Please help me identify this rash

[Cudz]

Hi
For background I have never suffered with skin allergies or rashes previously, however around 8 months ago I've developed some kind of dermatitis or something that causes my eyelids (upper and underneath) to be constantly red, dry and scaly and they swell up at least once a week too which is a nightmare. It took me an age to see a GP but when I finally did I had to push hard for a referral to the allergy clinic which they did but that was months ago and I haven't heard a thing.
Last week I woke up and my shoulders, neck and chest are now covered in the awful, angry, itchy, raised rash shown in the photo attached. Again I've tried to see the GP about it but can't get an appointment and the pharmacy won't give me any advise as I have an open referral. Does anyone have an idea what the rash is? Is it hives? Because I can't get any medical advice I've just been putting aveeno on but I'm not sure if that's making it worse? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

Have you recently had a baby, started or stopped breastfeeding? After my second daughter, my skin changed entirely and for years (about 6) I could only use aqueous cream on my face. My eyelids did exactly what you are describing with anything else (very sad to stop my beloved clarins!). It was contact dermatitis. Now fine again, but it was terrible.

I’m wondering if the Aveeno is doing something similar, or if it was triggered by a body lotion or something?

I saw the new year in with a friend who is a dermatologist. She was telling me about a notable increase in the number of people developing bullous pemphigoid following Covid. It came up in a conversation about how long people were suffering due to GPs trying lots of things before referring on.
It is an auto immune condition that previously was seen mostly in older people, but some younger people seem to be impacted by Covid. She said it usually goes after 18-24 months and until then it can be managed through steroids that GPs can't prescribe.
Following my convo with her, my take away is to insist on a dermatology referral.

You poor thing!

I get various skin conditions- have a low level autoimmune condition

Your eyes - are they better? I have protopic from GP / dermatologist for this as I get it on my eyes and mouth. Heals it in a day or 2. (Does say not to use on eyes or mouth but dermatologist wasn't worried). It doesn't thin the skin like hydrocortisone

Non prescription creams I find helpful for rashes elsewhere are

Aveeno - green top. Blue aggravated it
Cera Ve
Elizabeth Arden 8 hr miracle (for things on my face)
Eurax - stings if the skin is open tho

Bathing it in bicarb of soda can help
Oats - hung over bath tap in a muslin cloth
I've also smoothed natural yogurt all over and let it dry

Initially when struggling to get a referral to dermatology, I emailed my MP and cc'd the practice manager in. Detailed how long it'd gone on for and what I'd tried
Got a referral quite quickly - my MP contacted the hospital

I’m sorry you’re still suffering OP.

Do you need a dermatologist or rheumatologist or both 🤷‍♀️.

Can you afford to go private,even for initial appointment? You may have answered up thread but I’ve only read from where I bookmarked.

A 2 year wait is bloody awful.

That looks like prickly heat. Have you changed perfume recently? That can trigger it.

Have tried a steroid cream yet? Over the counter hydrocortisone?

I'd do one area, see if it subsides. It looks like prickly heat my some used to get. His started in his hairline, then spread down his neck and behind his ears. Fiendishly itchy, but easily resolved.

I haven't worn perfumes, make up or any cosmetics since this all started so it isn't related to that. I've tried steroid creams but they made no difference and neither did antihistamines unfortunately

Ah op, that's looks so irritating.

I'm another that's veering towards psoriasis, it looks very similar to the rash I had when I had it following a very stressful time. By the time I was referred to a derm it was pretty much gone as the stress had resolved. Mine avoided my face, hands and feet but my torso was covered. I still get flare ups on my wrists when I get very stressed but on the whole it never returned to the same level.

My GP initially diagnosed a whole load of different issues rather than psoriasis including a fungal infection and chicken pox before the derm saw me months later so I tried many creams which did sod all.

I remember using a whole lot of E45 which kept the worst of it soothed at least but I still ended up scratching a lot in my sleep and making it bleed so decent pjs were useful.

I hope you get it sorted soon.

Not necessarily, it’s angry pink patches I get and very itchy. It can look white on darker or tanned skin.