Severe itching & small red rashes on abdomen & then all over the body. Treatment ?
Patient: During my first pregnancy (15 yrs ago) i had experienced severe itching & small red rashes on my abdomen & then all over the body except on my face.After the delivery the itching slowly disappeared. Almost after 13 yrs during winter i had same problem again that only abdomen and upper thighs. Our family doctor prescribed Clobetosol with Propisylic acid cream for local application, this worked out well ,so i continued using for subsequent winter period as i had the same problem . This year the same treatment is not at all working on me, instead the rashes are spreading towards my lower legs with severe itching. I want proper advise and treatment for this. Doctor: Your symptoms are suggestive of Acute Urticaria. This is usually caused by either intake of a new prescription drug like penicillin or an OTC drug like aspirin, systemic infection (either bacterial or viral), food additives, seafood or intestinal worms. The last is usually only of significance in children. Stress is also a major cause of an outbreak. Now about the drugs you are on - they are unlikely to be the culprit since you have been on them for so long.  Many times it is not possible to find out the cause, however since most episodes of acute urticaria are self limited within 4-6 weeks of onset of symptoms, it is not imperative to do so. I would recommend taking Tablet Claritin 10 mg once or twice a day for 2 weeks + calamine lotion over the affected areas whenever symptoms occur and seeing whether they recur on stopping the medicine after 2 weeks. If they do then restart treatment for another four weeks and then stop and see. If they still recur then you will require some blood tests and will need to see a doctor in person.  Please note that if you have any lip swelling or difficulty in breathing you should see doctor right away.  Hope this information is useful, please feel free to ask if you have any queries. Please feel free to ask if you have any queries.