Weird Outbreak of rashes

[nivla]

Hi,

I started having rashes(hives) about 6 months ago.  At that time, they outbreaks were intermittent and not too often.  Went to the first doctor (told me it's an allergic reaction) and he prescribed me some anti-histamines that i was suppose to take over the course of 1 week.  Then the rashes went away for a while but once a while i still get some itch.  Went to a 2nd doctor and he prescribed me another anti-histamine which i was suppose to take over the course of 2 weeks to help lower my skin sensitivity.  i was fine for about a month until the outbreak started again.

I notice that my skin is very sensitive to pressure.  Anywhere on my skin where there is abrasion or pressure, there's a tendency for the hives to breakout.  after taking anti-histamines, i don't see hives but bright red spots or macular rashes instead.  it happens mostly on my body (trunk) arms & legs.

I can't pinpoint anything that may trigger the outbreak but i was thinking it might be because i was sleeping in an air-conditioned room (cold & dry) the night the outbreak occurred.

I went to a dermatologist and he told me i have urticaria (without much explanation) and prescribed me fenoxfenadin & prednisone which i'm suppose to take for 2 weeks.  It's been more than a week now and i still see red marks/macular rash.

Can anyone help tell me what the rashes are because i've been given 3 different answers from 3 different doctors?  What tests should i run in order to pin point the cause?
Thanks...

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

With the description you provided, this appears most likely to be a condition called pressure urticaria, which is hives precipitated by pressure.

You must follow the advise of your doctor and trust him.
Hope this helped. Let us know if there are any other queries and keep us posted on your health.

Best regards.

[nivla]

Is there anyway to distinguish whether the rashes (chronic urticaria) are caused by viral attacks or other means?

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It would be difficult to know whether this is caused due to viral means or not. Doctors usually use clinical association to find out what may be the cause. Once it is ascertained that the condition is caused by an allergen, doctors may use various tests to figure out the exact allergen.

Hope this helped. Let us know if you may have any other queries.

Best regards

[nivla]

Hi,

It's been a week since my last dose of anti histamines and so far no outbreak of hives yet.......

But something else is wrong....now my hands feel very sensitive to pressure (It's the same feeling you get after you carry something very very heavy and skin feels warm and a little burning feeling).

What could be wrong now....please help....

[redelladad]

Nivla,

This sounds the same as what I have. I went to the DR and had allergy tests but they revealed nothing. I have had this on and off for 2 years now. Its particularly bad at the moment but I am a loss of what to do. Keep me posted on the advice you get

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

You could take some oral antihistamine or antiallergic medications like loratadine or cetrizine and see if it helps with your symptoms. Apply calamine lotion at the site of the lesions to help soothe the itching.

Have you had allergic reactions in the past? Are you allergic to any specific substances?

You would still need to consult your doctor about the associated symptoms you are having and to rule out a bacterial or fungal infection and whether you need a course of antibiotics or other medications.

Let us know about how you are doing and post us about what your doctor advises.

Regards.

[nivla]

Hi redelladad,

I've been weening myself off anti histamines.  I realize that the anti-histamines, though prevented hives from occuring, causes me to get red spots when pressure is applied to my skin.  
The soreness on my hands and feet are getting a little better.  I still get hives now and then but not as serious as before....Hope i could keep it that way......
I still have no idea how the soreness came about.
I've seen multiple doctors and so far no one could find the source of the outbreak.
Hope you recover soon as well........

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Good to know that you are doing well now and are off the medications.

You could try calamine lotion for the rashes you get at times.

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

Regards.