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What Causes A Recurring Itchy Rash On Chest And Neck?

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Posted on Thu, 17 Mar 2016
Question: Hi, I have had an itchy rash that comes and then goes over the past month or so. It's most prominent on my chest and neck, but I can feel spots on my face, scalp, back. Yesterday it spread to the area around my bum, and this is particularly uncomfortable. I tried putting comfrey salve on, but now the whole area is red and swollen, and I have work in the morn that requires a lot of walking. Ouch. Can you recommend anything to put on it?
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Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
a few suggestions

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
For immediate relief you can try taking a non-sedating antihistamine like loratadine (over the counter) and using a soothing lotion like eucerine cream or lubriderm. On particularly irritated areas you can try some over the counter hydrocortisone cream but it is important that you not use that on your face or genital areas.
When you are at home cool compresses, taking a cool shower or a cool bath can help. Any heat, even a warm shower can make this type of rash worse.
Next you need to find the cause. Here are some suggestions of things to consider.
Have you used any new personal products, laundry detergents or started taking any new medications or supplements.
Have you worn any new clothing or started wearing any new jewelry. Do you have pets in the house. Could they have gotten into something that you got on your skin when petting them.
Have you been eating any new foods.
If you can not sort the cause of this out by yourself see your doctor or an allergist.
What you describe almost sounds like a medication allergy so look closely at any new supplements, medications or vitamins you have been taking.
Please let me know if you have further questions
Dr. Robinson
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. Kathy Robinson

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1989

Answered : 3535 Questions

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What Causes A Recurring Itchy Rash On Chest And Neck?

Brief Answer: a few suggestions Detailed Answer: Hello and thank you for your question. For immediate relief you can try taking a non-sedating antihistamine like loratadine (over the counter) and using a soothing lotion like eucerine cream or lubriderm. On particularly irritated areas you can try some over the counter hydrocortisone cream but it is important that you not use that on your face or genital areas. When you are at home cool compresses, taking a cool shower or a cool bath can help. Any heat, even a warm shower can make this type of rash worse. Next you need to find the cause. Here are some suggestions of things to consider. Have you used any new personal products, laundry detergents or started taking any new medications or supplements. Have you worn any new clothing or started wearing any new jewelry. Do you have pets in the house. Could they have gotten into something that you got on your skin when petting them. Have you been eating any new foods. If you can not sort the cause of this out by yourself see your doctor or an allergist. What you describe almost sounds like a medication allergy so look closely at any new supplements, medications or vitamins you have been taking. Please let me know if you have further questions Dr. Robinson