Lots of very itchy spots

[WewishyouaBUMPERLICIOUS]

My body is itching like crazy, mostly my torso. I seem to have lots of tiny almost invisible spots, not even sure if they are spots, kind of red patches, but that could be from my scratching. They don't seem to have a head on them, except where I have scratched them so much. It's very frustrating, been going on for about a week now.

We have a new washing powder, but I'm not sure if it is that as I don't think we every buy the same one, and I have never been sensitive to anything before. The only other thing I can think off is I washed my bedlinen in bio powder the other day for the first time, but can't remember if the itching pre dates that and like I said, I have never had sensitive skin before.

Anyone shed any light?

Its not scabies is it?

If it's scabies you would see a tiny hole next to the patch or spot.

Could it be very dry skin? Have you tried an emollient such as aqueus cream?

Scabies is actually a term for the generalised allergic rash caused by the scabies mite. The rash isn't really connected to the site of the mites - there are usually only a few (around 10-15) under your skin, and mainly on your forearms or between fingers. The rash appears between 2-6 weeks after infection and is itchy and red but without any actual 'spots', and can come up anywhere on your body.

I had it last year and we never found out where it had come from.

Ewww, I hope not! I don't know if it's dry skin as it's very discrete areas. Maybe I'll nick a bit of the baby's sudocreme though.

Any history of psoriasis in your family?

Yes, my sister has it dreadfully, but this are just tiny spot like patches.

does it look like a mild version of this?:
guttate

I only ask because it does sound a little like mild guttate psoriasis. Sometimes it can be brought on by a throat infection (particularly strep) That image is quite a bad version but it can be much milder. It may well be worth seeing your gp if you think it might be and telling them your family history.

or of course it might be something completely different

btw I get it severely but it does start of as teeny almost under the skin little patches of rough red skin. Not saying thats what you have by any means but worth half a thought.

I don't think so kitten, it's much smaller than that. But if I still have it next week I might go to the GP. It's almost invisible, you can only see red marks because I've been scratching! Thanks for the help.

What do you do for your psoriasis btw? My little sister gets it very badly and very painfully, now spreading to the soles of her feet.

Cool I'm glad to hear it - I hope you get some relief soon

I've gone through the whole range of topical treatments. At the moment I'm stuck. I can't use dovonex - its too widespread and too merged in with normal skin, ditto dithranol. Ideally I'd go and get some uv therapy but its not that bad that I can be arsed with it and its a huge waiting list anyway. Doctors don't want me using steroid creams as I seem to be unusually sensitive to it and developed steroid induced cataracts and I don't want to use coal tar because the last time I did my bad cat had seizures which I think was phenol poisoning and we nearly lost her.

Gp has taken to looking sympathetically at me and saying 'yes it is bad isn't it.'

But I don't get it on my soles or palms and for that I am grateful as that must be so limiting and painful. Your poor sister.

I have the same thing, I think it's a virus - do you have cold symptoms? Take antihistamines and use an antihistamine cream. It's horrible, esp at night.