Rash

[Kaykirk]

I have a light red patchy rash that has spread over my stomach and back it is not itchy or sore in any way but I am worried as it hasn't gone away yet I've never had a rash before

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Thanks for posting the additional details. From your symptoms it is most likely a viral rash following a viral infection or it can be due to pityriasis rosea. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and for confirming the diagnosis you should get the rash checked from a dermatologist.

Pityriasis rosea is a common human skin disease which presents as numerous patches of pink or red oval rash. The rash may be accompanied by low-grade headache, fever, nausea and fatigue and sometimes by itching. The condition can be diagnosed by physical examination but sometimes a skin biopsy can be done to confirm the diagnosis.

Pityriasis rosea usually goes away without treatment in 2- 8 weeks time but may sometimes take longer to go away. If it is a viral rash then it should go away after the viral infection subsides.

Topical and oral steroids are needed. Water, sweat, and soap may cause irritation and should be avoided in the disease. Topical zinc oxide and calamine lotion are useful for pruritus.

I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and regards.

[Kaykirk]

Hi 1- I'm 19 almost 20
2-the only thing that's changed is I've had the flu vac and tried a new perfume once
3- I don't have any allergies but I do get really bad migraines
4- I first noticed just one wee patch of the rash they kind of look like love bites or old grazes they aren't sore or itchy and I noticed they started to spread within a couple of days and now there are some on my back
5- I had a really bad flu with fever head aches vomiting and diarrhea about a week before I noticed the rash and I had the flu vac after I had the flu
6-I've brought no new clothes or anything like that
7-no one in my house has felt ill or had a rash
8-as I said it is slightly raised not itchy or sore and looks like love bites about a centimeter long and in groups that started just at my ribs and have travelled down my stomach and around to my back they don't feel overly dry definitely not wet a friend of mine thought it was shingles but they aren't sore or raw or anything like that and I haven't been in any pain

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
I can understand your concern but I would like to ask a few questions for your symptoms.
1) What is your age?
2) Is there are any history of change in toiletries, detergents, drugs / medicines or any food changes?
3) Is there any history of any food allergy or any form of allergy/ environmental allergy?
4) What was the sequence of event when the rash appeared?
5) Did you have any history of fever, sore throat, runny nose, diarrhea or vomitings lately?
6) Did you use any new clothes/ synthetic clothes recently?
7) Are any of your family members having similar symptoms?
8) Please explain the rash in detail: appearance, color, whether dry or wet looking, itching, shape
etc.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations but three important possibilities which can present with such unexaplained non itchy rash presenting on trunk and then spreading to back are:

1) Pityriasis rosea: Pityriasis rosea is a temporary skin condition which presents as numerous patches of pink or red oval rash. The rash usually starts with one patch on the chest, abdomen, thighs, or back. After a couple of weeks, it often spreads to other areas. The rash may or may not itch. Initially, a primary plaque, called a herald patch, is seen. Then it is followed by a distinctive, generalized rash 1-2 weeks later. The rash lasts approximately 2-6 weeks and is found in a Christmas tree pattern over the trunk and abdomen.

2) The second possibility is of any allergic contact dermatitis or sweat dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by an allergic response caused by contact with a substance. The first sign of allergic contact dermatitis is the presence of the rash which may be in form of papules, blisters, vesicles or even a simple red area. Depending on the type of allergen causing it, the rash can ooze, drain or crust and it can become raw, scaled or thickened

3) The third possibility for such a spreading rash is a viral rash but it usually follows a viral infection.

Please reply to the above mentioned questions so that I can help you in a better way.

Wishing you good health.