Rash that is driving me mad!

[olivo]

About a week ago, I developed some itchy spots on my stomach. Within a couple of days, they had spread to my arms and then my legs, with a scattering on my back.. they are small, and very very itchy. At first I thought they might have been a heat rash as I was in a hot and humid country but I have been home for a few days now and they keep appearing, now mostly on my thighs. Any thoughts please? I haven’t used any different products or anything and I don’t feel unwell.

I take a daily antihistamine anyway so can’t think what else I could do, the itching is driving me mad!

It might be pityriasis rosea which is a harmless viral rash that can last a couple of months, I had it once years ago.

Could be bed bugs or scabies.

I'm never confident budget hotel sheets are boil washed

Get a referral to a dermatologist asap. Our GP had no clue

Thanks for your thoughts. We were staying in a luxury villa but I did check the beds for bugs. Scabies, wondered this too, but where from? And I can’t see the little tunnel trails that are apparently a sign.

if bed bugs, how would they still be appearing a week after being in those beds? I’ve checked ours too and no sign. Would DH not get bitten too?

Strangely I didn't get any rash or itching, just partner.

We can't work out where they came from or why I didn't get bitten, baffling.

Get a referral as soon as you can. NHS took weeks.

Pharmacy may be able to give you something without a prescription.

Urticaria? Are you due on?

Also think Pityriasis.
Starts with one itchy patch/spot and spreads in areas.
I had it for about 6 weeks. Drove me mad. Try an antihistamine that you can take through the day (not the one a day kind) and steroid cream.

I’m on HRT so no periods. I will try the during the day anti histamine. Interestingly, no night time itching and no new spots today. Just on my thighs now.

thanks for your advice, I think I’d better go to the pharmacy tomorrow and see what they suggest; gp appt may take forever!

Did you go in a hot tub?

Yes, I did go in a hot tub… now I am curious. I had initially thought this rash was caused by chlorine as the pool had to be very thoroughly cleaned.

Frozen hot water bottle very useful to sooth itchiness. I had a dreadful rash recently, have an NHS dermatologist's appointment for 6 August 2026!

Thank you, good idea. I’ve had some little ice packs on it. Luckily tummy and back now clear, most of arms also, just thighs, which were the last to appear