What is this rash? Its spreading! With pics.

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Last night I noticed a rash on both arms. I took antihistamine and forgot about it. This morning it's got worse and has spread, so it's now on both arms and up around my neck and shoulders.

It's a bit itchy but not massively. I was at the gym yesterday and thought it could be something to do with my sweat glands but now I'm not so sure. Haven't changed detergent or soap or bath stuff. Do I need to go docs? I just can't really be arsed!

Morning all

Thanks everyone for posting.

I am now absolutely covered from top to toe (apart from the face thanks god although I feel a few on my scalp) in spots. And the itching is driving me WILD.

I'm covered in calomine lotion, had a bath with oats in a sock, taking piriton and was subscribed anti viral tablets (to be taken 5 times a day every 4 hours!!)

Last night was horrendous, the itching was horrendous, my partner had to douse me in calomine lotion twice in the night. Its just so uncomfortable.

I emailed the interview people yesterday and heard nothing back so will follow up with a call later if I hear nothing.

Social services and the family therapy people were very understanding but both go on holiday next week so that's all been rescheduled until the week after, which isn't ideal but hey ho.

One thing I have discovered is that my partner is amazing when I'm ill, and yes, I've miked it for all its worth 😉

Oh no poor you - not sure if it will work the same on adults but poxcillin mousse or virasoothe gel are great - the mousse you can put in your hair

Maggie thanks I will check it out.

I'll try anything at this point

It's not usually suggested, but we found keeping the spots moist with bland things like aqueous cream helped. If the scabs stay soft/don't form, the6 are less itchy and also can't be scratched off to make a scar.

Calamine lotion can make chickenpox more itchy, especially when it dries out.

Eurax cream is good for stopping itching.

Oh poor you! Piriton is your friend, especially before bed as it will help you sleep.

Sympathy 💐
Had CP five times. Got less annoying each time but was confirmed each time.

My son has matched me but daughter only four times!

Hopefully never again.

Throw some chamomile tea bags into a cool bath and soak.

Slather with calamine lotion and cut your nails.

Box set, couch and stay indoors.

Bathe in a bath with head and shoulders in it.

You need to use the calamine cream not the lotion. The lotion dries your skin out making it more itchy. Also drops of peppermint oil in the bath helps, I alternated oat baths with peppermint baths. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Could it be Molluscum contagiosum?

It's CP annie55

I am in a living hell with this unbearable itching.

Have tried oat bath, camomile bath, calamine lotion, calamine cream, eurax, vorasoothe. I am taking anti viral tablets and antihistamines. But there is only brief relief before the itching comes back. Its maddening and I've been in tears with it more than once! Last night I felt really unwell and had the shits.

Just thought I'd have my moan. As you were.

Sounds really awful. I hope you are over the worst soon.

You have my full sympathies. I had chicken pox aged 21 and honestly thought it was the end. I have never felt so unwell and the itching drove me to despair. I would wake myself up scratching. I didnt find anything that relieved the itching, and ended up with lots of scars.

Hope you are feeling better soon

Try the bicarb bath. My DD had it really badly and spent most of the time just lying in cool baths. Really helped.

I had it at 15 and felt really ill with it - I think proper flu last year was probably the worst since, but that was nearly 40 years later. It took the full 2 weeks to feel better.

Hope you are on the mend soon.

Poor you. When my dd had it they were too severe to give her a bath. It just aggravates with the drying etc.

My oaty bath last night was torturous... Although it did help the evening before. I had to get out after about 5 mins, the itching was just hellish I was in tears.

Send dp put for bicarb of soda.

Would a shower help? The lotions and potions are on thick and it feels disgusting (and isn't helping)

I just don't know what to do with myself.

Sorry if I missed this - did GP prescribe aciclovir (antiviral medication). Needed ideally within 24 hours. It really helps limit the symptoms and severity of CP, especially in adults.

The emergency gp just told us not to wash her for a week. Don't shower if it will make you feel worse

Op you have my sympathy. I too had adult chickenpox and it was awful. Lots of good advice here and sounds as though you are doing the right things.
Oh I found small towels in freezer and then lying on them helped for a few mins. My spots were itchy and very painful also.just remember it will go and you will be back to normal. Just takes a bit of time. Sleep and stay hydrated. Eat as well as you can (I had them in my mouth and throat too - was challenging).
Good luck.

Not tried it myself but friends were raving about head & shoulders in bath. I've stocked up ready for DS when he gets it!

So sorry you are having such a horrid time. No personal helpful ideas but just seen over on FB about using Head and Shoulders Classic as a bubble bath. Apparently really helps

Just had a shower, I used the kids shower gel for sensitive skin, it felt good to take the layers of shite off my skin (although I couldn't wait to slather it all back on). Pics of just after I got out. The bloody spots are now all over my boobs as well 😭

Feeling quite headachey now so am back in bed.

Yes the anti viral meds are called aciclovir.

Thanks for all the sympathy and advice xx

I’m sorry to hear this, cp is horrible!
When my son was covered in it I applied pure witch hazel (£2ish for a bottle in chemist) and it helped massively