HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Cause Itching And Bumps On Ankles?

default
Posted on Mon, 3 Nov 2014
Question: About 4 weeks ago, I developed red bumps like bites with intense itching on my ankles. Went to see my dermatologist. He felt it was poison ivy or bites. He prescribed Clobetasol Propionate .05%. The bumps faded a bit. Treatment continued for two weeks. Returned to doctor after 3 weeks. Bumps plus new ones were still there. He did a biopsy. I returned this past Thursday. Biopsy for bites and allergic reaction was negative. Dr. felt that these are bites and should go away in another 1-3weeks. I should continue with cream. In the 3 week period, I developed bumps on inside of my right thumb, top side of my left pinkie and bottom side of my right wrist. He did say that if they don't go away, then we have to worry as to what they are and what is causing them. I don't know what he was referring to and am concerned. Three years ago I had a HSV testing. Results showed positive for HSV1 negative for HSV2. I also feel itchy in other parts of my body. My primary doctor knows about the HSV!. He told me not to say anything about it to my dermatologist. I am concerned that this could be HSV! flaring up and I might need antiviral medication. Or could it be something else of concern. I would appreciate your comments and advice on this. Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Need more information

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic

I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query.

I would like to know more about the rash that is concerning you.

-Anyone else in close contact or family who also has this kind of an itchy rash?
-Does it involve any other place apart from those you mentioned?
-Does it itch more at night?Or is it the same throughout the day?
-Can you upload a few representative photographs of the rash at various places?

Poison ivy or bite should have been fine by 2 weeks, with clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream application.

This rash is unlikely to be HSV 1 related. HSV type 1 is a common cause of labial herpes and sometimes genital herpes, as well. It is a local infection and does'nt get generalized.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (7 hours later)
here is information you requested:

1. my wife had mosquito bites at same time that my "bites" developed. Her's have resolved.
2. None
3. Itch is the same during day and night
4. I shall try to send photos. I am having difficulty uploading. Can you make a suggestion on how I can best do it.
Thnx,
Can you supply me with an e-mail address to which I can send uploaded pictures ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Upload Photographs

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

You can either email the photographs at YYYY@YYYY with the subject as "Attn:Dr. Kakkar" Or you can go to the reports section and upload photographs. Kindly upload as many as you can and good clarity photographs

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (7 hours later)
Photos sent
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Scabies or Papular Urticaria

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have reviewed the photographs

It could be either scabies Or papular urticaria, which is hypersensitivity to insect bite. Scabies though classically presents with itchy, excoriated papules at various body sites, it may be not very classical always specially if it is early or in those who have a good hygiene, therefore, it is sometimes better to treat for scabies empirically.

Papular urticaria on the other hand is a hypersensitivity reaction to insect bite and it presents with itching and urticarial papules, distributed mostly on limbs (exposed sites).

If I was your treating doctor I would have treated you empirically for scabies with a single whole body application of a scabicidal like either 5% permethrin or 1% gamma benzene hexachloride, applied from neck downwards to the whole body and left overnight, followed by twice daily application for 7-10 days of a steroid cream (clobetasol proionate 0.05% cream) as you have been using already, to the itchy spots.

You may ask for a prescription for these from your treating doctor.

An OTC antihistamine e.g cetrizine 10mg once daily would help you deal symptomatically with itching.

Regards
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. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9610 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Cause Itching And Bumps On Ankles?

Brief Answer: Need more information Detailed Answer: Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query. I would like to know more about the rash that is concerning you. -Anyone else in close contact or family who also has this kind of an itchy rash? -Does it involve any other place apart from those you mentioned? -Does it itch more at night?Or is it the same throughout the day? -Can you upload a few representative photographs of the rash at various places? Poison ivy or bite should have been fine by 2 weeks, with clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream application. This rash is unlikely to be HSV 1 related. HSV type 1 is a common cause of labial herpes and sometimes genital herpes, as well. It is a local infection and does'nt get generalized. Regards