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What Causes Red Bumps On Belly, Itchy Bumps On Arms And Legs?

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Posted on Thu, 20 Nov 2014
Question: my skin suddenly developed red rash, bump type of condition many spots over belly, leg area that arw very itcy. not sure what treatment i can get before i am able to see a doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (37 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Kindly ealborate your query and send pictures.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.

I can understand your concern for the itching and red areas over belly and legs. In view to help you best I humbly request you to kindly tell certain important points related to your problem:

- Since how long you have this itching and red rash condition.

- Does the redness and bumps precedes the itching or itching occurs first and then the area becomes red.

- For how long the redness persist- few hours or more than 12-24 hours.

- Is itching occurs all over body or only on back. Is it reoccurring at the same site on back or randomly occurs anywhere on back.

- What is the severity of itching- mild /moderate or severe.

It would be best if you can click the good resolution pictures of the red spots and send it to me. For that you have a feature on the right of the page to upload the picture.

Tell me you job profile and any other important point which you think is important to tell me.

Hope to hear soon from your side.

With regards,

Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD- Dermatology
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (23 minutes later)
This rash/red bumps started in the last 12 hours. Very itchy and kept me from sleep and it's mostly belly and upper leg, back of knees area, back of my head. As far as I know, the itchy started first and red bumps probably occurred same time or soon after. I had my home kitchen counter replaced recently and did some small plumbing work like reconnect the drainage stuff. Nothing unusual, no contacts with plants that I can think of. I have 2 attached pictures. Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
"Urticaria" or "hives". Loratadine immediately.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome again to the forum and thanks for posting important details along with pictures so swiftly. I can now guide you best regarding your present condition.

After analyzing the complete details and the pictures with diligence I can guide you that you have the condition which is known as "urticaria" or simply known as "hives".

Before I precede further let you understand about your problem. To tell you medically - Our blood contains multiple type cells including red blood cells and white blood cells. Specifically the white blood cells provide immunity to our body which are of further multiple types.

Whenever anything in body is not suitable or offending to body then the number of white blood cells increases suddenly and transiently. Particularly these are eosinophils and basophils which are also known as mast cells.

These cells contain granules which have a specific chemical known as histamine. So as soon as any offending factors come in contact there is bursting of the mast cells. There fore this histamine is released and we experience variable degree of itching and the kind of bumps which we can see in yourself.

The bumps can remain for a very transient period to upto multiple hours. It can remain for more than 12 hours too depending on the intensity of the offending factor but never more than 24 hours.

Now the type of offending factor are innumerable including our food, environmental factors including temperature variation, heat, humidity, cold, dust and even simple of fragrances in air and multiple of other related things and very importantly stress too.

In your case as most probably it may be related to kitchen counter replacement works and plumbing work. You check out for any change in all the factors during preceding last two hours before the bumps.

For the treatment part - it is quite simple and treated with drugs which inhibits the histamine release also known as Antihistamines. I myself prefer Loratadine ( Claritin or Alaspan or Lorfast) in my patients as it is very simple medicine without any side effects of sedation.

In my patients I start with 3 tablets/day as soon as possible. Then I reduce to 2 tablets in next 48 hours. Once there are no lesions/bumps for next 72 hours then taper off to 1 tablets before stopping it.

I hope this information will help you in dealing the condition better. If you have any further queries I will be glad to help you. With good health wishes,

Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD - Dermatology
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (20 hours later)
I went to the pharmacy and got some Claritin, but they are all 10mg and suppose to be one pill every 24 hours. Do i still take 3 tablets a day for the first 72 hours?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Can take 2 tab : morning and evening.

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir,

Welcome again to the forum.

As you have got 10 mg tab so in this case I suggest my patients to take 2 tab daily. If you find that less of relief is present then a third dose can be taken in between. It is quite safe and doesn't have any side effects.

My all best wishes for your earliest recovery.

With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (8 hours later)
after one full day of taking the tablets, i am not getting better, the condition is progressing worse
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You may require a short course of oral steroids.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir,

Welcome to the forum.

Your case is of Acute urticarua where there is quire high hypersensitivity is present. As the condition is acute one so along with antihistamines you may require a short course of oral steroids to be taken earliest.

In my patients I give prednisolone in the dose if 0.5 to 1 mg body weight as per the severity of the condition.

I suggest you to meet a family physician who can give you a short tapering course of oral steroids. Apprised him/her with my suggestion and take the medications accordingly.

My all best wishes for your early recovery.

With regards,

Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY
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
doctor
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 Belly, Itchy Bumps On Arms And Legs?

Brief Answer: Kindly ealborate your query and send pictures. Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum. I can understand your concern for the itching and red areas over belly and legs. In view to help you best I humbly request you to kindly tell certain important points related to your problem: - Since how long you have this itching and red rash condition. - Does the redness and bumps precedes the itching or itching occurs first and then the area becomes red. - For how long the redness persist- few hours or more than 12-24 hours. - Is itching occurs all over body or only on back. Is it reoccurring at the same site on back or randomly occurs anywhere on back. - What is the severity of itching- mild /moderate or severe. It would be best if you can click the good resolution pictures of the red spots and send it to me. For that you have a feature on the right of the page to upload the picture. Tell me you job profile and any other important point which you think is important to tell me. Hope to hear soon from your side. With regards, Dr Sanjay Kanodia MD- Dermatology