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Suggest Treatment For Rash On Right Forearm

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Posted on Sat, 5 Sep 2015
Question: I have a rash on the right forearm - warm to the touch, about 3 in by 5 inches, red, not itchy. no blisters. there is no 'target' shape or anything, and pretty sure it was not a bite.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Need clear images of the region please :)

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I hope you understand that no skin-related conditions can be diagnosed or treated without a physical or visual examination. But I promise to try my best to observe and advise accordingly, but for that I would like to request you to please attach clear images of the affected region to our discussion.

Please either attach images to our discussion or email them to me at:

YYYY@YYYY

Please make sure you mention 'ATTN: Dr. Shoaib Khan' in the subject line so the email can be directed to me. Once I view the rash from your images, I may also have a few more questions, I hope and pray for your help and co-operation so that I can help you further. :)

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Per request, here are two photos of the rash. I also attached them to the discussion.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
A few suggestions, with a few possibilities listed

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am and thank you for the images.

From the images it doesn't seem like the region is raised or is similar to a rash that can be related to any particular skin disease. In fact to me, it appears to be either of the following:

+Liver abnormality
+Side effect of medication
+Stress, anxiety, depression
+Systemic diseases (e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus, etc.)
and a few other possibilities.

I would thus like to ask a few questions:

+Weight and height?
+Do you indulge in fatty food often?
+How often do you drink any alcoholic drinks? And please mention the quantity?
+History of hepatitis or liver related abnormalities?
+List of current medications?
+Family history of any medical conditions?
+Smoker? If yes how many per day?
+Any other symptoms?
+Did the benadryl make any difference?
+Are you experiencing any menopausal or pre-menopausal symptoms?
+Cardiac health? Tolerance to physical activity on a level of 0 to 5, 0 being non-tolerant and 5 being extremely active and can tolerate physical activity very well

I look forward to hearing from you in order to help you further. But if at all you do have access to a medical centre or doctor and have you insurance in place, then I would recommend a complete blood profile and physical examination by a doctor with special emphasis on your abdominal organs.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (36 minutes later)
I am vegetarian - about 150 and 5'6"...
I drink maybe 1 glass of wine a week
I don't smoke - never have
No medications except vitamins and minerals.
no menopausal symptoms.
Cardiac health - medium - walk and do yoga, but don't do much heart rate raising activity.
The benadryl did seem to make a little bit of difference. The rash is actually fading just a bit and is not as warm.
I am a gardener, and may have come into contact with some plant I am alergic to, but there was no itching and that didn't seem to fit.
No history of liver/hepatitis.

Do have quite a bit of work stress, but this happened over the weekend.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (20 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Seems more like an allergic reaction to me now

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

My sincere apologies for the delay.

+150 pounds and 5 feet 6 inches puts your BMI at 24.2, which is within normal range
+1 glass of wine per week is fine
+Non-smoker: Which is good
+Not on any medications
+Still fertile and active
+If benadryl helped, it could be attributed to an allergic reaction which from the above information does seem more likely now than it did initially
+Not all allergic reactions need to present with an itch and/or swelling, although these are the more common symptoms
+Good

From the above information we have almost completely ruled out:

+Liver abnormality
+Stress, anxiety, depression
+Side effect of medication
+Systemic conditions

Leaving us with only the possibility of this being a hypersensitivity reaction/allergic reaction. Taking this into consideration I would recommend the following:

+Continue the use of benadryl for a few more days
+Apply a cold cream or calamine lotion over the region
+Try to observe any skin changes after contact with specific plants in your garden and avoid further contact
+Keep chlorpheniramine or pheniramine as back up in case you experience a more severe allergic reaction and take one tablet immediately after symptoms appear
+Drink plenty of water

I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.
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. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Rash On Right Forearm

Brief Answer: Need clear images of the region please :) Detailed Answer: Hello ma'am and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I hope you understand that no skin-related conditions can be diagnosed or treated without a physical or visual examination. But I promise to try my best to observe and advise accordingly, but for that I would like to request you to please attach clear images of the affected region to our discussion. Please either attach images to our discussion or email them to me at: YYYY@YYYY Please make sure you mention 'ATTN: Dr. Shoaib Khan' in the subject line so the email can be directed to me. Once I view the rash from your images, I may also have a few more questions, I hope and pray for your help and co-operation so that I can help you further. :) Best wishes.