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Suggest Treatment For Pain On The Upper Back Area

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Posted on Tue, 21 Jul 2015
Question: have mid to upper back pain on right side. Spot is extremely tender and there is a red raised blotchy rash above this tender site. Pain subsides with lying down otherwise painful to move and breath.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Insect bite, Muscle spasm, Herpes zoster

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

Thanks for the query.

I have read your query and understood your problem.

Is the rash itchy?

Do you have Diabetes ?

Have you sustained any trauma to the back ?

Do you have similar rash anywhere else in the body ?

Do you have any weakness of the lower limbs, pain radiating to your lower limbs from the back, tingling or numbness ?

From the details you have provided, it appears that you have a localised tender spot on your back which has an overlying rash.

There could be many causes to this phenomenon like insect bite. In this case the rash may be itchy and may have some swelling about it. Other causes like viral infection called Herpes zoster, where there is an area like a band over one half of the back which has blisters and is very painful, sensitive and tender to touch. If you have sustained trauma to that area, it could be soft tissue swelling with organised blood clot or superficial muscle damage.

It appears to be a wheal like reason possibly due to allergic reaction to insect bite like Blister beetle bite.

I would recommend you to use ice packs over the painful area. Avoid applying heat or any counterirritant balms like Tiger balm, as that can irritate a rash and make it worse.

Avoid lying on the side of the pain. Avoid wearing constricting clothes. Avoid sweat accumulation.

Apply calming lotion like Lactocalamine lotion to the region especially if it is itchy. Keep the region airy.

I would recommend you show this rash to a Dermatologist who will thoroughly examine the rash and do necessary investigations like blood counts to rule out infection, blood sugar tests to rule out Diabetes, patch testing for allergies as necessary.

I will be available for follow up queries.

I hope I have answered your query.

Thanking you.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu





Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (1 hour later)
It's not itchy. There was an incident a few days ago twisting to reach items in back seat of car and there has been some heavy lifting last couple of days. Could it be a fractured rib?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Allergic skin reaction

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Thanks for the query.

It looks more to be an allergic skin reaction to possibly your balm or anything else that has come in contact with that part of the skin.

You can take Tablet Levocetrizine 10mg at night if you have itching or if the swelling and wheal are increasing in size, after consulting a Dermatologist.

Apply cold packs which will help to a great deal. Avoid adopting any basin in the site to avoid further reaction.

I hope I have answered your query.

Thanking you.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (17 minutes later)
So an allergic reaction would cause this pain which feels very deep and is quite severe with any movement?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Muscle spasm

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

There could be a muscle spasm or knot which is very painful on movement. Could be due to bad posture at work or while sleeping. Could also be due to a pinched nerve. You have used balm which may have caused allergic reaction.

First show to your Dermatologist to diagnose if it is allergic reaction. Once the skin condition is managed you can consult with an Orthopaedician to look for the above mentioned conditions involving deeper muscles and nerves.

I hope I have answered your query.

Thanking you.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Aashish Raghu

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 5482 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Pain On The Upper Back Area

Brief Answer: Insect bite, Muscle spasm, Herpes zoster Detailed Answer: Hi there. Welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for the query. I have read your query and understood your problem. Is the rash itchy? Do you have Diabetes ? Have you sustained any trauma to the back ? Do you have similar rash anywhere else in the body ? Do you have any weakness of the lower limbs, pain radiating to your lower limbs from the back, tingling or numbness ? From the details you have provided, it appears that you have a localised tender spot on your back which has an overlying rash. There could be many causes to this phenomenon like insect bite. In this case the rash may be itchy and may have some swelling about it. Other causes like viral infection called Herpes zoster, where there is an area like a band over one half of the back which has blisters and is very painful, sensitive and tender to touch. If you have sustained trauma to that area, it could be soft tissue swelling with organised blood clot or superficial muscle damage. It appears to be a wheal like reason possibly due to allergic reaction to insect bite like Blister beetle bite. I would recommend you to use ice packs over the painful area. Avoid applying heat or any counterirritant balms like Tiger balm, as that can irritate a rash and make it worse. Avoid lying on the side of the pain. Avoid wearing constricting clothes. Avoid sweat accumulation. Apply calming lotion like Lactocalamine lotion to the region especially if it is itchy. Keep the region airy. I would recommend you show this rash to a Dermatologist who will thoroughly examine the rash and do necessary investigations like blood counts to rule out infection, blood sugar tests to rule out Diabetes, patch testing for allergies as necessary. I will be available for follow up queries. I hope I have answered your query. Thanking you. Regards, Dr. Aashish Raghu