Help with small spots gradually appearing all over front of torso

[alittleitchy]

Hello! 29 year old female looking for help with identifying the cause of some spots that have been appearing on my skin over the last 3 weeks. They started off on the front of my torso and have now spread to the sides, armpits and groin area. I haven't had any on my back, strangely enough.

The spots start off raised and itchy like an insect bite but will usually calm down and become flat with a tiny scab where I've scratched and broken the skin. They're itchy at first but only very mildly so. Sometimes they will flare up and become a little itchy again, usually at night. I take antihistamines for my allergies which help with the itch. I get hives pretty easily from a dust/dustmite allergy but those are your typical urticaria hives and these spots are completely different.

I was travelling for work and leisure recently before this and I did have a cold right before they started. I doubt they are from bed bugs as I broke out with a bunch of spots one afternoon while sitting in a theatre, and I have been constantly checking my sheets and bedroom but haven't found any signs. I also set up a flea trap to see if they were fleas but caught nothing.

I visited my GP but he ruled out scabies after one quick look and advised they were insect bites and that he couldn't help any further. He wrote a script for a steroid ointment and then shoo'd me out of his office, probably in fear that I'd spread bed bugs or fleas. I'm quite annoyed by how dismissive he was - should I see another doctor and push for a referral to a dermatologist?

Here are some images:
https://imgur.com/a/Gg1xD

[alittleitchy]

Hey guys, just wanted to post an update in case it may help someone else. I found out my itchy bumps were due to an allergic reaction to a new laundry detergent - funnily enough, one marketed for sensitive skin! They didn't appear as traditional hives so I didn't register it as an allergic reaction. As soon as I washed my sheets and clothes with my previous laundry detergent, the bumps started going away. My suspicions were 100% confirmed when I put on a pair of pants that I hadn't rewashed yet and broke out with new itchy bumps through out the day.
Good luck!

[Nicolette1920]

Hi! I have news!! So to answer the question no scarring but I do have bruising due to the constant scratching. After several doctors visits with them having no clue and stating they can only treat the sumptoms..
Carpet Beetles. My sisters apartment has carpet beetles which cause an allergic reaction that looks just likes bed bug bites and can be extreamly itchy! There's tons of info online and aparently they are common in spring.. there little hairs cause an awful allergic reaction. Fortunately her apartment building is going to pay to clear the little buggars out and I haven't had any new spots since avoiding her place. If you have checked for bed bugs and not found anything it might be carpet beetles. Good luck!!!

[alittleitchy]

Nicolette, I'm so glad you found out what was causing your bumps! Bruising from scratching sounds really intense, I hope you're on the road to recovery.

[JCJC24]

Hi, don't know if you've seen my post about mystery spots that I've had for a year? Might be similar to yours. Do yours leave deep holes in skin and when they eventually heal do you get bad scarring? I've bemused lots of GPS and Dermatologists with this but my latest one thinks it's Lymphomatiod papulosis so I'm going to have a biopsy to confirm. Might be worth asking a specialist to test your skin? Good luck xx

[Nicolette1920]

I have been dealing with what sounds like the same thing on my trunk thighs underarms but nothing on my back neck or face, as I would expect with bedbugs. Dr ruled out ringworm and advised not scabies, also prescribed the cream and said she's "clueless". It seems to be getting worse and I'm desperate to find out what it is for fear I may be spreading it to my household. :( the itch I quite awful for me though..

[alittleitchy]

Our symptoms sound so similar! In fact my spots are gradually spreading down onto my thighs - it's so bizarre. I might try another doctor and insist on a referral to a dermatology if they also draw a blank. I live by myself and my partner is long distance so I have not yet figured out if it's contagious or not. I might also try changing washing detergents in case it's an allergy.

[dazzabaldy]

I have had spots on my legs bum and around parts of my body they itch and sting and when one burst some clear liquid come out but I was told by my doc that it bacteria of the hair follocules that causes it so I don't know if it's similar to you in symptoms

[alittleitchy]

Thanks for the suggestion. My spots can't be popped though and don't appear to be pimples but I'll do some research!