red blotchy chest/neck rash

[nurseam]

Just wondering if anyone has a 'miracle cure'!!  For a few years now, I've been getting a red blotchy chest/neck rash in circumstances where I - am drinking alcohol, anxious, nervous, excited, upset - really feeling just about any emotion.  It's gotten to the point where I do not expose my chest/neck ever - and cover up whenever I can.  I had read once that taking Niacinimide could help - and I've been taking about 1000mg of it for a few months, but am not seeing much improvement.  Anyone with any help or suggestions I would REALLY appreciate it.  

[rossty]

Claritin "D" shouldn't make you drowsy.  Antihistamines such as benedryl will make you drowsy; however, the addition of the decongestant psuedoephedrine in Claritin D counters this.  

If anything, claritin D will make you feel a little too 'clear' and possibly jittery similar to caffeine.  This is an effect of the pseudoeph.

Make sure you get the "D".  Other claritin's don't have psuedo and WILL make you drowsy.

I'm actually in a 5 day communication skills type training session and I've been testing the Claritin D each day we have presentations.  The first day I took the 24h D at 7am and got minimal red splotches when I presented around 5pm.  I think it was wearing off a little despite the 24h claim.  Today I took it at 1pm before my presentation at 5pm and the red rash was VERY minimal.  I asked the critiquers to watch for it and give me feedback.  Normally, without the medicine, the rash is solid and very noticeable.

I also mentioned testing Prep H as a topical solution.  I retract this suggestion.  Prep H is 99% petroleum jelly and would leave you very greasy to say the least.

[Repo438]

I get itchy with it to

[Kelliz]

I know other people have posted this but i have suffered with this problem for as long as I can remember. First noticed after giving a presentation in school and everyone commented on how red i was. It starts on my chest, works its way up my neck and then sides of my cheeks until it can cover my whole face. Not a pretty sight. I am a nurse and it can really affect me. I have tried not to let it get to me but it can be very upsetting because once i feel it start to happen it does feel like i am burning from the inside. It can even start when i am just watching tv.
It is good to know that some people have had success stories. I think i may try the claritin d. Has it made anyone drowsy though?

[vanessa8321]

CURE!!!

This is a response to rbevis' Dec 1/11 post about PSEUDOEPHEDRINE - it works!

I'm a 28 yo female, suffering from this since I hit puberty. I had my company's holiday party to attend and was seriously concerned about bright red splotches all over my neck and chest. So I purchased some Claritin Extra-Strength Non-Drowsy (I live in Canada, Claritin D 24h wasn't available). The Claritin D 24h contains 240mg, and the extra-strength contains 120mg. The 120mg seems to work just fine for me. This is my 4th day, taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

The results are amazing!! Normally after a drink, in social settings, meeting new people, any strong emotion, I'm embarrassingly red, everyone stares/comments. I have not had a splotch of redness in 4 days. This is an EXCELLENT over-the-counter alternative.

THANK YOU RBEVIS!!

[mickey24]

hi, unlike a lot of people here i dont get these rash when im under the sun or meeting new people. mine occurs after i drink alcohol, it takes about 8hours to manifest and then it may itch just a little it usually takes about three days to clear n leaves some kind of blackheads. i have it on my back and chest. atimes when i have one to many drinks it occurs faintly on my palm and wrist and that one happens to be really itchy.

is there anyome here that experiences same kind of reaction to alcohol and advice on how to manage this.
its really embarrassing and annoyin

[rossty]

POTENTIAL FIX**************

Hi,  I have the same symptoms as read above and read on other boards.  Red splotches on neck/chest primarily when in high tension settings such as talking to bosses, giving speeches, etc.  Also occurs when around new people and occurs more frequently with alcohol.

I have found that taking Claritin D 24h solves this problem for me.  After further investigation and personal trials it has worked almost everytime.  I believe the answer is in the psuedoephedrine, not the antihistamine.  Psuedoephedrine restricts blood vessels and restricts flow to the rash area.

I actually went into a meeting one day after being sure this was working out for me and got the rash again...I thought I had taken the medication that morning...however, I had forgotten to.  Proof that it isn't a placebo effect on me.

Another medication that has similar effects is Preperation H believe it or not.  Prep H restricts flow to blood vessels.  I may test this as a topical solution soon.

Post back with comments and results.

I am male unlike a large portion of the females I've read about this occuring to.

I noticed the problem start after I stopped smoking 2 yrs ago.  This further validates my conclusion.  Smoking restricts blood vessels so maybe the nicotein was providing this same effect for me before.