Bumps/welts on stomach after tanning bed. Has never happened before. What is this? Please help me, Doc:/

[JCUSN]

I'm a 28 year old, male, and I've been tanning on and off for 10-12 years.  I've never had any issues tanning, and I'm naturally olive complected anyway.

I just recently stopped tanning for about 2 months, and 3 days ago, I started again.  I went back to the same place I've always gone, using the exact same bottle of lotion I always used.

The first time I went 6 minutes, then 8 minutes, then 7 minutes.  After first exposure, no problems.  After the second exposure, I noticed red bumps/welts on my sides of my stomach.  They went away (mostly, but not totally) overnight, so I went tanning again the next day for 7 minutes.  This time, the bumps came back just the same.  Today, they are still present on my stomach, but have faded SLIGHTLY.

They are small, raised bumps...they look like little bug bites.

I've done NOTHING to change my tanning routine, except for that I turned over and laid on my stomach for half of the tanning session.  I never did this before, but I don't see how it could cause this break out.

What are these little bumps/welts?  What can I use to make them go away?

I posted pics online of my stomach:
http://i44.tinypic.com/iwt8j9.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/2uq2k38.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/dfk8j.jpg

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
These bumps look like heat rash or prickly heat. It tends to occur on areas of the body where skin touches skin, such as under the breasts, on the inner thighs, and under the arms. Tiny red spots with itching and pricking sensation are the characteristic appearance of this rash.

Avoid using any lotions and creams for the meantime. Use a mild cleanser with moisturizing properties like Cetaphil. Also use cotton clothes and change the clothes twice if there is any increased sweating. Try keeping the skin free of sweat as far as possible. If the symptoms still persist then you can apply mild steroid like dermacort. For the itching antihistaminics like Benadryl or Claritin can be taken.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[JCUSN]

I stopped going to the tanning bed, and I applied hydrocortisone cream by Aveeno.  I just never risked going back in the tanning bed after this.

However, I have still tanned outside, directly in the sun...and there have been no issues.

Thanks for your help!