What Causes Rashes On Arm, Leg, And Ankle Area?

Posted on Tue, 3 Jun 2014

Question: I have been getting rashes on my arm, leg, and especially the ankle area for the past 3 weeks. The rashes are itchy, swollen, and warm to the touch. They also start small but get much larger in the first 24 hours. They fade roughly 3 days later. I get a new rash roughly once every 3-4 days. When I visited a friend's house for a week no new rash appeared, which makes me think this is environmentally-related?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Provide more information

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic

I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your concern and I have understood it.

I would keep a possibility of Urticarial vasculitis. I would like to gather some more information from you in order to be able to help you better.

-Are there any associated symptoms such as fever, joint pains, abdominal pain, swollen glands/lymph nodes etc?
-Any history of drug intake/preceding medication?

regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 minutes later)

no, and no. the only med I have is I've recently been taking allergy medicine (Allegra). but I take these during this time every year for seasonal allergies and I was taking them during the week I was away as well. I don't have any symptoms outside what I described previously.
I am concerned that these may be insect bites?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Papular Urticaria

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Yes, Insect bite hypersenstivity Or Papular Urticaria is a definite possibility, since you don't have any of the systemic symptoms, that I needed to rule out in view of urticaria vasculitis.

Papular Urticaria is a type of hypersensitivity to Insect bite. It presents as urticated itchy papules /plaques on exposed sites, not covered by clothing. It is common in those who are allergic/atopic and some times lasts for days even without any new obvious insect bites.

I would suggest that you use a topical moderately potent steroid e.g fluticasone propionate, twice daily Or else Hydrocortisone cream, twice daily.

Once daily antihistamine e.g Allegra would benefit in papular urticaria 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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar