Please help diagnose my strange rash!

[Kellybee]

Hi. I have had a strange rash for the past two weeks, only on my legs, arms and ears. The rash is a little more concentrated around the knees, elbows and ankles, and is in the form of red, raised bumps with no dicernable pattern to them. It is starting to fade a little now, but the skin has been left affected by the rash with discolorment (almost like Acne scarring) and rough to the touch. I have had no other symptoms of nausea, pain or swelling and the rash isn't very itchy or anything.
Can you help me figure out what this is or what may have caused it? I have never really been allegic to anything, and have not used any new products on my skin recently.
Any ideas???

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It could be eczema, sweat dermatitis, allergic reactions or eczema.

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 eczema 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).

Eczema can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Moisturizing is one of the most important self-care treatments for sufferers of eczema. Keeping the affected area moistened can promote skin healing and relief of symptoms.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eczema

Let us know if you need any further information.

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.

[Carol in PA]

Kellybee,
Quick, get pictures of the rash before it fades.
You may need this in the future for identification and diagnosis.

Carol