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What Causes Skin Rash On Torso, Back And Upper Leg After Having Beer?

Posted on Tue, 10 Jun 2014

Question: Hi I have a strange skin rash that appears on my torso, back, and upper legs mainly, sometimes on upper arms, haven't seen it anywhere else like neck or face or lower legs... At first I thought it was an allergic reaction I developed with beer because I noticed it came around when I drank beer... Sometimes even liquor too but not always.. Yesterday I had some cognac and no signs of new rash. I was wondering if maybe it could be some form or dehydration because I got some the other day after just an energy drink in the morning but no alcohol. The bumps are sometimes just small red raised bumps and when it gets bad they can become larger raised patches usually darker around the border. They don't seem rough or dry really. Any ideas what this could be? I'm convinced it's not allergic.. I'm going to try to make sure I hydrate properly and see if that helps. Thanks for any help I'm considering urgent care if it gets bad again because it takes forever to get into Dr office.

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please answer and post the photos of the lesions.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

You are welcome to HCM.

As you said you have papular and plaque lesions on foot,upper leg,back and arms off and on. They occured after drinking beer. I would like to ask few questions, please answer.

1) from how many days you have this disease?

2) is there a past history of same or other disease?

3) did you take any medicine before this disease?

4) family history of any disease?

5) do you have itching or burning on the lesions?

6) for how much period the lesion remains?

7) bad habit of alcohol,tobacco and smoking?

7) type of work you do?

Please answer above queries and post the photos of affected areas, so that I can help you in better ways.

Thanks.

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Ilyas Patel (14 minutes later)

I have been noticing symptoms for about the past month. This is the first time I've ever noticed these rashes. I have not taken any new medicines. No family history or diseases that I know of. The lesions do itch sometimes but not unbearable. I am a moderate drinker. I'd say I drink about 2 days or so a week.. When I do usually more than 3 drinks either beer or maybe shots of liquor. I work in a kitchen cooking food been working for years here. I notice it the most when I drink but sometimes it seems like it comes around when I don't. And it was happening with a brand of beer I've been drinking for almost 10 years and never had this kind of reaction.

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Urticaria

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome back..

It seems that you may be having urticaria. Possibly it may be allergic urticaria. There may be some cause. Food may be responsible. In your case it may be fermented food. Beer is fermented liquid. Beer might be the cause. Allergy is caused after long time .. I advise you to stop all fermented food including beer and other beverages.

And you may take fexofenadine 180 mg daily in morning and desloratin 5 mg at night even after control of disease for few months. You may take methylprednesolone for few weeks in tappering dose as, 16 mg for 5 days,then 8 mg for 5 days and then 4 mg for 5 days.. Then you stop it.

The lesions may be controlled. I hope you got my answer. Still, any query..you may ask.

Thanks.

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD

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. Vaishalee Punj