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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Severe Itching On The Upper Back, Chest, Arms And Face. Hives On Neck And Shoulder. Need Help

Hi, I have been dealing with severe itchiness on my upper body. It is much worse during the night and even wakes me up during the night. The areas involved are my upper back, chest, shoulders and upper arms, neck, head and face. It has been over a month and is starting to really get to me. When I am woken by it, my head and neck is so severe and then I even have very itchy hands. My neck, chest and back have welt like hives of all sizes and when scratched have actually become very large. I have not changed any soaps or anything like that. Hives are normal for me as I have had them most of my life mostly on my neck and sides of my face and have learned to deal with them, but this is so much more severe. Any ideas?
Mon, 8 Apr 2013
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Dermatologist 's  Response
hi,
Going by the sites involved in your case, seems like only the sun exposed sites are involved....ie face, upper back, chest and arms....So incase you feel that you have any kind of irritation or itching that develops on exposure to sun , then you might be suffering from photodermatitis or sun sensitivity..
Photdermatitis may result in swelling, a burning sensation, a red itchy rash and sometimes even peeling of the skin. There may also be blotches where the itching may persist for long periods of time. The rash in this case is seen mostly over the sun exposed areas...
Prevention includes avoiding exposure to the sun and wearing sun block on the affected area.
Cover up: wear long sleeves
Wear sunscreen at least factor 26 with a high UVA protection level
Other than the general precautions as listed above , you might need to take antihistamines(antiallergic drugs) for the initial acute episode atleast along with topical steroids,,,so if there is no improvement with the general precautions , then visit a dermatologist so that your condition can be assessed and managed accordingly////

Hope it helps

Dr Geetika Paul
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Severe Itching On The Upper Back, Chest, Arms And Face. Hives On Neck And Shoulder. Need Help

hi, Going by the sites involved in your case, seems like only the sun exposed sites are involved....ie face, upper back, chest and arms....So incase you feel that you have any kind of irritation or itching that develops on exposure to sun , then you might be suffering from photodermatitis or sun sensitivity.. Photdermatitis may result in swelling, a burning sensation, a red itchy rash and sometimes even peeling of the skin. There may also be blotches where the itching may persist for long periods of time. The rash in this case is seen mostly over the sun exposed areas... Prevention includes avoiding exposure to the sun and wearing sun block on the affected area. Cover up: wear long sleeves Wear sunscreen at least factor 26 with a high UVA protection level Other than the general precautions as listed above , you might need to take antihistamines(antiallergic drugs) for the initial acute episode atleast along with topical steroids,,,so if there is no improvement with the general precautions , then visit a dermatologist so that your condition can be assessed and managed accordingly//// Hope it helps Dr Geetika Paul