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Mysterious Skin problem

For the past 2 months every once and a while one or two small areas will get a single hive. For example just last night my upper left foot began to itch and then the hive appeared. After about 2 hours it was completely gone. Another time two hives appeared on my left arm the same way. After 2 hours completely gone. These are just two examples but the areas are very random They seem to be happening about once per week now, where before it started more gradually. Last weekend I was on my bed watching TV and I looked down at my right leg on the shin and noticed a bright red circular sore. There was a lot of dry skin there which I scraped off. I thought it was ring worm so I have been treating it with antifungal cream for about 7 days. As of today the sore has not healed. There is no puss coming out but it just looks like a slightly red circle now and less red than before. If you could give me some advice I would appreciate it. right now I don't have any hives so I cant take a photo of it but I do still have the circular sore or rash on the shin of my leg. I will attach that photo. it has been 7 days and this sore is still there. No pain or itching, just a little dry skin which stays under control from the antifungal cream. I posted this in the forum community which allowed me to add the photo but this form does not have a place to add a photo. Please look at my profiles latest post in the forum or provide me with an email to send the photo. Thanks so much!
8 Responses
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Avatar universal
I am not happy with this service. I said In my original question it did not hurt or itch and you went ahead and commented on my round itchy sore. Please transfer my question to Bhupinder Kaur, MD
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Avatar universal
I am 43 so some of these suggestions of yours I read about and usually affect females and people over 50. I am male and 43
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Avatar universal
Will it heal on its own do you think?
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351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
If the lesion does not itch or causes pain, it could be a herald patch of pityriasis rosea. A red non painful patch can be a bruise. Deficiency of Vitamin B12, folic acid, or Vit K could be the cause. They could also be fragile spider veins. It can be due to deep vein thrombosis (however usually there is pain on pressing). It can be a hemangioma, heat rash or allergy. However, since you had lot of dry skin over it which you peeled off—it is more likely to be eczema, dermatitis (allergic or non-allergic) or psoriasis.
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Avatar universal
Not itchy as well
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Avatar universal
I absolutely have no pain in my leg as well so what would you suggest as a possible treatment before seeing the doctor?
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Avatar universal
It is difficult for me to think about what I had eaten for the last 48 hours in relation to this sore because it has been on my leg for 7 days now without healing. Like I said last weekend which is seven days ago. Anyways so you think this is an allergic reaction? Just to be clear. I live in Thailand so I would like to try one thing before going into the doctor. BTW it does not itch. It is just red and dry. Sometimes fading and sometimes a little red.
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351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!

I can understand your worries regarding this sore area which is not healing. I looked at the picture you uploaded on the community forum and on looking closely there are smaller lesions around the big one. Also, you appear to be having faint small lesions on the skin around hair follicles or they may be a normal finding in your case.

Since the round itchy sore patch is present on the leg, it could be an insect bite. Scratching could have increased the soreness and extent of spread of inflammation beyond the sting. Another possibility is a contact dermatitis. This is an allergic reaction due to something that came in contact with your skin such as a plant, a chemical or some thing else. So, go over your routine for last 48 hours and see if you can identify a source of allergy or remember an insect biting you. This can be treated with anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory pills and ointments. Also, since you have been having hives for last few days, you may be having allergy to some food item or something you came in touch with and this sore itchy area may just be a larger patch of hive. It may help to make a list of things you are eating and hives as they are appearing to find out if there is a link.

Other than this it can be nummular eczema or psoriasis. Such sore red patches can also be due to blood clots/deep vein thrombosis. Hence, this aspect should be considered if you have pain and cramps in calf when you walk or run.

Birth control pills (in females) and blood thinners too can cause a sore bruise. However, usually they are more than one. Similarly multiple painful red patches can be due to thyroid medications, lupus, discoid eczema etc. Rarely, a persisting red sore patch can be due to skin cancer.

It could be a fungal infection if anti-fungal ointments are helping, but looks less like a fungal skin infection. It could be Herald patch (less likely based on the image), which is a solitary, oval, red colored patch which appears on the chest or abdomen (may be they came earlier or they may not have come and lesion first started on leg).  After 1-2 weeks of this solitary patch, large patches of pink or red, flaky, oval-shaped rash appear on the torso. The rash may be accompanied by low-grade headache, fever, nausea and fatigue and itching. Treatment is by topical and oral steroids. Water, sweat, and soap may cause irritation and should be avoided. Topical zinc oxide and calamine lotion are useful for pruritus if it occurs.

To me it looks more like an allergic dermatitis, however, please discuss with your doctor for a confirmed diagnosis and management. Hope you get well soon! Good Luck and take care!

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