Itchy Rash

[pollythecat]

I have developed an itchy rash over the course of the last 10 days. It started with just a small patch of raised itchy spots on my shoulder and then spread across the top of my back. Over the last 3 days, however, it has come out all down my arms and legs. It is realy itchy, especially at night (although I suspect that is because of the warmth. The rash is worst first thing in the morning.

I suspect it is an allergy but to what? I haven't changed anything in my diet, or my washing powder, soap, bath gel, or anything like that.

The only thing I could think of was that I had suddenly developed a nut allergy as I have a handful of cashew nuts every evening.

Any ideas?

[cuddleMe]

sounds like a deffo an allegy! i get those after ive had a hot shower or some type of shower stuff i use, i need to use 'for senetive skin' type. when it comes to body lotions i need to use unsented type or for sensitive skins.

it could also do with your washin powder, try using non-bio! that works for me. or what i normally do.. as soon i get them rashes i take one of those allergy tablets, (hay fever ones) they work within 5-10mins very effective :) xx

[pollythecat]

But not changed any of my products and I have been taking antihistamines and it has had no effect.

[cuddleMe]

try using something else! because the manufacturer tend to change their ingredients without letting u know etc! and u might have an allergy reaction to it.
ive changed so many diff products because ive been gettin reactions to them all, i tend to use the non-scented ones now!! but taking the allergy tablets works for me.

if it concerns u go your phamacy or to your gp/nurse for advice?

[Dee Sa]

Have you changed the soap powder to liquid, that you was your clothes in ? I am fine but a pal has an allergy to Bold liquitabs but not the powder.
It could be a form of shingles, go show the GP.
Beware walk-in clinics advice, I walked in with a rash above one eye that started in the US, walk in clinic where the duty nurse said it was a mild dose of shingles, it was not contageous and as it was over 4 days old they could do nothing they could do too late to take any tablets. Went straight from there to Moorfields eye hospital A&E, where a consultant told me it was shingles & contageous and stay away from children and vulnerable people for seven days and started me immediately in the hospital on a course of anti-biotics.
I prefered to take the consultants advice.

[pollythecat]

I was thinking it might be shingles as I feel a little unwell - nothing specific, just weary and the antihistimines haven't had any effect. And I feel sensitive to touch as well which is anothr symptom of shingles but I didn't want to bother my doctor over nothing if it was just an allergy.

[beanebabe]

It might be Cold Weather Itch - I had it all over my legs for a few weeks and it drove me insane. I tried all sorts of itch creams and antihistamines (did nothing except make me sleep). The only thing that seems to have worked is to slap on intensive moisturiser twice a day. Lately, I've been using the new E45 Endless Moisture. Don't use perfumed stuff, anything suitable for Excema is good. When my itching was really bad I put coldies from the freezer on it. Let me know if it works!