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What Causes Itchy Skin With Bumps?

Posted on Thu, 7 Jun 2018

Question: I have been itching since August 2017. At first I thought it was scabies, and I still haven't ruled out that possibility. It began when I used a suitcase that had had a mouse or squirrel nest in it. Mostly the itches are at random places on my body. No blisters, just tiny bumps. The itching on my scalp is the worst and is causing my hair to fall out and not grow back. It is so thin now, I'm considering buying a wig. When I hold a strand of hair up into the sunlight, I sometimes see tiny, tiny white dots on it, not as large as regular lice-- VERY tiny. Sometimes my face itches... eyebrows, eyelids, cheeks, etc and I feel a line of very small bumps. Do you know of a lab where I could send hair samples to? I have tried permethrin according to instructions and it didn't work.

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Needs dermatologist review and work up of chronic pruritis

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to Healthcaremagic. Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible. First of all it's sad to know what you had been going through lately.

Based on the history you have shared, possibility of scabies can't be still excluded and repeatition of permetharin therapy should be done with proper precautions as well as soaking your bedding and clothing in warm water for at least an hour and exposing them to sunlight for at least three days for whole days so that any remnant or larvae may also get killed and lotion can be repeated after one week again after full body bath.

Meanwhile oral anti histamines like cetrizine or loratidine can help with severe itching but workup of chronic pruritis should be done and renal and liver functions alongwith lipid profile and autoimmune profile nay also be needed.

If these are all normal careful and detailed Dermatologist review to rule out evidence of fungal infections should be done as with hair symptoms the possibility of secondary fungal infection specially tinea capitis or versicularis or is strongly suspected and may need topical antifungals lotions and shampoos in scalp may also be needed. Using minoxodil spray may help but other causes should be ruled out first.

Wishing you a speedy recovery. Hope this has answered your query. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask. Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (44 hours later)

Do I use the permethrin on my whole body and scalp? I hesitate to use it near my eyes. Is this advisable? I am currently spraying my head at night with tea tree oil and water, but so far, no results. How do you feel about using permethrin on my face? (Sometimes even my eyelids itch and get tiny bumps on them.) Thank you. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Permetharin shouldn't be used on face

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for the feedback. No permetharin should be avoided to be used on head and neck and face specially eyes. You can use oral anti histamines like cetrizine for itching but calamine lotion can be used on face but better not to used around eyes. Topical Steroids may be needed for face. Avoid these domestic remedies and get it consulted by a dermatologist if it persists. Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (34 hours later)

Thank you for your input. I do plan to see a dermatologist. I had an appointment but the doctor cancelled and rescheduled for February. I'm going to see if I can find someone to see me sooner.

I looked up versicularis and couldn't find it. Is the spelling correct?

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It's tinea versicolor and needs to be ruled out

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for the feedback. Yes dermatologist review here is a must. And yes it's tinea versicolor I meant and that needs to be ruled out as well. 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. Prasad