Red Itch Rash, Hot to Touch, Allergic Reaction?

[ChristophStone]

Hi

A few days ago I developed a red patch of skin at the top of my left leg. It looks a lot like sunburn, and is warm to the touch, but there was no way that area could have become burnt. Over the past few days more patches have been appearing, on the backs of my elbows and knees, down my forearms and the back of my hands, and across my abdomen. Today they have started to itch like mad. Nothing in my diet has changed, possibly an allergic reaction to something else though? Someone suggested dust mites, and I do sleep on a mattress on the floor because we've just moved into a new house, but all the bed sheets etc are brand new in the last couple of weeks and it seems to be way more like a rash than bites. I have taken standard anti-histamines today but it has not stopped the itching. Just off to have a cold shower now. Any ideas?

Thanks

[MentalSarcasm]

If it's itching more when the rash feels warm then it could be eczema, you can feel a definite difference in temperature between mine and the rest of my arm when it's irritated. Do you normally have dry skin?

You can try asking for some hydrocortisone, which can be bought over the counter at your local pharmacy, but it sounds like quite a big outbreak so chances are you'll need to go to your doctor to A) get it confirmed as eczema and B) get some proper steroid cream to see it off.

[ChristophStone]

Never normally have dry skin, and the patches don't feel dry to touch. I have never suffered with eczma before. I do have some kind of mosquito bite or something on one of my arms, maybe a reaction to that? I have no idea really, it's just driving me insane.

The patches are totally red and then have small blotches spreading away from them, and are slightly raised. Got them going down my fingers and down my legs to my feet now too I just noticed.

[N Dentressangle]

Is there a reason why you don't want to go and see your GP? A real doctor, with training and everything, who can actually see what you're on about tends to be better than internet guesswork.

Or you could just rock up at your local A&E with your life threatening rash, like half the rest of the population do...

[Sleazy Rider]

ChristophStone said:

I do have some kind of mosquito bite or something on one of my arms, maybe a reaction to that?

Ooh Dengue Fever, maybe West Nile Virus. I'd be off to the doctors me.

[Sleazy Rider]

N Dentressangle said:

Or you could just rock up at your local A&E with your life threatening rash, like half the rest of the population do...

Or this and it's a reaction to your new washing powder.

[ChristophStone]

N Dentressangle said:

Is there a reason why you don't want to go and see your GP? A real doctor, with training and everything, who can actually see what you're on about tends to be better than internet guesswork.

Or you could just rock up at your local A&E with your life threatening rash, like half the rest of the population do...

If it's still bad tomorrow then yeah I will make an appointment... But it's a sunday, I'm busy, and I was wondering if anyone on the net would have some ideas what it was and how to treat it to prevent an unnecessary trip.

[condor]

Try cammomile lotion on the rash to stop the itching - since you have the rash all over, just try a small part to make sure it works.

Could it be measles? there is an epidemic going around amongst children that haven't been immunised.

[grumbledoak]

Have you had Chicken Pox before?

[hidetheelephants]

Allergic reaction to something in the new bedsheets? Sling them through the washer to see if it makes any difference?

[N Dentressangle]

So what did the GP say?

Or are you currently choosing some hymns?

[tr7v8]

Sounds like urticaria to me. Try taking 2 anti histamines per day. Desloratadine (prescription only), loratadine, or cetrizine.
I get it on & off & have had it for the last 20 odd years. Changing shower gels, washing powders, stress, virus, food all seem to be triggers.