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Suggest Itchy Reddish Rash On Hands
Question: I'm a CVICU nurse and have recently developed a red rash/hives on my hands. They are itchy and appear after I have taken gloves off, washed hands and do my charting on the computer. I have been put on Prednisone for the first outbreak. The second outbreak happened 5 days after completing the Prednisone and spread from my hands up to my elbows, itching on my face, tingling of my lips and tightness of my throat. I'm now carrying an Epi pen should the symptoms show up again when I go back to work. Any suggestions or ideas as to what this is/related too? Thank you
Brief Answer:
Could be urticaria
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic,
From your description it seems like you are having urticaria. If it was allergic contact dermatitis it should be restricted to only hands. But in your case the rash has spread to your elbows, face and lips. You have described the rash as hives which is again consistent with urticaria.
If urticaria lasts for more than 6 weeks, it is called chronic urticaria, lesser duration than that fits in acute urticaria. The most common cause of acute urticaria is food. Seafood, meat, poultry, egg, milk, apples, brinjal, strawberry, coloring agents etc are commonly implicated. It is subjective and any food can cause it. Other common causes are medicines, infections, insect bites etc. Even latex can cause urticaria which might extend beyond the area of contact.
The mainstay of treatment of urticaria is long acting anti histamines like Fexofenadine 180 mg or Loratadine 10 mg once daily and not short acting like Benadryl.
Hope this helped,
Take care.
Could be urticaria
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic,
From your description it seems like you are having urticaria. If it was allergic contact dermatitis it should be restricted to only hands. But in your case the rash has spread to your elbows, face and lips. You have described the rash as hives which is again consistent with urticaria.
If urticaria lasts for more than 6 weeks, it is called chronic urticaria, lesser duration than that fits in acute urticaria. The most common cause of acute urticaria is food. Seafood, meat, poultry, egg, milk, apples, brinjal, strawberry, coloring agents etc are commonly implicated. It is subjective and any food can cause it. Other common causes are medicines, infections, insect bites etc. Even latex can cause urticaria which might extend beyond the area of contact.
The mainstay of treatment of urticaria is long acting anti histamines like Fexofenadine 180 mg or Loratadine 10 mg once daily and not short acting like Benadryl.
Hope this helped,
Take care.
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. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
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