How Can Severe Spreading Rashes On The Body Be Treated?

Posted on Wed, 23 Aug 2017

Question: I have developed a whole-body rash after returning to the US from 17 days in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam). It started in the plane ride home with an itchy hand. Overnight on my first night at home, it developed across my body, worst in the areas below my armpits, knees and ankles. It has a symmetrical pattern. a walk-in clinic doctor said she was stumped, but provided prednisone for 5 days. On my second night in bed, the rash is worsening and spreading up my neck to my face. my wife who was with me does not have this rash, but has a chest infection that developed just before we left to come home.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Upload pictures

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for being at HealthcareMagic
I have gone through your complaints but to have a clearer picture of the condition would recommend you to upload the photographs of the affected areas.
Regards
Dr Asmeet

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (5 hours later)

I have added pictures. I do not have a fever and do not have any digestive problems, and did not get any intestinal sickness on the trip from food or water. The rash seems to worsen at night.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can't see any pictures

Detailed Answer:
I can't see any pictures.
Kindly upload them again under the report section or mail them to YYYY@YYYY as "Attention: Dr Asmeet ".

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (24 minutes later)

I uploaded under the reports section 6 photos. They are showing up for me as reports attached to this question. Can you check again?

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Maculopapular rash, answer few questions

Detailed Answer:
I have reviewed the attached photographs and it seems to be maculopapular rash.
It can occur due to few causes like drug reaction, food allergy or as viral rash.
I need to ask you few questions.
Have you taken any medicines prior to the eruption of the rash?
Do you have history of sore throat, cold, bodyaches, cough prior to the onset of rash?
Do you have rash on palms and soles?
Kindly revert with the answers.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (10 hours later)

Thank you. Here are my answers:

Have you taken any medicines prior to the eruption of the rash?
I had malarone pills during the trip, and live typhoid vaccinin tablet form prior to trip. Also have ongoing zioptan for glaucoma and amitriptalyne to prevent migraines.

Do you have history of sore throat, cold, bodyaches, cough prior to the onset of rash? No.

Do you have rash on palms and soles? Not on soles, but it is on both palms from the onset.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Most likely drug rash, continue prednisolone, take antihistaminic

Detailed Answer:
According to your complaints it seems to a drug rash most probably to malarone tablets or typhoid vaccine.
I would recommend you to continue with the prednisolone tablets you are taking.
Besides this take antihistaminic like tablet Cetrizine 10 mg twice daily and apply a soothing lotion like calamine lotion on the affected areas twice daily.
It will take around 10-14 days to resolve.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (5 hours later)

Actually, I forgot that I did get a mild swollen gland in my throat early in the trip, which lasted about 5 days and did not worsen into a cold. Is this significant and does it suggest a virus? Also, the my palms have been the itchiest part of the rash and seem to worsen at night.

Also, I had the typhoid vaccine and malarone in 2010 with no allergic reaction.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Still looks like drug rash

Detailed Answer:
According to your presentation it still looks like a drug rash.
Allergy can develop anytime.
It is not necessary that if you didn't have a reaction in 2010 you won't get it now in 2017.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (31 minutes later)

OK, thank you.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Welcome

Detailed Answer:
Welcome!!
All the best!!

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. Nagamani Ng