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What Causes Red Bumps On Back And Underarms?

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Posted on Fri, 18 Jul 2014
Question: I have red bumps on my back and under my arm they burn a little
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Kindly elaborate the query and send pictures

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.

I can understand your concern for red bumps on your back and under your arm.

In view to help you better I request you to kindly elaborate certain points:

- Since how long you have these red bumps. Are these present on one side or both the sides.

- Are these pointed like thorn or soft and flat with dark surface or if you can elaborate the consistency.

- Is there any itching or burning or pain over the same. If yes then what is the grade of itching- mild/moderate/severe.

To help you best I request you to kindly upload good resolution pictures of your affected areas of back and arm so that I can analyze it better. For uploading the pictures you have a facility on the right side of the page or can send on:

YYYY@YYYY

with "attention:Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia"

Hope to hear soon from your side.

With regards,

Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD- Dermatology & Sexually transmitted diseases
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (4 minutes later)
two days and they are under my left arm and on my back they burn a little
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Herpes zoster or Insect bite; Observe and act

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome to the forum again and thanks for follow up.

I was waiting for the pictures to get uploaded so that I could have helped you better.

Anyhow, on the basis of one sided presence of red bumps on left arm and back there are two possibilities:

1. Herpes zoster or simply known as shingles: this is a viral infection due to herpes group of virus. the lesions are initially red bumps and then these forms grouped vesicles exactly on one side of body as you explained.

2. Insect bite: this is hypersensitivity reaction due to insect bite. There are basically red bumps and very severe cases it can form large blisters but not in grouped manner.

To differentiate the both we require to see a good resolution pictures or close physical examination of the area.

You can observe the area for next 24-48 hours. If there is blister formation in a grouped manner then the possibility of shingles is present otherwise it could be Insect bite.

In both the cases there are certain suggestions to be followed:

1. Stay away from hot and humid weather by any means. Do not expose yourself to sort of sunlight which is direct or indirect.


2. Do not apply any creamy or oily stuff with fragrance in it directly at or near the affected areas.

3. Try to avoid any home remedies suggested by your friends or family members or otherwise self implicated therapies also.

4. Do not take hot showers and avoid heavy exercise and gym for few days.

5. Do compressions with cold water for 3-4 times a day . Do compresses by taking a towel dipped in cold water for 5 minutes each time. It will not only soothe skin but also will reduce the swelling.

6. Do not pinch, pop or squeeze or even touch any of the affected areas. I suggest you to even not to touch the area unnecessarily.

7. Wear lose cotton clothes so that the area can be avoided form friction.

For the part of treatment in my patients with your kind of problem I suggest following measure:

1. I suggest my patients to apply "Fluticasone with mupirocin" cream over entire face in a very thin layer for two times (morning and night) under medical guidance. Apply it in such a thin layer that it should not be visible by naked eye. Do not rub it. Do not use beyond 7 days without dermatological advice.

2. For pain part I suggest my patients to take pain killer tablet such as paracetamol for two times a day.

3. For reducing the itching or any irritation I suggest to take tablet "desloaratadine" (Claritin) by mouth under medical guidance for one time if is less or for two to three time if the irritation is more.

Hope these informations will help you.

If you have any further query I will be glad to help or if not then can close the query and rate the answer.

Regards,

With regards,

Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD- Dermatology & Sexually transmitted diseases
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (1 hour later)
here is a pic
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Shingles:antiviral tablets at the earliest

Detailed Answer:
Hello young fellow,

Thanks a lot for sending the picture for analyses. After analyzing the picture it appears to be case of shingles.

I suggest you to meet your family physician and can start with antiviral tablets at the earliest so that further spread could be prevented. It is a self subsiding infection with good outcome in young people. But it would be better if an antiviral therapy could be started as are effective only if started within 72 hours of onset.

Rest of the suggestions are as told before.

Hope these informations will help you.

If you have any further query I will be glad to help or if not then can close the query and rate the answer.

Regards,

With regards,

Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD- Dermatology & Sexually transmitted diseases
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (7 minutes later)
it has already spreaded to my back is it necessary to take medicine to get rid of it
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It is better if antiviral tablet could be started

Detailed Answer:
Hello young fellow,

Thanks for your swift follow up.

In young men there is good immunity to contract the course of illness. But it is spreading so it is always better to take medications to prevent further spread of lesion as well as increase in size.

It happens for only once in life time. The complete course of illness is around 2 weeks. Sometimes there are chances of pain persisting way beyond the illness so it will better if antiviral tablet could be started soonest possible.

Hope these informations will help you.

If you have any further query I will be glad to help.

"With best wishes of early recovery"

With regards,

Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD- Dermatology & Sexually transmitted diseases
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 4165 Questions

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What Causes Red Bumps On Back And Underarms?

Brief Answer: Kindly elaborate the query and send pictures Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum. I can understand your concern for red bumps on your back and under your arm. In view to help you better I request you to kindly elaborate certain points: - Since how long you have these red bumps. Are these present on one side or both the sides. - Are these pointed like thorn or soft and flat with dark surface or if you can elaborate the consistency. - Is there any itching or burning or pain over the same. If yes then what is the grade of itching- mild/moderate/severe. To help you best I request you to kindly upload good resolution pictures of your affected areas of back and arm so that I can analyze it better. For uploading the pictures you have a facility on the right side of the page or can send on: YYYY@YYYY with "attention:Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia" Hope to hear soon from your side. With regards, Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia MD- Dermatology & Sexually transmitted diseases