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Itchy Rashes Above The Ankle. Due To Bug Bites?
on my left leg just above my ankle area, I have a couple of small flat red places that sometimes itch . They are bright red at first, then later become brown and start to fade. I first thought they might be some strange bug bites from working outside this summer. But now that I am not outside anymore, I still get one or two.
Mon, 24 Sep 2012
HI there. Thanks for your query at HCM. As i am wont to say, dermatology is a 'visual' field. So it would be great if you could upload some good clear photographs of the rash onto this site using the 'upload data' icon on the right side of your screen. In the interim, your guess of an insect bite reaction seems fairly accurate & intelligible. The reason it does occur indoors is probably due to the presence or infestation of dust mites/fleas etc in our indoor surroundings including carpets/rugs/ blankets etc!
There are two approaches you could take. First, visit a skin specialist (dermatologist) nearest you & get an opinion/skin biopsy & then move onto the treatment or simply apply a potent corticosteroid cream that you may get over the counter if you have a friendly neighbourhood pharmacist on hand & do remember to treat the fomites & spray the surroundings etc! But, do remember if you go with the cream, then no biopsy can be done for at least two weeks after stopping said cream. In any case if the cream & and a non sedative antihistamine (fexofenadine 180) does not work, then best visit the dermatologist. Cheers & Good LUck!
Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD
There are two approaches you could take. First, visit a skin specialist (dermatologist) nearest you & get an opinion/skin biopsy & then move onto the treatment or simply apply a potent corticosteroid cream that you may get over the counter if you have a friendly neighbourhood pharmacist on hand & do remember to treat the fomites & spray the surroundings etc! But, do remember if you go with the cream, then no biopsy can be done for at least two weeks after stopping said cream. In any case if the cream & and a non sedative antihistamine (fexofenadine 180) does not work, then best visit the dermatologist. Cheers & Good LUck!
Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD
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