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Suggest Remedy For Small Itchy Skin Rashes On Neck While On Klonopin
Question: Several weeks ago, I had a skin rash localized just on the front of my neck. It appeared as small red blotches and was very itchy. I've never experienced such a thing and was recently before this prescribed .5 mg of klonopin for anxiety/stress. It became worse so I stopped taking the klonopin. Coincidentally, the rash went completely away within 3-4 days after stopping this medication so we thought it was an allergic reaction.
Fast forward about 3 weeks and the rash popped up again out of nowhere. Same exact thing where there are small red blotches only on the front of my neck below where I shave and very itchy. The rash is nowhere else and I have no other symptoms at all (good appetite, no fever, feel good otherwise). I am taking the medication Ativan now .5mg. I have taken Ativan before with no adverse reaction so now I'm thinking it may not have anything to do with these medications.
The blotchy red spots are flat and not raised. The skin itself all feels smooth..only the red splotchy spots on the front of the neck. I will try to upload a pic..
What could this be? Anything serious? I have tried putting cortizone on it in the past with no luck and now trying XXXXXXX butter as well as A&D ointment. Also, I have not added any new face lotions, laundry detergent or dry cleaners that I've never used before....
Fast forward about 3 weeks and the rash popped up again out of nowhere. Same exact thing where there are small red blotches only on the front of my neck below where I shave and very itchy. The rash is nowhere else and I have no other symptoms at all (good appetite, no fever, feel good otherwise). I am taking the medication Ativan now .5mg. I have taken Ativan before with no adverse reaction so now I'm thinking it may not have anything to do with these medications.
The blotchy red spots are flat and not raised. The skin itself all feels smooth..only the red splotchy spots on the front of the neck. I will try to upload a pic..
What could this be? Anything serious? I have tried putting cortizone on it in the past with no luck and now trying XXXXXXX butter as well as A&D ointment. Also, I have not added any new face lotions, laundry detergent or dry cleaners that I've never used before....
Brief Answer:
urticarial rashes or hives likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to health care magic,
I have read your query and reviewed both the pictures you uploaded.
These red blotchy spots/rashes are likely to be having acute urticaria or hives which is an allergic reaction but there is nothing serious here since it can be fixed with oral and topical anti-allergic medications (antihistamines).
Itching is subjective in individuals which could be mild to severe.
Urticarial rashes or allergic hives can occur due to various causes like,
1) Infections (bacterial, viral, fungal)
2) Certain drugs(Pain killers/ antibiotics etc)
3) Certain foods and food additives/preservatives
Or It might be physical urticaria occurred as a result of physical touch,pressure, heat,cold,anxiety, exertion etc.
In a few cases, no underlying cause is found and are known as idiopathic urticaria.
In your case,it might be because of klonopin (clonazepam) and also rashes went away after discontinuing the medication.
You should take oral antihistamine like benadryl or tablet levocetrizine 10 mg twice daily for 2 or 3 days which are available over the counter.No need to apply steroids at present but no issue with A&D ointment
A topical soothing lotion like calamine would also be helpful symptomatically.
I would expect that you will start improving in 2 or 3 days or in case if not,then it would be advisable to see some nearby doctor who may order routine blood counts with ESR after careful inspection this rashes and can prescribe you appropriate treatment according to the underlying cause.
But no need to worry as it generally disappears in a few days with just symptomatic treatment.
Hope this will help you.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
urticarial rashes or hives likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to health care magic,
I have read your query and reviewed both the pictures you uploaded.
These red blotchy spots/rashes are likely to be having acute urticaria or hives which is an allergic reaction but there is nothing serious here since it can be fixed with oral and topical anti-allergic medications (antihistamines).
Itching is subjective in individuals which could be mild to severe.
Urticarial rashes or allergic hives can occur due to various causes like,
1) Infections (bacterial, viral, fungal)
2) Certain drugs(Pain killers/ antibiotics etc)
3) Certain foods and food additives/preservatives
Or It might be physical urticaria occurred as a result of physical touch,pressure, heat,cold,anxiety, exertion etc.
In a few cases, no underlying cause is found and are known as idiopathic urticaria.
In your case,it might be because of klonopin (clonazepam) and also rashes went away after discontinuing the medication.
You should take oral antihistamine like benadryl or tablet levocetrizine 10 mg twice daily for 2 or 3 days which are available over the counter.No need to apply steroids at present but no issue with A&D ointment
A topical soothing lotion like calamine would also be helpful symptomatically.
I would expect that you will start improving in 2 or 3 days or in case if not,then it would be advisable to see some nearby doctor who may order routine blood counts with ESR after careful inspection this rashes and can prescribe you appropriate treatment according to the underlying cause.
But no need to worry as it generally disappears in a few days with just symptomatic treatment.
Hope this will help you.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Really appreciate the detailed report. Is it a concern that the rash went away completely for 3 weeks and came back at the same spot or does this seem less concerning that it recurs versus being persistent. It lasted more than week before, but do you have any recommendation on topical lotions? (shea butter, etc.)
Or do you just suggest calamine
Or do you just suggest calamine
Brief Answer:
Not a concern much.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the reply.
Urticarial rash could occur anywhere in our body at anytime by above mentioned causes or sometimes there is no definitive cause can be seen.We can just manage them accordingly but they are very rarely serious or need significant medical attention.
As I said earlier,they easily get subsided without any definitive treatment or with just symptomatic medications on SOS basis.
Also,it is not uncommon that they came back again at the same spot (at front of neck where men use to shave which is one of the commonest site) and may remain for more days than earlier.
If they remain persistent then it would be advisable to see doctor preferably dermatologist for complete medical history including history of allergy,clinical inspection and he/she may order some routine blood works (blood counts with differential counts,ESR,CRP),allergic testing (IgE antibodies etc) to find out some specific cause.
As I said,they generally subsides with oral antihistamines (LEVOCETIRIZINE) and suppose antihistamines are not much effective then you can also take mast cell stabilizers (MONTELUKAST) with topical lotion like Calamine to prevent itching which is commonly seen at urticarial sites.
Avoid using oral or topical steroids (although they are strong anti-allergic medicines) as far as possible.
I would not personally recommend XXXXXXX butter which is a moisturizer and emollient but not much effective in urticaria.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Not a concern much.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the reply.
Urticarial rash could occur anywhere in our body at anytime by above mentioned causes or sometimes there is no definitive cause can be seen.We can just manage them accordingly but they are very rarely serious or need significant medical attention.
As I said earlier,they easily get subsided without any definitive treatment or with just symptomatic medications on SOS basis.
Also,it is not uncommon that they came back again at the same spot (at front of neck where men use to shave which is one of the commonest site) and may remain for more days than earlier.
If they remain persistent then it would be advisable to see doctor preferably dermatologist for complete medical history including history of allergy,clinical inspection and he/she may order some routine blood works (blood counts with differential counts,ESR,CRP),allergic testing (IgE antibodies etc) to find out some specific cause.
As I said,they generally subsides with oral antihistamines (LEVOCETIRIZINE) and suppose antihistamines are not much effective then you can also take mast cell stabilizers (MONTELUKAST) with topical lotion like Calamine to prevent itching which is commonly seen at urticarial sites.
Avoid using oral or topical steroids (although they are strong anti-allergic medicines) as far as possible.
I would not personally recommend XXXXXXX butter which is a moisturizer and emollient but not much effective in urticaria.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
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. Arnab Banerjee
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