Red Full Circles/Then Black-n-Blue

[whtstang91]

I have had this problem in certain areas of my body for the past year to two years now. I have been seen by my physician twice and he has yet to come to a conclusion for the problem. He gave me a steriod to try and it did nothing at all. Here is my problem.

I have these perfectly round full circles that remain black-n-blue on my left hip, right arm, lower back, and buttocks. When they are black-n-blue they do not itch or cause me any problems. But when I get sick, whether it is just the common cold, flu, or anytime my immune-system seems to get bothered, the black-n-blue circles turn a deep red and begin to itch. The do not hurt but they are bothersome. After I am feeling better, or a day after I am sick, the red circles begin to get lighter and then just stay a lite black-n-blue mark but do not go away. Again, this has been going on now for 1-2 years and everyone I see about them does not know what they are. When they turn reddish in color they also get very slightly raised-up. Can anyone PLEASE help me or give me advise on what they think it may be or recommend something I should do to get help. Thank you in advance for any replies and suggestions.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

I just have a few questions:

When did these start?

What were the events, activities or circumstances surrounding the condition?

Did these patches present with pain ,scaling or itchiness?

This may be a hypersensitivity reaction, a dermatitis or a manifestation of an underlying systemic disease.

I suggest you get this assessed by a internist. You may need blood tests to be done. A rheumatologist and infectious disease specialist referral may be necessary.

Are there any history of autoimmune disorders in the family?

[whtstang91]

This started about two years ago. No certain activities or circumstances. Itching occures only when they turn red and they only turn red when I am sick with a cold or flu. I do take medication for Anxiety and Panic Attacks which is Effexor XR 150mg/day. I have also been on this medication for the past 2-3 years. It may have something to do with it but I have not found any supporting evidence to prove this. Thanks for responding.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

This rash does not seem very common or typical in its presentation. Its color changes and itchiness appears only when the rash turns red. This has been present for amost two years and the condition seems not to have changed.

This may be a drug related side effect so this is something you may want to look into. Also, if no diagnosis has been given then you may ask your physician if a skin biopsy is indicated at this point. A vascular condition also needs to be ruled out.

Were your bleeding parameters and coagulation factor levels determined?

How large are these patches?

Do they all recur on the same area?

[whtstang91]

No, my bleeding parameters and coagulation factor levels were not determined. Should I ask my Physician about these? Also, the patches range in size. One is about the size of a 50 cent coin and others are no larger then a quarter. But perfectly round in shape. They do recur in the exact same spots each time and I have not noticed any others on my body. Thank you again for all your help.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

I was asking about bleeding prameters because you noted that these patches are bluish n appearance before they  turn red and itch.

Would you say that they looked like bruises or hematoma ?

This is just a differential since some bleeding disorders may appear to look like rash or blotches on the skin which are bluish to purplish in color. Your physician may have ruled this out early on given that the spots usually appear on the same area each time. Nummular eczema and psoriatic lesions may also present as spots but they do not appear bluish.

[whtstang91]

Yes, they definitly look like black and blue bruises. But like I said earlier, when I get sick they then turn red and begin to itch. After I feel better, they then turn back to bruised looking markings.