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?

[BetSob]

ok, back from the dermatologists. Actually I saw the PA, but I was happy to get an appt on short notice. She thinks it's either poison ivy or contact dermatitis with an allergic reaction. It's not shingles or other herpes rash. I really don't think it's PI. I did get an antibiotic and steroid ointment to put on it. It's almost over in some spots, but the spot on my thigh is very inflamed and looks like it might ooze. She thinks I have a secondary bacterial infection on that spot, which is why I need the antibiotic ointment.

[BetSob]

I've had this twice now. I've also had shingles, but this is not shingles. But it has a similar cause. Herpes. Shingles is caused by the Herpes Zoster virus (chicken pox). This rash is caused by Herpes Simplex 1. 90% of people have this virus, most get it as a child. However, just like with shingles, the virus stays with you dormant until something brings it out. It can be stress, illness, immune issues, or sunlight exposure.

My first outbreak was last year and at first I thought that it was contact dermatitis from a headband I wore. But It then popped up all over the place and lasted for weeks. Now I have another outbreak that started after I was out all day in the sun. I have it on the inside of my elbow and forearm, on the to of my thigh and at my waist. I do think that it also has a contact element where irritation can bring it out.

I'm going to try some over the counter herpes ointments and also take Lysine to see if that helps. If can, I will go to the dermatologist to confirm.

[LisaPelleri]

I just read that when you have Nickel sensitivity that you need to avoid all the foods that have nickel and there are a lot of really healthy foods that have nickel~ like spinach and kale!! OMG!  I am going to experiment with foods before I stop altogether, kale is hard to let go of and I've been eating it for a long time with no problem, but maybe bc i ate so much pineapple i have made myself sensitive to everything that has it.  So i can give up pineapple but kale will be very hard to do and spinach too.  Look up the list of foods that have nickel.  I also took a bath in dead sea salts which have nickel chromium and cobalt all which cause dishydrosis (blistering skin rash on hands and other places) so that may have kicked it all off and then the foods just aggravate it.

[sunloved]

I Thank you for your post as this is exactly what I have been going through. The Dermatologist think that I have Porphyria cutanea tarda. Sun sensitive most definitely. My outbreaks seem to happen 3 to 5 days after being exposed to sun. I also get sores in my nose and then on my lip.

[Loomis13]

My outbreak always happens 3-4 days after excess sunlight too.  I tested negative for porphyria cutanea, but it was discovered I had hypothyroidism.  I started on synthroid and it helped some symptoms (less itchy, smaller bumps) but they were still there.  I also had a vitamin D deficiency which I assume you might also have since I was hiding from the sun for 6 years from when it all started.  The majority of my rash happens on hands, front and back, sometimes on my forearm and the worst outbreaks I have had made it to the sides of my face and a blister or two on my lips.  I have no cure for mine, I just take a daily claratin, synthroid, and now Vitamins D, C, E, and probiotics.  Taking all that alleviated my symptoms by 90% but the outbreaks still occur... but they are much more manageable now.  Best I can tell is I have some sort of autoimmune disease which is caused by anything that causes oxidative stress i.e. excess sunlight, excess alcohol, excess psychological stress... I just try to stay away from the "excess" part and I can now live my life without wanting to end it.  Best of luck, I hope some of my notes make something click in your own problems and lead you to the right doctors and medicines.

[Anna102368]

I have been dealing with this as well for about 3 years( give or take) I did find some thing that has worked for me. It is healing and going away. It has been about 2 days and it feels much better.
It is all natural cream. If you are still having issues email me at
***@****

[shinyoldhide]

  any good diagnosis for anyone?  I suffer from the same thing, randomly at different times for no reason.. mine seem to start when mosquito bites are apparent, but new tiny scratches which turn into sores, scabs, burning itching appear even when I have no new bites from mosquitos.   thank you