Rash out of nowhere?

[lochnessangie]

Out of nowhere, yesterday I had a rash. The night before I was a bit itchy but went to sleep fine. I woke up with a rash on each arm right below my elbow. As the day progressed, the back of my neck started itching.

Now, today, the rash seems to have cleared under my elbows but now is prominent on my knees, ankles, wrists and upper arms. I have applied cortizone to help with the itching but is there something I should get to get rid of the rash or will it go away on it's own?

I haven't changed lotions, detergents, shampoos...anything.
The only thing different this winter is that I've been walking to work since I sold my car recently. Do you think it's winter related?

[Dorrina]

Have a skin rash that has appeared out of nowhere on the back of my arms elbows an on my upper back area an on both back legs that really itch I have gone to the dr they have done Allergy test HIV testing all these test that came back negative but can't tell why the rash ha appeared please help any reason why

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

This seems to be contact dermatitis from what you describe. Contact dermatitis is a localized rash or irritation of the skin caused by contact with a foreign substance. Only the superficial regions of the skin are affected in contact dermatitis.

You need to wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites.

Apply calamine lotion at the site of the lesions and see if it helps. You could take some oral antihistamine medications like cetrizine or loratadine. You need to maintain a good personal hygiene .

Anti-itch drugs, often antihistamine, may reduce the itch during a flare up of eczema, and the reduced scratching in turn reduces damage and irritation to the skin.

For mild-moderate dermatitis a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone or desonide), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide).

Keeping the affected area moistened can promote skin healing and relief of symptoms.

It would be advisable to consult a skin specialist for your symptoms and a proper clinical examination.

Let us know if you need any other information and post us on how you are doing.

Regards.