtolearn]

Our family of 8 has also been plagued with many of these same symptoms over the last year. We also know 5 other families that have delt with these or similar issues. Some originally thought it was scabies and the treatment for that did seem to work. We have used the natural treatment of mixing 4 parts neem leaf powder (not neem oil they are not from the same part of the tree and though it can help with the dry patches of skin it does not work the same to kill the infection as does the neem leaf powder) to 1 part turmeric and making a paste with water. We apply this nightly for 1 to 3 weeks and it seems to go away. I have noticed that respritory issues seem to come shortly after as does impetago (infected spreading open sores). You can treat impetago with a paste of bentonite clay and water and/or black walnut hull tincture. The interesting thing about all these is that they are all bacterial related so building the immune system is important. The skin is the biggest eliminative organ so hot baths with epsom salts and other things like herbs to draw out toxins seem to be helpful. I understand everyones frustration and I hope some of my experiences can help you too.

[mimi1173]

I too have had these itchy little blisters for 4 years.  They started after pulling weeds, which unknowingly included poison ivy!  I had a severe reaction and then secondary skin infection from scratching.  They typically start on the underside of my right forearm and then I may develop them on my abdominal area and most recently my right leg and have had them in the roof of my mouth after eating mango (from the same sumac family as poison ivy). Up until 4 years ago, I had never had an allergic reaction to mango (however my sister had).  It only developed after the poison ivy experience.  
It seems they appear more often when I am stressed, but I can't be for certain that there is not another pattern I just haven't noticed yet. I will say that they did ALL go away after I received a (very painful) steroid shot and 6 day medrol pack for severe allergies... they were significantly reduced within hours and gone within days.  They do however, reappear a couple of times each year.  One of the creams I was prescribed before, but havent really used until now, is called triamcinolone acetonide (a topical steroid cream) seems to completely alleviate the itchiness for several hours (applied 2x each day).  Also, I have noticed that the bumps, after 2 days of using this, are beginning to dissipate.  One that I have had for about a week has nearly dried up overnight.
One other significant thread that I see in several posts is that using iodized table salt seems to be healing these things.  I know salt has healing properties itself, but I have to wonder if this is not somehow additionally, thyroid related.  I was diagnosed as borderline HYPO-thyroid and don't eat much iodized salt or other items with iodine and was instructed to do so (as I am otherwise healthy) to increase my iodine intake.  I am going to test this theory on myself and will post as to its benefit, or not.
I have long suspected that these secondary reactions may be caused with fluctuating weight loss, having stored some of the allergen (?) in fat cells. Thereby releasing when I lose a few pounds (I typically gain and lose about 5 lbs each month), although this does not occur monthly.
I am so sorry that so many people are having to deal with this, as I know your discomfort. At the same time, I am relieved that other people are looking for answers, because the doctors don't exactly know what causes it.