Red rash and doctors not identifying it correctly

[feelingsicknow]

Please help me - what on earth is this? I've had it for nearly four weeks. It's mainly my upper and inner thighs, boobs, inner arms, shins and calves. A few on my trunk and my face, and backs and palms of hands.

Seen 3 doctors - all said a different thing and prescribed various topical treatments (have now spent over £50 on their prescriptions with no benefit yet).

Their 'diagnoses' were dust mite bites, psoriasis, a reaction and "just a general skin rash". Helpful.

None of the treatments (including antihistamines) have helped and indeed it has spread to the tops of my feet and toes and the palms of my hands since I first saw the doctor.

Husband and DS don't have it so probably not contagious.

Any ideas?

Sorry for the nipple

Fairly sure it's not shingles as it's not painful (just low-level itchy) and covers whole body (not restricted to one side).

Sorry don’t have a clue what it is, but as a long time sufferer of sensitive skin, I wanted to share my sympathy.
Also, it’s interesting that it’s so widespread and apparently not contagious.
I’d be looking at any changes in diet? Any one thing you are eating more or less of (avocados for me), or of course the usual washing powders, soaps etc.
I would ask for a referral and a blood tests to see if you have a deficiency that could be causing it.
Meantime, hope you feel better 💐

Deffo not shingles as that follows a unilateral dermatomal pattern.

I’d be pushing for a dermatology appt at this point I think.

Have you had any other symptoms? Joint aches and pains? Fever?

Scabies?

I’d also ask for some bloods to be done, inflammatory markers, ESR, etc.

The bits on your legs look a bit like vasculitis, but it isn’t usually so widespread.

It’s not scabies, scabies doesn’t get so inflamed, and you can see little silvery tracks where the notes have gone under the skin in Scabies.

*mites

Could it be Guttate Psoriasis? Have you had a cough / sore throat recently?

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guttate_psoriasis

www.pcds.org.uk/clinical-guidance/guttate-psoriasis

Does it itch or feel hot?

I didn't have psoriasis until i was 18, (my dad and nan both have it) then a throat infection triggered it. I started out with a few drop like patches and it spread all over me in a matter of weeks.

I asked the dr if it could be psoriasis and he said no, I think he was probably thinking of the large plaques you get on knees and elbows. Like you an allergic reaction to waging powder or soap was suggested.

In the end I went to hospital and got it diagnosed I received UV therapy.

Good luck sorting it out. Xxx

Thank you good folks for all these helpful suggestions. The lack of consensus reassures me that it is a bit odd and I should push for referral.

FWIW they're not madly itchy - a sort of low level itchiness.

I've felt generally well (until this weekend and got a stinking cold) but have been v stressed lately with returning to work from Mat leave (7 weeks ago).

The only other thing that's happening to me is that I am still shedding a MASSIVE amount of hair, even 14 months postpartum. I have incredibly thick hair so it hasnt bothered me much but starting to get concerned it hasn't slowed down.

No changes in diet or products.

Have you had your bloods tested for any nutritional deficiencies? I think low b6 can cause a similar rash. I'd also ask for your D to be tested; get the actual numbers as NHS 'normal range' is anything but. I'd also get an iron panel done, especially your ferritin - under 70 can cause hair loss. Not saying any of these could identify a cause but low levels of several vits & minerals can cause skin issues, among other things, as well as simply making you more susceptible.

Hope you get it sorted OP, looks v unpleasant for you.

Pityriasis rosea? Do you have one patch much larger than the others

Not really (PP). Evenly dispersed on the areas it appears IYSWIM?!

Well, in saying that, it did start on my boobs (hence the gratuitous boob shot, as that's where it is most 'angry')

Pityriasis rosea. Starts with one patch on chest. Lasts 6 weeks or so. Goes away never to return x

Docs again on Thursday and 'skin specialist' GP thinks it's psoriasis now (he didn't think that the first time I saw him).

Still covered in it and some of it is very itchy now.

I'm so down about it all. I feel freakish and unsightly.

Please don't feel down OP, I hope you get some resolution

It does look like guttate op. I have it and it’s very similar.

The dr will want to start you off with very mild steroid creams that will do nothing. Ask for Dovobet or Enstilar foam. Both will get rid of it I’m 3-5 days.

How are you doing OP? Did you get a diagnosis? The most recent photos do look very like how my guttate psoriasis started.