Intermittent Patches of Itchy Red Bumps at Various Locations

[everfrost]

I'm a generally healthy, non allergic 33YO white male.  For the past maybe two months, I have been experiencing these intermittent patches of itchy red bumps on various locations on my body.  The major recurring points are on my left arm, just distal the the antecubital area and neck, just below my beard line.  I do experience them sometimes on high on my chest, a couple inches above the nipple line, bilaterally.  In addition to this, I have seen them less recurrently on my hands and legs.  The patches of bumps are slightly raised, but not pimply (i.e. no apparent puss filling).  Lotions for dry skin do not affect these areas; whether I moisturize or not, the come and go.  Seems like everyday I have an itchy patch somewhere, but they generally dissipate and disappear within an hour or two.  At night, the dorsomedial surface of my feet tend to be extremely itchy, but no rash.  These occurrences of patches don't seem to follow any general shape, except the on on my arm is generally the largest and kind of oval or circular when "in bloom" and about 2 inches in diameter.  Other occurrences are really just splotches or itchy raised lines even.  Although there were no changes in personal hygiene products, detergents, soaps, powders, medications, foods, etc, I have switched to as many hypoallergenic items as I can think of, to no avail.  

Is there anything you can think that this might be or what I might do to treat it.  Everyone seems at a loss.

Itchy,

Chad

[mm801]

Since 7/15/15, I've had intermittent outbreaks of itchy, pink and some overlapping bumps resembling flea bites from the back of my neck to the insteps of my feet. They occur in patches mostly on my abdomen, front of armpits, upper thighs, buttocks, belt line, ankles and the bare side of arms. Seem to be mild and some disappear without a trace while sleeping and start coming back within an hour after waking. Showering sometimes removes the bumps or just relocates them. I scratched one on my hand, it became a 3/4" scab with a 1.75" patch of smooth skin surrounding it.Dr. prescribed 20mg prednisone, 25mg diphenhydramine & hydrocortisone 1%, said it is likely seafood allergy, but this occurred before eating canned mackerel and sardines in tomato sauce.Healthy56yr male.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Such an itchy rash which appears and disappears is due to hives skin. 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.
If the symptoms persist then get it evaluated from a dermatologist.
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.