Vasculitis help

[hesper]

My dermatologist diagnosed me with vasculitis. I have non-blanching red bumps on my legs and torso. Some look to be puss filled but aren't. The red dots and bumps vary in size from small pinpricks to the size of marbles. The dots/bumps flare up every once and awhile. I have been reading about the disease and am now concerned. I also have bone and joint pains as well as a stiff neck in the mornings. I have already spent over 1500$ on tests and am running out of money, I have no health insurance. My dermatologist recommended a skin biopsy. Do I need to get it? I read that a steroid called prednisone is prescribed for treatment, can I get it over the counter?

[doctornee medical]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
No, you cannot get steroids over the counter. Skin biopsies are usually helpful in confirming the diagnosis.
It could be  urticaria or hives. The swellings or wheals produced after itching can be pale (of skin color) or red. Urticaria is usually triggered by allergens, such as drugs, foods, insect bites, inhaled substances, in response to sunlight, cold, heat, stress, exercise, or a viral infection. Other common allergens are pollen, mold, dust, pet dander, or cosmetics. Since you experienced an itch, just go over these possibilities in your mind. Something may strike you. In many cases, hives clear up themselves and don’t require diagnosis or treatment. However if they persists you may need to see a specialist called an allergist to determine what is causing the reaction.
It could also be petechiae. Petechiae are pinpoint-sized red dots under the surface of the skin.
The commonest cause of petechiae is a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).
They can also result from autoimmune disorders, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis,  bone marrow disorders such as leukemia, inflammation of the veins, as a side effect of certain medications including the vaccine itself, viral infections, such as EBV and septicemia or infection in blood. A complete blood count, urine examination and a blood culture may be required to reach a diagnosis.
Please check if the above have been looked into.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!