Persistent Skin Rash and Mild Itching: Seeking Advice
I’ve been dealing with a skin rash for about 24 weeks; while it’s mostly just a mild itch at times, it seems to be gradually spreading. Initially, the rash appeared only on my breasts, but it has now extended to my back, arms, and across my torso. Although it’s not particularly uncomfortable, the cosmetic aspect is becoming more concerning. When I consulted a physician, the rash was still localized to my breasts. He suggested it resembled the early stages of pityriasis rosea, though he couldn’t provide any definitive answers. He advised me to monitor the situation. Would it be wise to schedule another appointment?
Answers (1)
7/10/2025, 11:10:32 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing a persistent skin rash that has been gradually spreading over the past six months. This can understandably be concerning, especially since you mentioned it's affecting your appearance and you're experiencing mild itching. Your physician suggested it might be pityriasis rosea, a condition that typically resolves on its own, but considering its persistence and spread, there are a few key points to address.
Explanation
Pityriasis rosea often starts as a single "herald" patch before spreading in a pattern across the body. Although it generally clears up within several weeks to months, the variations in individual cases can lead to concerns for similar conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis.
Since your rash has continued for 24 weeks and is spreading beyond the initial area, it's a good idea to take proactive steps to manage the situation.
Next Steps
-
Document Changes: Start a symptom diary to track any changes in your rash, including its appearance, location, and any triggers or relief measures. Taking photos can help illustrate progression over time.
-
Re-evaluate with a Healthcare Provider: Given the duration and spreading nature of the rash, scheduling another appointment with a dermatologist or your primary care provider is advisable. This can help rule out other conditions and determine if specific treatments are needed.
-
Manage Itching: In the meantime, consider over-the-counter anti-itch treatments like hydrocortisone cream or antihistamines. Moisturizing the affected areas can also help soothe the skin.
-
Avoid Irritants: Identify and avoid potential irritants, such as certain soaps, detergents, or fabrics that might exacerbate the rash.
By taking these steps, you can ensure close monitoring of your condition and seek appropriate intervention if necessary. Let me know if you need additional information or support!
Related Questions
Hypocomplementemia with Negative ANA Results?
Greetings to all! I’m a 26-year-old graduate student based in the USA, grappling with an escalation of chronic pain that has persisted since my early teenage years. Recently, I consulted a new rheumatologist who ran several tests because of my family’s autoimmune history—my mother has psoriatic arthritis, and my sister struggles with ankylosing spondylitis. During my last evaluation in 2022, my tests showed negative outcomes except for low levels of C3 (79 mg/dL) and C4 (15 mg/dL). My recent assessments mirrored these results: negativity for anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm, and ANA, alongside a normal CRP count, yet again with low C3 (now 85) and C4 (17). No additional tests were conducted, although x-rays of my pelvis and hands appeared normal. To provide more context, here are some ongoing symptoms I’ve experienced intermittently: - Hair shedding - Regular pink rashes on my cheeks, often accompanied by headaches behind my eyes (accompanied by mild fever) and a sore throat—sometimes the rash also appears on my nose - Dry skin, dry eyes, and dry mouth, occasionally resulting in mouth ulcers - Itchy, red, and swollen hands that feel warm, frequently disrupting my sleep—sometimes this inflammation extends to my feet and seems triggered by stress, heat, consumption of alcoholic beverages like champagne or wine (whereas others have no reaction), sun exposure, and fluorescent lights—I avoid using overhead lights at work as they are particularly bothersome. - Severe fatigue and mental fog—my level of disorientation warranted a drug test during a sleep study, despite never having consumed non-prescription substances - Muscle soreness and joint stiffness, particularly after prolonged walking or upon waking - Difficulty with writing and gripping objects; I have previously participated in occupational therapy and now utilize pencil grips similar to those intended for young learners! My once hypermobile hands are now prone to locking up. These symptoms intensify periodically, erratically worsening every few months for about a week, making it extremely difficult to rise each day and attend work. I am eager to discern whether my concerns have a psychological basis or if my physical ailments can be accounted for by existing conditions. I find it challenging to locate a healthcare professional willing to help me assemble the entire picture, especially since I have various other diagnoses that are relatively well-controlled. Currently, my diagnoses include: - Raynaud’s phenomenon - Moderate dry eyes - Chronic migraine without aura, intractable - Gastroparesis with slow intestinal motility (post-GPOEM surgery, which was quite effective!) - Mild intermittent asthma - Oral allergy syndrome - Severe seasonal allergies - Increased mast cells identified in intestinal biopsy - Neuropathic pain - Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome diagnosed in 2021 - Childhood eczema - Recurrent sinus and ear infections (though it’s been a while since I last experienced any illness) - Frequent urinary tract infections, often presenting blood clots or protein in the urine My medications are as follows: - Gabapentin, 1200mg each day - Meloxicam - Montelukast - Zyrtec (4 tablets daily) - Omeprazole - Famotidine - Hydroxyzine - Aspirin drops - Dulera inhaler - Monthly Emgality injection - Botox for migraines Thank you for any insights or guidance you can provide—I truly value your expertise! As a pharmacology PhD student entering my final year, the stress is amplifying my situation, and I hope to uncover some answers before graduating and embarking on my career.
Red, Peeling Skin on Penis: Seeking Insights
I'm a 23-year-old male, weighing 200 pounds and standing at 6 feet tall, circumcised. I’ll keep this concise. About a month ago, I noticed something unusual about my penis when I woke up one morning. The skin on the right side beneath the head appeared red and inflamed. The only recent changes I can recall were having a sexual encounter with a new partner once and using an unfamiliar soap, which left my skin feeling extremely dry, prompting me to stop using it immediately. In an attempt to soothe the irritation, I applied coconut oil and Vaseline, but they did not help. After a few weeks of no improvement, I decided to visit a doctor at Planned Parenthood for a professional evaluation, as I currently lack health insurance due to my job's policy of delaying benefits for new employees for six months. At my appointment, the doctor conducted tests for several sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia and gonorrhea, along with an HIV test, all of which returned negative results. Despite the inflammation not affecting the head of my penis—because I am circumcised—the doctor diagnosed me with balanitis and recommended a seven-day treatment with miconazole cream. I have applied the cream twice daily for the last eight days, but there has been no noticeable improvement. While I would like to schedule a follow-up appointment, the cost of the initial visit was significant at around $605, although I managed to reduce it to $415 with discounts, which I currently cannot afford. What could this condition be indicative of? I would really appreciate any thoughts or advice as I find myself becoming quite anxious about this situation. **Note**: There is no accompanying pain or itching with this issue.
When Should You Take Persistent Swollen Lymph Nodes Seriously? Reflecting on Five Years of Uncertainty
I am a 28-year-old woman, and five years ago, I began to experience significant health issues following the loss of a loved one. This period of immense stress triggered outbreaks of hives and rashes, which medical professionals attributed to anxiety or possibly an allergic reaction. In conjunction with this, I developed a distinct type of rash on my scalp, later diagnosed as psoriasis. This scalp issue has persistently lingered, primarily affecting the back of my head with recurrent flare-ups. More troubling is that I noticed a noticeable lump on the back left of my neck around the same time. After raising this concern with my physician, it was suggested that it was likely a swollen lymph node resulting from the scalp psoriasis drainage. An ultrasound confirmed the presence of enlarged lymph nodes, and I was reassured that it was merely inflammation, nothing to worry about. However, fast forward to today, that initial "bump" has transformed into a hard, solid mass. Unlike a typical swollen lymph node, it is firm enough to grip. Over the past year, a second lump of a similar size emerged just above the first, also towards the base of my skull on the same side. While these lumps are generally not painful, I have begun to experience increased discomfort. It feels as though they may be pressing against or getting tangled with surrounding muscles. Certain movements of my neck trigger waves of nausea accompanied by peculiar pain that radiates to where these lumps are located. This situation feels unsettling and strange. I've mentioned these growths to my healthcare provider multiple times, but each time, they have responded with a lack of concern. In fact, my dentist seemed to be the most worried about it. The reactions I have received from other medical professionals have often felt dismissive, leaving me discouraged. With the high costs of medical visits, it is disheartening to feel I might be wasting their time. After a while, I ceased pursuing answers, yet the anxiety surrounding it persists. So, I find myself navigating uncertainty and have a few questions: 1. When is it appropriate to go back to a doctor regarding these lumps? 2. How can I effectively communicate my concerns and ensure that they are taken seriously without coming across as overly anxious? 3. Has anyone else dealt with similarly stubborn, hard lymph nodes that have increased in number and size? I would be grateful for any advice, personal experiences, or support. I’m torn between feeling like I might be overreacting and the fear that I could be overlooking something significant.
Understanding the Unusual Spots in My Friend's Ear
While I was examining my friend’s ear using a camera, I noticed a couple of peculiar features in her right ear—a few holes along with a red and white spot. She assured me that she wasn’t experiencing any pain, but this was an unusual find since I hadn’t seen anything like it during our last cleaning session. I’m curious about what could be causing this anomaly.
Questions About Rheumatology Consult
I’m a 31-year-old female, standing at 5'5" and weighing 190 pounds. For over three years, I have been suffering from joint pain and persistent fatigue. My current medications include Synthroid 75 mcg, NP Thyroid 60 mg, Celexa 20 mg, and Wellbutrin 150 mg. I typically consume 2-3 alcoholic drinks per week, and I do not smoke or use illicit drugs. To summarize my situation, despite being on thyroid medication for three years, my joint pain and extreme tiredness remain unresolved. Given my family history, particularly my mother’s rheumatoid arthritis, my primary care physician ran some blood tests in October 2024. The results showed: - ANA 1:640 homogeneous - EBV Ab VCA IgG 21.7 U/mL (normal range: 0-17.9) - EBV nuclear antigen Ab IgG 89.5 U/mL (normal range: 0-17.9) These were the only abnormalities detected in my blood work; my ESR and C-reactive protein levels were within normal limits. I had a follow-up appointment with a rheumatologist today, and she seemed unconcerned about any potential autoimmune issues. She suggested that my joint pain could be attributed to carpal tunnel syndrome, despite the fact that my symptoms affect not just my wrists but also my fingers, ankles, and feet. Additionally, she attributed my fatigue to depression and possible sleep apnea. When I mentioned that I try to exercise when my energy allows—despite the overwhelming fatigue she seemed to dismiss my efforts, rolling her eyes as if she doubted my commitment to staying active. The entire visit lasted less than 30 minutes. Is this a common experience in rheumatology? Should I consider seeking a second opinion, or am I overreacting? I’m feeling quite disheartened by this situation.