
Have Rash All Over Skin. Starts Like Small Bump, Swells, Burns And Itches. What Could It Be?

Question: hi I have rash all over my skin. at first I thought maybe it was bug bites like bed bugs but I am the only one in my house who has it. The only places it isn't touching is my throat/neck and palms and soles. the bumps start out looking like those little ingrown hairs from shaving but then begin to swell, burn and itch. what could this be?
Hi, XXXXXXX
Your complaints are the generalised itchy papular eruptions on whole body except neck,palms and soles.
But,with this much history it is difficult to reach the diagnosis.
And that is why I would like to ask you few questions.
What is the duration of your disease?
At what time you itch more?
Do you take any medicine? And so, from how many days?
Is the rash appears and vanishes, and again occurs?
Is there past history of such rash?
Do you have bad habit of alcohol,tobacco or smoking?
Are you working woman? If so, what?
At present if you have skin lesions, please post the photograph.
For clear conclusion, please answer and send the photo of the lesions.
Thanks.
Dr. Ilyas Patel MD
Your complaints are the generalised itchy papular eruptions on whole body except neck,palms and soles.
But,with this much history it is difficult to reach the diagnosis.
And that is why I would like to ask you few questions.
What is the duration of your disease?
At what time you itch more?
Do you take any medicine? And so, from how many days?
Is the rash appears and vanishes, and again occurs?
Is there past history of such rash?
Do you have bad habit of alcohol,tobacco or smoking?
Are you working woman? If so, what?
At present if you have skin lesions, please post the photograph.
For clear conclusion, please answer and send the photo of the lesions.
Thanks.
Dr. Ilyas Patel MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T


I have had it for about 1 month, it itches most when I am sweating, (I live in Florida)I take lunesta, Cymbalta, and hydroxodine. I have been on all three for three days. It does get a little better than get worse again,no history of such rash, I smoke cigarettes an drink socially but haven't drank for over a month. I am a full time mom with three kids and I work from home full time jarring organic foods. I will send a picture but my phone doesn't take very great pictures.
Hi, XXXXXXX
Thanks for reply and photograph.
After reading your history and seeing photo, it seems that you are having prurigo simplex.
Prurigo simplex is a skin disease characterised by itchy erythematous papules.
It is induced by allergy, atopy or insect bite.
It is an abnormal reaction or hypersensitive reaction to different stimuli..like dust,insects,sun rays, pollutants,grass, wool,fume, chemicals or anything...
It may be aggravated by rubbing, anxiety,depression,warm weather,soap bath,dryness of the skin..etc
The condition is often chronic ,with recurrences and remmissions.
It may also accompany malignant tumor,leukamia or Hodgkin's disease... These should be ruled out by investigations like blood tests and sonography.
You may take ...Oral antihistamines..like levocetirizine 5 mg twice a day till itching is relieved.
And short course of oral steroids like methylprednesolone in tappering dose may be taken.
There may be mild infection.. So, take an antibiotics for one week.
Application of steroids with antibiotics cream will improve the disease.
If the papules are very itchy, intralesional steroids may be taken from expert.
You have to quit bad habit of smoking and alcohol,as it may aggravate the condition.
One more important thing is your mental status..depression and anxiety may worsen the disease..so you be calm and cool. Have positive attitude. Have patience in all works. Have good sleep.
Avoid heavy exercise and spicy food ,as sweating may be there ,which in turn aggravate your disease.
I hope you will be alright and reccurences may be prevented , if you will follow my advice...ok
I think, I have given answer which might satisfy you , if still you have query ,you may ask. Otherwise please close the discussion after accepting my answer.
Wishing you early recovery.
Thanks.
Dr. Ilyas Patel MD
Thanks for reply and photograph.
After reading your history and seeing photo, it seems that you are having prurigo simplex.
Prurigo simplex is a skin disease characterised by itchy erythematous papules.
It is induced by allergy, atopy or insect bite.
It is an abnormal reaction or hypersensitive reaction to different stimuli..like dust,insects,sun rays, pollutants,grass, wool,fume, chemicals or anything...
It may be aggravated by rubbing, anxiety,depression,warm weather,soap bath,dryness of the skin..etc
The condition is often chronic ,with recurrences and remmissions.
It may also accompany malignant tumor,leukamia or Hodgkin's disease... These should be ruled out by investigations like blood tests and sonography.
You may take ...Oral antihistamines..like levocetirizine 5 mg twice a day till itching is relieved.
And short course of oral steroids like methylprednesolone in tappering dose may be taken.
There may be mild infection.. So, take an antibiotics for one week.
Application of steroids with antibiotics cream will improve the disease.
If the papules are very itchy, intralesional steroids may be taken from expert.
You have to quit bad habit of smoking and alcohol,as it may aggravate the condition.
One more important thing is your mental status..depression and anxiety may worsen the disease..so you be calm and cool. Have positive attitude. Have patience in all works. Have good sleep.
Avoid heavy exercise and spicy food ,as sweating may be there ,which in turn aggravate your disease.
I hope you will be alright and reccurences may be prevented , if you will follow my advice...ok
I think, I have given answer which might satisfy you , if still you have query ,you may ask. Otherwise please close the discussion after accepting my answer.
Wishing you early recovery.
Thanks.
Dr. Ilyas Patel MD
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. Shanthi.E

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