under forearm rash that does not itch

[JMoff]

I am a 22 year old white male. When I was a child, I was told I had sensitive skin.

I have this ugly rash on my underside of my forearms for the past 1-2 years. It does not itch. The exact location is as if you place your arms on a table while eating or typing on a computer. It's around my elbow and the underside of my arms and a little bit on top, the majority on the bottom. It does not itch and never has itched. It looks like red and pink dots and reminds me of acne. Sometimes it spreads to other areas on my arm and then goes away for a while. It is on both of my arms.

I have tried using Neutrogena Body wash and Neutrogena On the Spot Acne cream, but it does not work.

What is this? Acne? My face is completely acne free. How can I go about getting rid of this ugly rash on my arms?

Thank you so much for reading and I look forward to hearing your advice.

JMoff

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

No, it isn't acne.  If you spend a lot of time resting your arms on a table or if you engage in some activity that puts pressure on that part of your forearms, the skin might do something like what you describe.  What I recommend is that you see a skin doctor in person.  Rashes, especially uncommon ones, generally need to be seen to be diagnosed.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff