Continued Itching and Rash Following Steroid Treatment
M23. During a trip with my girlfriend to the beach, I experienced mild itching the morning after our arrival. I initially thought it was due to mosquito bites since we stayed in a house by an inlet where these pests were abundant. Additionally, we enjoyed using the hot tub, and I made sure to shower each time after soaking. However, the following day, I found my legs notably itchy, red, and hot to the touch, accompanied by a rash that began to spread to my arms and hands. We decided to cut our trip short that day, and I took six 25mg Benadryl tablets throughout the day, assuming it was some type of allergic reaction. The next day, I sought care at an urgent clinic. The attending physician observed that the rash had started to spread further across my upper arms and thighs, but he couldn’t determine its cause. He provided me with a steroid injection and a prescription for triamcinolone acetonide cream. Fast forward two days (today) and the itching persists, now notably affecting my back, which is a new area of concern. My arms and legs continue to itch, as well. While the steroid treatment appears to have alleviated some redness and heat, the itchiness remains. Although the rash is less pronounced, the urge to scratch stems from a peculiar “pins and needles” sensation. I’m not sure if this is related, but I’ve noticed my knees become somewhat “sore” when I squat at work—the itching initially began around that area. This doesn’t feel like a typical muscle soreness; it’s more localized to my knees. This certainly isn’t normal. Interestingly, my girlfriend has had no such issues.
Answers (1)
3/30/2025, 2:20:34 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing a challenging situation with persistent itching and a rash following what may have been an allergic reaction. Additionally, you're noting some knee discomfort that feels different from regular muscle soreness. Here's how you can approach this:
Key Points:
- You might be experiencing an allergic reaction that hasn’t fully resolved.
- The "pins and needles" sensation can be a separate issue that needs attention.
- The knee soreness may also indicate something else going on in your body.
Explanation:
Your symptoms suggest a possible allergy or skin irritation that was exacerbated during your beach trip, potentially due to insect bites or irritants from the hot tub. The steroid treatment may help with inflammation and rash, but continued itching indicates that your skin is still reacting—this can sometimes occur even after the rash itself improves. The new area of concern on your back and the "pins and needles" sensation could signify nerve involvement or additional skin sensitivity.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your rash and itching. Write down when it gets worse or improves, and note any new areas of itching or changes.
-
Skin Care: Use the triamcinolone cream as prescribed and apply it to all affected areas, including the new itchy spots. Avoid hot baths or showers to reduce irritation. Instead, opt for cool showers, which can help soothe your skin.
-
Oral Antihistamines: Continue taking over-the-counter antihistamines (like Benadryl) if it helps relieve itching. However, be cautious with the dosage; follow recommended guidelines or consult your pharmacist if needed.
-
Moisturization: Keep your skin well-moisturized with fragrance-free lotions to prevent dryness that can worsen itching. Look for products labeled as hypoallergenic.
-
Knee Soreness: For your knee pain, consider gentle stretching or low-impact exercises. Ice your knees if they feel sore after activity.
-
Avoid Scratching: Try to avoid scratching the itchy areas, as this can lead to further irritation or infection. Soft cotton clothing can help minimize irritation.
-
Follow-Up: If the symptoms do not improve over the next few days, or if you notice any new symptoms (like swelling, increased redness, or severe pain), consider returning to healthcare for further evaluation, as it might require additional treatment or investigation.
Remember, it’s important to give your body time to heal while closely observing any changes in your condition. If you have any questions or concerns about your symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out again. You're not alone in this, and it's okay to seek continued support.
Related Questions
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.
28-Year-Old Male Experiencing Scalp Sensations Post-Amitriptyline Treatment
I am a 28-year-old man in generally good health, without any cardiac concerns. Approximately a month ago, I encountered intense pain localized to one side of my head, which was unresponsive to paracetamol. However, a single dose of a migraine treatment provided substantial relief. Following that, I began a regimen of amitriptyline, starting at a nightly dose of 10 to 25 mg. While my head pain has diminished significantly—by about 90 to 95%—I now experience occasional uncomfortable sensations on my scalp. These feelings include pins and needles, a cooling sensation, and some crawling feelings near my hairline and ears. There are fleeting moments where I feel brief throbs lasting a second, but I do not have any persistent headaches. To clarify, I do not experience any of the following: - Nausea - Weakness in my limbs - Numbness - Changes in my vision - Coordination difficulties - Seizures The symptoms I have are transient, shifting around and often intensifying when I become conscious of them or as the day progresses. I would like to know: Is it common to experience these sensations during the recovery stage following episodes of neuralgia or migraine-like discomfort? Additionally, could the amitriptyline potentially be causing these temporary paresthetic sensations? I am seeking some reassurance or advice on what is typically observed during this healing process. Thank you.