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What Causes Itchy Streaks On Skin?

Posted on Sat, 8 Nov 2014

Question: Hi, for two months, since about a week after returning from a trip to the Carribean, I have been getting spontaneous welts that show up on my skin and become long, streaky red lines. They itch like crazy and hurt sometimes too, especially after a shower (trying to keep from taking hot showers and that helps.) Benadryl helps me sleep, but they bother me all day. They seem to start drying up and get better, but then they always come back. I have tried cutting out certain foods that I eat often (i.e. eggs, tomatoes) but nothing seems to help. I have never had issues with hives, only eczema on my hands, which has strangely cleared up in the past couple of months. I do finally have an appointment with a dermatologist in a few days, but i am concerned that it is some kind of parasite or worm. Instict says stress hives because I am under a new kind of pressure in my life, but can stress hives look like these look? And they do not go away quickly as I believe hives normally do. They stay for days and days. Posting photos.

Answered by Dr. Johny Chacko (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Eczema

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome to healthcare magic forum.

I have gone through your history and photograph and I understand that you are having an itchy rash for a couple of months now.

Based on your history and photograph, I would consider the diagnosis of asteatotic eczema which is an eczema related to dry skin.

I see in the photograph that the eczematous rashes are on a background of dry and slightly scaly skin.

They are not hives or welts.

I would suggest you the following-

1. Apply a good moisturizer like Aveeno with colloidal oatmeal 3 times a day. The morning application should be immediately after the shower within 3 minutes on damp skin so that the skin soaks up the moisture.

2. Use a soap free cleanser like Cetaphil cleanser for bathing. Use minimal cleanser and do not rub/ scrub.

3. Use lukewarm water for bathing. Hot water will strip away the minimal oil that you have on your skin and will worsen the rash/ itch. I see from your history that you are already practicing this.

4. Use a cream with 1% Hydrocortisone twice a day on the rashes for 10-15 days. Your dermatologist may suggest a higher potency steroid which will be more helpful. But since hydrocortisone is available over the counter, you could use this till your appointment.

5. You can continue taking antihistamines like Claritin by day and Benadryl at bedtime for another 10-15 days.

Once the rashes disappear, continue the moisturizer, soap free cleanser and lukewarm baths so that the skin is well hydrated and the rashes do not recur.

They do not seem to be a parasitic infestation. Do not worry.

Hope this helps you.

If you have any more queries, I will be glad to answer.

Take care.

Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Johny Chacko (16 hours later)

Dr Chacko,

You have calmed a worried woman! So no parasites or aliens?! Whew! Heading out for some oatmeal cream and looking forward to dermatologist instead of being terrified about what he might say! Thank you so much! I wish I had written sooner!

Jill

Answered by Dr. Johny Chacko (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Do not worry

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

I am glad I could help you.

Take care and wish you good health.

Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko

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. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju