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What Causes Itchy Rashes Throughout The Body?

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Posted on Mon, 23 Jan 2017
Question: Itchy rashes all over my body
Started with 2 around my neck 2 days ago
More now
Looks and feels like swollen mosquito bites
Some have gone but much more have come back in different places mainly chest, back, neck and arms
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Hives.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

From the pictures and your description, this looks like hives (urticaria).

Hives usually come on after exposure to something you are allergic to such as a food (shellfish, nuts, peanuts, etc) or medication. They can also come on as an immune reaction after a virus, too. But sometimes we never figure out the source and they go away and don't come back.

Treatment is continuous dosing of antihistamines, usually in higher dosages than for nasal allergies. You can try diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 50 mg every 6 hours, or cetirizine (Zyrtec) 10 mg taken twice a day (can start with a dose of 2 pills).

However, if this is not helping enough, you should go in to be seen (to either your own doctor or an urgent care clinic) where the doctor can give you a corticosteroid medication (prednisone, hydrocortisone, solumedrol) as both an injection and a prescription to take for the next several days. A corticosteroid can dampen your bodies immune reaction to decrease or stop the hives.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (27 minutes later)
Will telfast do the job?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Fexofenadine (Telfast) is an antihistamine, so it should help.

It is hard to say which antihistamine will work best but if you have Telfast on hand, go ahead and use it.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (11 minutes later)
Thank you doctor
You are most helpful
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Good luck.

Detailed Answer:
Your welcome. I hope your hives subside soon, but if they don't, do go in to a doctor/clinic for treatment.

Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, 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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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What Causes Itchy Rashes Throughout The Body?

Brief Answer: Hives. Detailed Answer: Hello, From the pictures and your description, this looks like hives (urticaria). Hives usually come on after exposure to something you are allergic to such as a food (shellfish, nuts, peanuts, etc) or medication. They can also come on as an immune reaction after a virus, too. But sometimes we never figure out the source and they go away and don't come back. Treatment is continuous dosing of antihistamines, usually in higher dosages than for nasal allergies. You can try diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 50 mg every 6 hours, or cetirizine (Zyrtec) 10 mg taken twice a day (can start with a dose of 2 pills). However, if this is not helping enough, you should go in to be seen (to either your own doctor or an urgent care clinic) where the doctor can give you a corticosteroid medication (prednisone, hydrocortisone, solumedrol) as both an injection and a prescription to take for the next several days. A corticosteroid can dampen your bodies immune reaction to decrease or stop the hives. I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.