Brief Answer:
Kindly send details & pictures of the affected area.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.

I can understand your concern for the rash with moderate pain in the lower left side of your back and arms as well. After analyzing the query I make probable diagnosis of either "shingles" or "contact irritant dermatitis".

In view to help you best I request you to kindly upload few good resolution pictures of the affected area so that I can analyze and can give you best solution. For the same you have a feature on the right side of the page. Or else you can send your pictures at

YYYY@YYYY

With attention “Dr. Sanjay XXXXXXX Kanodia”

Do let me know your age, gender and related problems of severity of any itching or burning or irritation over the same.

Hope to hear soon from your side.

With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY

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Brief Answer:
"Irritant/ Contact dermatitis": suggestions below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome again and thanks for posting your details with pictures.

After analyzing your query along with pictures I can make out "Irritant/ Contact dermatitis" or in simple words allergy to contact of some irritant material on the affected area.

The possibility of shingles is out as the rash is present on both the sides. So you can very well relax for the same.

To explain you elaborately about the possible condition - Due to exposure to any irritant material such as any creams or new cosmetic product or sometimes anything coming in contact with the areas can cause the problem. So there can be initial redness and itching with mild pain sensation. As one scratches it or due to exposure to environmental factors such as sunlight, sweating dust and hot humid climate, it can get aggravated.

This is a quite simple problem which we see in our day to day practice and persist for only the time till the aggravating factor is present. So the most important part in your management is avoidance of the aggravating factor enumerated all above.

For the betterment kindly follow the suggestions below:

1. Avoid direct sunlight and hot – humid climate.

2. Wear cotton clothes and avoid synthetic clothes.

3. Stay in cool environment (preferably AC) and avoid sweating.

4. Take two time bath once in morning and at night time which will soothe your skin and prevent the aggravation of the problem

5. Do not Pinch pop or squeeze or rub any area.

6. Do not use any deodorants or any cosmetics over and near the affected area.


For the part of treatment I suggest following measures to my patients:

1. To apply over the counter available calamine lotion on the affected area in day and afternoon time. Apply it in very thin layer.

2. To apply plane fluticasone or hydrocortisone cream in a thin layer in morning and at night time. Apply in a very thin layer so that it should not be visible to naked eye.

3. If there is any irritation or itching is present then can take tablet “Loratadine” or "Deslotatadine" tablet by mouth up to 2 to 3 times.

4. For back pain you can take over the counter pain killers.

I also reassure you that the pain at lower left back is not related to this rash, so do not worry about the same.

I hope this information's will help you. If you have further queries I will be happy to help.

"Wish you good health and early recovery from the problem"

Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology)

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