symmetrical bite-like sores

[alabee]

for the last few months i've been experiencing a gradual outbreak of bite-like sores on my arms and legs. they tend to appear one at a time, and do not fade for around two or three weeks - this is often because they do not get a chance to heal, as they itch so badly overnight that by the morning they're bleeding and so need to scab over again. they are around 2-4mm in size. there is no liquid/pus inside the swellings; they are just hard, raised bumps, which bleed when scratched. they seem to appear in a symmetrical pattern; i first found one on my right forearm, and, as this faded, one in the exact same spot on my left forearm appeared. then i found one on the inside of my right elbow; as this faded, one on the inside of my left elbow appeared. the same now happens with ones on the insides of my calves, and on the insides of my thighs. although they began to appear individually, i am now noticing small clusters of them - at the moment, i have four on my right forearm within about three centimetres of each other.

at first i thought the bites may be from bed bugs or dust mites as i was living in a tiny, cramped room that i wasn't able to clean properly. recently, however, i have moved house and thrown out my old mattress/duvets/bedding, and now keep everything clean and dust regularly.

after having tried to look up similar irritations on the internet, i have become slightly worried that i might have dermatitis herpetiformis (associated with celiac disease), simply because the bite-like rash looks very similar to mine (although mine is nothing like as extreme; my bites are much more sparse). there is a strong history of diabetes and IBS in my family, which i see can be related to celiac disease, and i am always very tired/lethargic.

does anyone have any idea what my odd, mirrored bites could be?

thanks in advance for any help!

[hanniebabe]

Hello! I know that you posted years ago, but I was wondering if you ever figured out what was causing your symmetrical, itchy bumps that look like bug bites. Reading your post, you described exactly what I'm experiencing. The bumps have mirrored from one elbow to the other, the same spot on the backs of both of my arms, the sides of both of my hands, same spot on the top of both feet, both knees, under both arms, both sides of my upper torso. They're incredibly itchy overnight and take weeks to finally go away.

This started up after I moved into a new house in September. I thought it was bugs (but never saw any) or that maybe it was related to my bed but I've been washing the sheets/ comforters and my boyfriend hasn't had any itchy bumps at all.

I'm planning to go to an allergist and get tested but if you got any answers about what's causing your bumps, I'd be fascinated to know! I would love some answers!

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,

This could be an allergic rash elicited by the cramped conditions and associated factors that you have mentioned.

All the bumps may not be insect bites but a few bites initially might have triggered off the reaction.

The pathological reaction that takes place on your skin due to foreign particles is considered as allergy rash.
As every one of us doesn’t have similar skin types, the immune system also varies from person to person.

Itchy and swollen red bumps or patches all over the body is the way they present and they will appear in clusters at different periods of time.
This kind of skin inflammation with swollen red itchy patches all over the body is the most common form of allergy rash.

You can treat it by taking oral anti-histamines like Cetrizine/Loratidine.Also apply a menthol/camphor based cream which will relieve you of the itching.
ref:http://www.allergyasthmazone.com/allergy/factors-that-can-contribute-to-allergy-rash/