Rash on side of torso, under upper arm and at bra line

[ldavis3099]

I have been experiencing skin rashes on my torso, under upper arm and just under the arm pit. It has been going on for about 3 1/2 months now. It's very itchy and the red bumps are small and are in large groups. It tends be worse after sweating, showering and sleeping. At first I thought that it was our hot tub, but I'm not sure that's what it is. I'm sure it is an allergic reaction to something, I just can't figure out what it is. I usually drink a few rum and diet cokes in the evening, so I thought maybe its an allergic reaction to the alcohol. I don't know what kind of rashes alcohol can cause. I also have a slight high blood pressure and do not take medication for it. Can high blood pressure cause skin rashes like this?  I have been usually cortisone cream on a daily basis and it never seems to go away.

[ldavis3099]

Thank you for your suggestions. If it is sweat dermatitis, that might explain why my fingers have outbreaks when I wear gloves at work. I wear lotion as much as I can because I do wash my hands a lot at work, but I get small open soars on the tips and sides of my fingers. When I get home from work, I soak them in peroxide and bandage them with an medicine. I believe they are having a reaction from sweating in the gloves. I know that I am not having a reaction from the gloves, because it doesn't matter what kind of glove I use, I still get these soars  every week. Last February, I had my nails done at a salon. It was the gel nails that last for 2 weeks. When I went back to have it removed, she soaked my hands in acetone for an extended period of time. Ever since I had that done, I have been having problems with my fingers and nails.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to sweat dermatitis. The main treatment for sweat dermatitis is prevention. The best thing to consider is to prevent that portion of the body from sweating like by wearing light and cotton clothes,taking cool refreshing baths,maintaining the temperature in your homes and cars and avoiding strenuous activities.

If however sweat dermatitis occurs,then apply mild corticosteroid creams like dermacort or hydrocortisone or calamine lotion on the rashes. Another treatment option is the use of ultraviolet light or sunlamps under the guidance of 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.