Does the skin rash need further treatment?
Patient: My arm touched a wet rock at the edge of a stream and started burning and itching. I looked at it and there were little fuzzy hairs that must have rubbed off the rock onto my arm. Over the course of a couple of hours the fuzzy hairs were replaced by a red bumpy rash. What is this? Should I be worried? Was there some unseen organism that caused this? Doctor: Hello and welcome to HCMYou seem to have developed an allergic reaction to moss/lichen or some similar substance present on the rock. The rash developed as your skin reacted to it.I would advise you to clean the area with soap. Do not rub or scratch the area. If the rash has stopped spreading or is reducing on its own, you can apply a soothing menthol or calamine lotion to calm the itching. If the rash is still active and irritating, apply a mometasone cream over the area for 3-5 days till rash goes away.Also take an antihistamine tablet once daily such as fexofenadine, levocet for 5 days.This should bring the allergy under control.In case you notice any blistering, discharge, swelling or fever or persisting rash, do consult a dermatologist who may prescribe steroids or antibiotics as required. Also if you have any breathing difficulty, wheezing, dizziness etc, visit the ER and get a cortisone shot.Hope this helps.