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Have Tiny Itchy Red Spots. Worst At Night And Spreading. Noticed Bleeding. What Could This Be?
Question: Hi,
I have tiny red dots that itch (insanely) and often scar. In addition, I have freckle-like brown spots. I have had them for a couple of years. No Doctor has been able to identify the problem. They are worse at night (exterminator said no bed bugs). They began to spread and are now spreading like wild fire. The itchy red spots always bleed when scratched and form round scars. They came out of no where. I thought allergies and saw an allergist/immunologist. No allergies. I saw 2 dermatologists who could not identify. Definitely not a bug of any kind.
I am even more concerned now as the skin is turning brown around a group of these things. Any ideas?
I have tiny red dots that itch (insanely) and often scar. In addition, I have freckle-like brown spots. I have had them for a couple of years. No Doctor has been able to identify the problem. They are worse at night (exterminator said no bed bugs). They began to spread and are now spreading like wild fire. The itchy red spots always bleed when scratched and form round scars. They came out of no where. I thought allergies and saw an allergist/immunologist. No allergies. I saw 2 dermatologists who could not identify. Definitely not a bug of any kind.
I am even more concerned now as the skin is turning brown around a group of these things. Any ideas?
Hello,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic and thank you for writing to us.
Tiny red dots that are insanely itchy and spread is likely to be urticaria that is cholinergic (temperature dependent) in nature. Scarring doe NOT occur in urticaria usually but only whne there is underlying inflmmation of blood vessels (urticarial vasculitis) ir you have applied strong steroid creams.
Allergies (on skin tests or blood tests) are usually not the cause for this type of skin condition and therefore not surprising that no allergies were found.
Hypothyroidism is sometimes a cause for this condition especially when the replacement dose of thyroxine is insufficient or when anti-TPO antibodies are extremely elevated.
Autoimmunity is a major cause of recurrence in some patients and you seem to have at least 2 autoimmune disorders - diabetes, hypothyroidism.
A skin biopsy may be indicated but unable to comment as the picture you have uploaded did not help.
Long acting antihistamines (such as fexofenadine 180mg plus hydroxyzine) will help but needs to be taken daily.
Depending on the skin biopsy report, treatment may need to be changed.
I hope that was useful.
Best Wishes.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic and thank you for writing to us.
Tiny red dots that are insanely itchy and spread is likely to be urticaria that is cholinergic (temperature dependent) in nature. Scarring doe NOT occur in urticaria usually but only whne there is underlying inflmmation of blood vessels (urticarial vasculitis) ir you have applied strong steroid creams.
Allergies (on skin tests or blood tests) are usually not the cause for this type of skin condition and therefore not surprising that no allergies were found.
Hypothyroidism is sometimes a cause for this condition especially when the replacement dose of thyroxine is insufficient or when anti-TPO antibodies are extremely elevated.
Autoimmunity is a major cause of recurrence in some patients and you seem to have at least 2 autoimmune disorders - diabetes, hypothyroidism.
A skin biopsy may be indicated but unable to comment as the picture you have uploaded did not help.
Long acting antihistamines (such as fexofenadine 180mg plus hydroxyzine) will help but needs to be taken daily.
Depending on the skin biopsy report, treatment may need to be changed.
I hope that was useful.
Best Wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My question had info in it that was not addressed. Mainly, I had mentioned itchy red dots. However, I also mentioned freckle-like things that have also spread all over and have caused brown skin discoloration in a couple of areas. That was not addressed. I am seeing my own allergist/immunologist this month and would love to have this information to present to him. My question was asked yesterday-late afternoon. Please advise.
Hello,
Sorry about the delay in the reply as my clinic just got over.
Freckles are usually evidence of sun damage on skin and left over pigments. These freckle -like things are usually not a remnant of previous itchy red dots but separate as the cause mentioned above.
Lasers have now been developed to treat or 'remove' freckles and Dermatologists with experience in Lasers should be consulted. Irritation is a common side effect and topical creams will help.
Sour cream mask, lemon juice or citrus fruit extract application help lighten the freckles or chemical peeling is also done. Lasers are the way forward if you do not like using the home remedies.
I hope that was useful.
Sorry about the delay in the reply as my clinic just got over.
Freckles are usually evidence of sun damage on skin and left over pigments. These freckle -like things are usually not a remnant of previous itchy red dots but separate as the cause mentioned above.
Lasers have now been developed to treat or 'remove' freckles and Dermatologists with experience in Lasers should be consulted. Irritation is a common side effect and topical creams will help.
Sour cream mask, lemon juice or citrus fruit extract application help lighten the freckles or chemical peeling is also done. Lasers are the way forward if you do not like using the home remedies.
I hope that was useful.
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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