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Experiencing Allergic Skin Reaction. Having Red Blotches All Over Face, Chest, Shoulders, Neck And Back. Feeling Tight In Throat. Advise?
Question: I am worried about my boyfriend who has been experiencing what seems like an allergic skin reaction for several years now...but they are more frequent now. He will usually complain that he doesn't feel well...sometimes not though...and will within minutes of that break out in red blotches all over his face, chest, shoulders, neck and back. It goes away within a few hours sometimes quicker. He has actually in the past complained that his throat feels tight when it has happened...this past episode he did not though. I have no clue what this could be..and it doesn't (to me) seem to be related to any particular food or detergent or if it is I can't pin point it. He has other issues as well that I need him to take care of such as high cholesterol which runs in his family...which he has been on and off meds for...right now he is taking nothing so of course I worried about that and thought maybe his break outs have something to do with his heart? He is also borderline diabetic...from what his Mom says that runs in the family as well. Within the past year he started taking Testostorone shots because he has lost his sex drive and I believe that did more harm then good....he gained about 30 pounds because of it and now has slight gut which he did not before...he is no longer taking them. So as you can see I have a list on him and I am just not sure where to start first as far as going to the Doctor. ??? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Do not worry it is simple probelm of Urticaria
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome and thanks for posting your query to XXXXXXX
I really appreciate and understand your concern towards your boy friend's problem.
I have gone through the whole series of very well described problem of your friend and it is the classical example of "Urticaria" or commonly we call it as "hives".
To explain you simply- It is a common condition caused by bursting of allergy producing cells in our blood which are known as "mast cells". As the chemical inside them is released in the blood it is dissipated under the skin. As soon as it reaches under the skin it produces mild to moderate to severe transient redness depending upon the severity of the condition. So probably you got an idea why your boyfriend has a rash which you have mentioned. When it is really troublesome then it even can cause swelling around eyes.
It is very much transient, remaining for few hours only. So as soon as the offending factor is taken care of the cells come to normal condition. You can say it is a enhanced form of immunity. There can be multiple factors producing this condition which are included in day to day life and some times it is really difficult to find one exact cause. It can even run in families from mother or father to son or daughter.
Though you have not asked but for the betterment kindly follow the suggestions below:
-Apply over the counter calamine lotion 3-4 times a day.
-You can do cold water compresses to reduce the intensity of itching.
-Do not scratch or rub the skin as it can lead to further aggravation.
-The best measure is to take oral anti histamine like loratadine or levocetrizine continuously for few months under medial advise.
Further let me reassure you more that it is not at all contagious or infectious and can never spread from one partner to other. So just relax and guide your boyfriend too for the condition!!!
Hope these information will help. If you have any further queries I will be happy to help.
"With good health wishes"
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology & STDs)
Do not worry it is simple probelm of Urticaria
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome and thanks for posting your query to XXXXXXX
I really appreciate and understand your concern towards your boy friend's problem.
I have gone through the whole series of very well described problem of your friend and it is the classical example of "Urticaria" or commonly we call it as "hives".
To explain you simply- It is a common condition caused by bursting of allergy producing cells in our blood which are known as "mast cells". As the chemical inside them is released in the blood it is dissipated under the skin. As soon as it reaches under the skin it produces mild to moderate to severe transient redness depending upon the severity of the condition. So probably you got an idea why your boyfriend has a rash which you have mentioned. When it is really troublesome then it even can cause swelling around eyes.
It is very much transient, remaining for few hours only. So as soon as the offending factor is taken care of the cells come to normal condition. You can say it is a enhanced form of immunity. There can be multiple factors producing this condition which are included in day to day life and some times it is really difficult to find one exact cause. It can even run in families from mother or father to son or daughter.
Though you have not asked but for the betterment kindly follow the suggestions below:
-Apply over the counter calamine lotion 3-4 times a day.
-You can do cold water compresses to reduce the intensity of itching.
-Do not scratch or rub the skin as it can lead to further aggravation.
-The best measure is to take oral anti histamine like loratadine or levocetrizine continuously for few months under medial advise.
Further let me reassure you more that it is not at all contagious or infectious and can never spread from one partner to other. So just relax and guide your boyfriend too for the condition!!!
Hope these information will help. If you have any further queries I will be happy to help.
"With good health wishes"
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology & STDs)
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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