What could have caused this rash and is there a name for it ?

[FigmentOfYourImagination]

I've had a rotten cold virus for the last 10 or so days - sore throat, blocked nose, big tonsils, blocked ears, etc.

The cold is much better but on Friday morning I woke up with a horrible rash all over my neck, top of my back (now creeping down), my shoulders and my chest (now creeping on to my boobs). The rash is only a bit itchy but is v unsightly. It is like lots of tiny whitehead pimples (sorry if TMI). It actually looks like mini-acne . It is v embarrassing and typically the weather is beautiful today and was boiling yesterday but I feel like I have to cover up and sweat to death because of this horrid flare up.

I took an anti-histamine as soon as I noticed the rash on Friday morning thinking that it may be some sort of allergic reaction and an antihistamine would take it down. It hasn't. I have been putting sudocrem on the spots morning and night to try to stop any infection/spreading.

The rash fades under pressure and I'm not running a temp or anything. The only vaguely weird thing I've had is that the left side of my face went all fizzy, tingly and numb yesterday afternoon for about 3 mins, then returned to normal and my legs have been a bit jelly-like (I keep feeling like my knees are going to give way) for the last 24hrs. Neither of these symptoms are sufficiently severe for me to have freaked out. I'm assuming that they are not connected to the rash and merely a coincidence.

I've been on NHS direct and done their little quizlet on rashes so I'm not worried that I'm about to cark it but it would be nice to know what it is / what I can do to get rid of it.

My first thought is that the rash is some sort of immune reaction to the subsiding cold virus. Could this be a likely culprit ?

(allergy wise, I have no allergies other than mild hayfever and have not eaten/drank anything out of the ordinary)

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YOu probably should ring NHS direct and speak to a nurse. It sounds like an allergic reaction, but I'm no expert.

I don't want to alarm you or scare you - but could it be shingles?

It doesn't sound like Shingles but some of your symptoms make me want to post that you go get this checked.

Shingles can cause a Bell's Palsy in the face and you have the numbness and tingling that makes me think of this. It is also affecting your trunk.

If you have shingles affecting the face you will NEED anti virals because of risk of eye damage.

Go to your out of hours place today.

There is Shingles/Pox going around at the mo where I live which is why I am ready with the info on this

I get a rash like this on my neck and breasts whenever i am unwell! Went to the doctors once and they were no help, they suggested contact dermatitis which I knew it wasn't. I have self diagnosed (thanks google!) urticaria, which as you mentioned is a post viral rash. Mine usually goes after a day or two. hope that helps - it really isn't what you want when you are feeling run down is it?

My son gets Urticaria and it is flat, pink and blobby rather than pin pricky and looks quite alarming like a huge nettle sting that keeps spreading.

How are you FYI?

Hi all

Thanks for your responses.

I'm sorry I've not got back to you. I tried to get back onto MN about an hour after posting my 'bump' and MN was on its arse (again), then we were out for most of the rest of the weekend.

The rash has faded considerably now (good hob as I am in work) and I have had no other symptoms. I am fairly sure it was a post viral rash and nothing more.

Thanks again

good job, not good hob !