itchy rash

[Orbit]

Had influenza last month.  A week after flu symptoms abated got a skin-coloured sandpapery rash on ribs, back and forearms.  Spread all over body, except face and soles of feet.  Didn't blister.  Only gets red when scratched.  Very itchy, worse at night.  5 weeks now and still itching!  Heat doesn't make it worse, but cold helps.  Any ideas?  Going crazy!

[Orbit]

Undoubtedly that's part of it. Wierdly, places I have scratched and places I haven't scratched seem to be the same.  Have tried everything to stop: wearing gloves at night, ice packs, oatmeal baths, cortico-steroid cream, antihistamines, cold showers every few hours (not pleasant at 4 a.m.), sleeping pills.  Sounds minor, I know, but suspect I'll go mad if this keeps up. Anyone else had a flu complication like this, or have I invented a new disease?

[dofkex]

maby they're not disappearing because you're scratching them too much? (just my opinion)