Does anyone recognise this rash?

[bumpsadaisy11]

I wonder if anyone can help me. My son has been in isolation for several weeks now, because he has an underlying health condition.
He has developed this non itchy rash. It has got worse since this photo was taken & is now covering the whole of his torso, some on his back & some on his arms.
Does anyone have any ideas of what it might be?

[Scootingthebreeze]

I believe it looks like hives from an allergic reaction of sorts? (I'm not a medic)

[BigBairyHollocks]

Looks like hives from an allergic reaction to me too.Have you got any antihistamines he could take? Is his breathing ok? If not you need to call 999.

[bumpsadaisy11]

Thank you both. I was just quite worried because he said that he hadn't eaten/drunk anything new or changed his washing powder.

He has taken some antihistamine, so hopefully he should see some improvement soon.

[Scootingthebreeze]

Sometimes my DC comes up in hives for no identifiable reason but hopefully you can pinpoint what it was!

[BigBairyHollocks]

Hi @bumpsadaisy11 how is he today?

[Tanfastic]

Looks a bit like intertrigo. I sometimes get this under my boobs in hot weather. Itches like mad.

[Kab30]

Hives ....shouldve calmed down with antihistamine xx

[Grasspigeons]

Hopefully its calmed down and was hives. If not pityriasis rosea is a suggestion. (My son gets hives from allergies but he has also had pitriasis and it looked pretty similar)

[bumpsadaisy11]

The rash has continued to worsen, but since taking the antihistamine it has lightened in colour.
Is it possible for hives to be caused by stress? As his partner of 4 years walked out on him & he has had to deal with it all alone in isolation.
He doesn't feel ill in himself, but he is rather worried about the rash.
Thanks to you lovely ladies, I have been able to put his mind at rest.
Thanks to each & everyone of you, I really do appreciate your advice & support x

[ChittyChittyBoomBoom]

Did it begin with a single, large patch that looked a bit like ringworm? My dd had this and a rash over her torso followed. It was pityriasis rosea as a pp suggested.

[ChippyMinton]

Has he has a cold recently? Could be a post-viral rash.

[EsmesRedPetticoat]

Yep I concur with hives/urticaria. I get it when I am cold (!) and my DD gets it sometimes after a virus. It goes down with anti-histamines.

[cathyandclare]

It looks like pityriasis rosea to me

[BigBairyHollocks]

I can’t help sorry but hope it improves soon.

[Scootingthebreeze]

Yes hives can be caused by stress.
I would say that I posted on here about whether to still go to GP about issues in the current climate and was reassured that it's fine. I'd therefore suggest he rings GP this morning as he could most likely ask to email a picture to them for possible diagnosis

[LeGrandBleu]

Covid-19 has skin manifestations including hives. consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/skin-rashes-an-emerging-symptom-of-covid-19/

Does he have any other symptoms?

[bumpsadaisy11]

Hi everyone,

To answer some of your questions, no he hasn't got any other symptoms at all.

He suffers from Type 1 diabetes & literally the day before lock down began, he came out of hospital after being very very poorly with Diabetic Ketoacidosis, which can be life threatening.( while he was in hospital his partner dumped him by text)

He has been in isolation ever since coming out of hospital & is petrified of getting ill again, so the rash sent him into complete turmoil.

Thanks to your lovely ladies & your excellent advice I have been able to reassure him & it looks like the antihistamine are working because the report from him tonight was that the rash is improving x

[Scootingthebreeze]

Glad it seems to be improving and he feels calmer. Hopefully it's onwards and upwards now

[Orchardgreen]

Pityriasis rosea. I’ve had it.
I’m a doctor
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pityriasis_rosea

[Mollymalone123]

I had pityriasis rosea too and it looked like that- on torso- could be a bit itchy and rash stays quite a few weeks but antihistamine would have helped with itching - hope he picks up soon- he’s had a rough time of it!

[Orchardgreen]

I did find that slapping on Diprobase cream helped. Cooling and moisturising.

[BigBairyHollocks]

I’m glad it’s improving. Sounds like he has had a tough time. I hope he feels physically and emotionally better soon.

[bumpsadaisy11]

That is great everyone. Special thanks to @orchardgreen for your help.

He will be very relieved to hear what it is.

[Orchardgreen]

This is a useful site.

dermnetnz.org/topics/pityriasis-rosea/

Interestingly it may be due to reactivation of one of the herpes viruses.
I am quite sure that my episodes ( three, unusually) were triggered by stress, in the same way that shingles can be. Your son has sufficient reasons to be stressed.

The skin does reflect our inner turmoil.