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What Causes Red Bumps On Legs And Arms After Drinking Alcohol?

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Posted on Wed, 4 Mar 2015
Question: I believe I may have angioma. A day or two after I drink alcohol I get small red bumps over my legs and arms and they go away after a couple of days of not drinking. It is very itchy. Is this a sign of liver disease?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not spider angiomas seen in liver disease.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.

Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:

1. It does not appear to be spider angioma. They are more commonly found on face, neck, and upper part of trunks. Once they are found in liver disease, it wont disappear till liver functions improve. Alcohol abstaining for few days, would not improve liver function.

2. It appears to be more of allergic reaction - possibly to contents in alcohol or environmental

3. Eosinophil count during itching red bumps period, should show increased eosinophils in blood.

4. Not liver disease. Can confirm based on AST, ALT and alkaline phophatase levels. A complete liver function test may be not necessary.

Hot shower washes off allergic reaction and lotion has a soothing effect. Antihistamines like cetrizine or loratidine can reduce itching.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
If you think, your query is resolved, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Dr. Prakash HM
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (36 hours later)
I would like to take it a step forward because I am presently working in Dutch Harbor Alaska an isolated island in the Aleutian Islands that doesn't have any doctors. I won't be able to see my personal physician until March/April.

Here is some background.
*It was one year ago when I first had symptons which were very small bumps on my buttocks and back of my thighs, but over the course of time they would come and go and eventually grew into small red bumps.

*What started as just a handful of small bumps has periodically turned into several hundred small red bumps all over my legs, my arms, and my abdomen.

*They only recur on a weekly or bi-weekly basis and sometimes I go for a month or two and they don't appear at all.

*For example, I had no problems last week or weekend, but they appeared on Monday night, grew into the hundreds on Tuesday, went away on Wednesday, but appeared again last night. They also only seem to appear for the first round in the evenings.

*In addition to the red bumps my hands and feet are really itchy.

*Of special note. I went to an allergist two years ago for sinus reasons and they stuck hundreds of pins in my arms, legs, and back and the results were that I wasn't allergic to anything. But this was before these red bump itchy symptons developed on my body.

QUESTION: When I do see my personal physician in the spring, what type of tests would you recommend that I talk to him about concerning this skin problems I'm experiencing?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (12 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Eosinophil count and serum IgE studies.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.

Sudden appearance and disappearance should be a allergic reaction. No other possibilities can be thought of.

When you meet your doctor, do get an eosinophil count and Serum IgE studies. Based on serum IgE studies, further evaluation is possible.

At present, take antihistamines like cetrizine or loratidine for itching and apply calamine lotion or any soothing lotion.
Try to evaluate for any possible cause, depending on onset.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.

Dr. Prakash HM
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
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Answered by
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Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda

Geriatrics Specialist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2138 Questions

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What Causes Red Bumps On Legs And Arms After Drinking Alcohol?

Brief Answer: Not spider angiomas seen in liver disease. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for asking. I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query. Based on your query, my opinion is as follows: 1. It does not appear to be spider angioma. They are more commonly found on face, neck, and upper part of trunks. Once they are found in liver disease, it wont disappear till liver functions improve. Alcohol abstaining for few days, would not improve liver function. 2. It appears to be more of allergic reaction - possibly to contents in alcohol or environmental 3. Eosinophil count during itching red bumps period, should show increased eosinophils in blood. 4. Not liver disease. Can confirm based on AST, ALT and alkaline phophatase levels. A complete liver function test may be not necessary. Hot shower washes off allergic reaction and lotion has a soothing effect. Antihistamines like cetrizine or loratidine can reduce itching. Hope it helps. Any further queries, happy to help again. If you think, your query is resolved, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Dr. Prakash HM