Teenage boy with recurring red spots which hurt

[user1486312877]

Getting a bit desperate here! DS - 17 - came out covered in spots in June. Doctor said it was chicken pox, but I knew it wasn't. He'd had it badly as a toddler. Spots didn't really look like chicken pox anyway (fell out with the doctor over it - whole other story). No blisters and no scabs. The spots went away, but have come back at least five times since then. Always on his trunk, at the sides usually, some on his arms and one or two on his face. They hurt when touched. I've taken him to the doctor 5 times!! No one has a clue what they are. Antibiotics haven't helped. They just keep coming, then fading. His poor bod is getting covered in purple marks where old spots have been. Does anyone have a clue what this could be? Any suggestions greatly appreciated - thanks!

[Japonicathehorseygirl]

Could it be shingles? Suggest to go back to doctor

[Itsalwaysfridaysomewhere]

Molluscum??

[user1486312877]

No, not shingles. That's what I thought at first, but it doesn't follow a nerve. Thanks, though.

[user1486312877]

I've looked at that, but they fade too fast and don't look 'blistery' enough. Spots only last a week. Deep sigh ...

[GlitterGlue]

Do they itch? Do antihistamine have any impact?

Could it be something like this? en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pityriasis_rosea

I would want a referral to a dermatologist at this point. If you don't already take photos of the spots to take to the appointment.

[CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger]

Hidradenitis Suppurativa possibly?

Have you tried Cidal soap? Locum doc suggested it to me after regular doc had exhausted other treatments and it was a bloody miracle worker!

[user1486312877]

No, they don't itch at all, but if I touch one with my finger her always says 'ouch'!

[user1486312877]

I looked at the Hidranitis Suppurativa and it's not that - mind you, I haven't come across that before in my myriad searches. They don't crust over or weep, just fade and leave a purple scar. Still, something else to rule out, so thanks for the suggestion.

[dnwig]

Pustular psoriasis?

[user1486312877]

I don't think it's pustular psoriasis - not as dramatic. Just red spots - quite big - which hurt when touched and leave a purple scar once they fade. The first crop did have tiny little blisters on top, but subsequent outbreaks have been as virulent. Thanks for all the suggestions, though.

[ClaudiaWankleman]

Is it possibly an allergic reaction? Can you think of any factors common to the days immediately preceding the outbreaks? I had a similar allergic reaction (I believe to pesticide remaining on fruit) which occurred in a similar way to how you have described, occurring mainly around my waist and spreading from my wrists up my arm, with some facial swelling.

[user1467798821]

I have hidradenitis and what you get is boils around sweat glands, so underarms, groin, buttocks, genital areas,although it's not unheard of to have it on the body it's extremely rare. And although they occur in clusters, it's not normally all at once then they fade, my grand daughter has just had bullous impetigo and it sounds similar

[user1486312877]

Thanks for all the suggestions. The hidradenitis does sound more severe than what we've got here. Thanks for the post, though.

[MinisWin]

Guttate psoriasis? Don't think it would usually hurt, more itchy and uncomfortable, but the distribution fits.

[JustSpeakSense]

Would it be worth keeping a food diary, to try to determine if spots flare up due to an allergy?

[Lanny81]

Could it be hives?