itchy rash?

[kittybob]

I have gone through about 3 rounds of this the last couple of months.  First I had a red, bumpy rash on my chest, no itch, felt like tiny bumps.  Then it seemed to be on the top & sides of my shoulder/upper arm & upper back.  The chest are if scratched seemed to have a minescule hard whitehead in it.  It itched at night a couple of weeks.  I had a cortisone shot (40 mg), tried different creams, lotions & it went away.  Then about 6 weeks ago I had shaved my armpits & probably put deoderant too soon afterwards.  I also put on a new shirt & shortly thereafter my armpits started itching badly.  It was definitely worse if I got warm or sweat.  This went on, usually worse late in the day or overnight.  I then had the rash come back, same areas, but this time it went further down my back & I had a spot on my belly as well.  Really doesn't look like a rash but it itches & when I scratch it it gets red & I can sometimes see very tiny red spots, especially if when I scratch my inner forearm.  Definitely worse late in the day & overnight.  Maybe heat &/or sweat makes it worse.  I have terrible scratch marks from my fingernails, these look like bruise spots around my armpits.  Also my groin started itching too.  Why the crack of the arm & leg?  Anyway, it kind of when away the 2nd time & I am now starting round 3 with the itching.  I changed detergent, soap, tried Tinactin, cortisone, beadryl, lanacane, Clotrimazole, of course not for lengthy periods of time but I somehow don't think these are the answers to any of this.  I stopped some supplements I was taking  as I thought I might have too much in my system but that changed nothing.  I have been doing tons of internet searching trying to find an answer.  My last thing it could be (if it's not yeast, fungus, bugs, supplements, or I don't know what yet) is that I have been on Carbamazapine for a number of months for back pain.  I was taking 200 mg am & pm, not that much but it may have built up in my system.  Also I started taking Trazadone a month or 2 before this started, 50 mg at night as I had much trouble sleeping & didn't want to take Ambien again.  I also take Rozerem.  The Rozerem without the Trazodone didn't get me to sleep.  I see that sometimes either of these 2 medications can give you a rash yet I can find nothing about what type of rash you get from them to confirm that's what I have.  I was away & went in the sun one day recently & I think that may have made it worse that night.  I lasts a couple of weeks, fades away & then comes back.  I'm going crazy!  Any information anyone might have would be a great help.  Thank you so much.

[kittybob]

Hi, thanks for your comments.  The items I mentioned were all things I tried briefly to get rid of the itch, all a temporary fix.  I spoke to the dr. yesterday & we decided to assume it is from one of the 2 medications I've been on & to wean off them one at a time.  I'm hoping that this is the case and that it quickly goes away.  I can't imagine what else could have possibly caused such a reaction.  The vitamin supplements I stopped taking made no difference so I don't think it was from them.  Very frustrating when you can't pinpoint what is causing your problem so that you can rectify it.  I'll post an update as to whether stopping the meds ends the itching/rash.  Be well everyone.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

With your case, you have been taking several medications and there are several factors that seem to trigger or aggravate the rash. Your medications may be possible factors as well as other environmental factors like weather, food, and stress.

Rash as in your case is quite nonspecific.That is , it may be due to several disease conditions. I suggest you have this assessed by an allergologist so you may have to be tested for these possible triggers. It is important to avoid any triggers.

Differentials may be seborrheic and atopic dermatitis.

Are there any associated joint pains? Chest pains?

Any other associated symptoms with the rash?