weird rash spreading!!!

[autummatic]

Hello, my husband of 8 years now, age 36 has this area on his body that started as a small welt-like spot on his chest by his shoulder. Then he started to get another on the other side of his chest and a few on his legs. They started out as small pimple-like spots then grew into welts any where from the size of a pencil eraser to the size of a dime. thy are pretty uniform in shape (circular). then about 2 days later he got a rash all over from his neck, back, arms and legs. he says they don't really itch but the rash itself kinda burns. it looks somewhat like a heat rash but more red and swollen. the large welts have not gotten any better and the rash is helped with OTC benadryl but stays and gets worse when no benadryl is taken. we went to the urgent care center because about a year ago he had a severe staph infection and was treated pretty easily with an antibiotic injection (rocephin??).  at this visit they said it was folliculitis and tinea something (ringworm). the dr. gave a rx of doxycycline twice daily for a week and told us to pick up some cream for athletes foot. we have been regularly applying this to the "welts" or "spots" and taking the antibiotics for about 5 days now and no differnce in anything!!! he doesn't have insurance right now due to being layed off 4 months ago and just started a new job a day after the"rash" showed up. dont know what to do!!! any help is greatly appreciated!!! i have attached a couple photos for you. They aren't the greatest or clearest pictures. if you notice there is the rash around the "welts"

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Without examination,confirmation of a diagnosis is tough but it can be discoid eczema ,pityriasis rosea, or ringworm.
Pityriasis rosea is a common human skin disease which presents as numerous patches of pink or red oval rash. The rash may be accompanied by low-grade headache, fever, nausea and fatigue and sometimes by itching.

No treatment is usually required. In most patients, the condition lasts only a matter of weeks or months(upto six months)

If the rash persists then it will be best to get it evaluated from a dermatologist.Other possibilities have to be ruled out then.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Warm regards.

[jagesh50]

The bigger rash looks like the herald patch of pityriasis rosea,it will settle in a few days.Apply calamine,and do continue the antibiotic to complete the course.