scabies or dermatitis?

[scared323]

my body has been breaking into rashes for quite a while now (more than 8 months). they are a cluster of red bumps and extremely itchy. i got them on stomach, sides of the breasts and folds of the waist and now on my neck, but they happen in turns. never at two places at the same time. is it scabies or dermatitis? i also have hypothyroidism and am on 100mg of eltroxin but i have been taking this for 6 years now but the rash only started a year ago. please help!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Such type of itchy rash or bumps which appears suddenly and then disappears can be due to hives.
The standard treatment of hives is oral antihistaminics and topical steroids. Oral antihistaminics relieve itching and you can get them over the counter but some of them may cause drowsiness and hence it should be taken under a medical guidance. Topical steroids is available by prescription from a dermatologist.
In addition you can apply calamine lotion which will help in soothing the skin.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[embie1989]

That's what I feel too almost a month now. The itch happens to me anywhere a go but it just comes and goes. It turns red and have bumps for a while but eventually disappear. Mostly in my legs and arms. My husband didn't itch a bit just me. Please help me. It's driving me crazy

[scared323]

That's the thing! I lived with my ex
almost a year and he didn't get it. And I stayed with my family for 2months and they don't show symptoms as well

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be scabies if your family members are also showing similar symptoms because it is a highly contagious disease. It is characterized by intense itching, usually at night and by small insect-type bites lesions on the skin. Diagnosis of scabies is made by scraping the skin and viewing the material under a microscope to see the characteristic mite or eggs.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.