Seeking Solutions for Persistent Rash
I am a 20-year-old woman, standing at 167 cm and weighing 43 kg, and I've been struggling with a widespread rash that has persisted for a month. I consulted a physician due to its stubbornness, and they prescribed potent antihistamines, which I have been taking for two weeks without any noticeable improvement. Despite my efforts to eliminate possible allergens from my diet, the rash continues to linger. Currently, my skin displays small, round, red patches, but I've also noticed the development of dark purple and red spots resembling blood blisters. The affected areas primarily include my arms, legs, back, and lower abdomen. I would greatly appreciate any advice on how to alleviate this condition. Thank you.
Answers (1)

7/25/2025, 10:40:43 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're facing a challenging situation with your persistent rash, and it's understandable to seek solutions given the duration and changes in your skin appearance. Here’s a breakdown of potential factors and steps to consider:
Main Points:
- You have a widespread rash that has lasted for a month, despite treatment with antihistamines.
- Notable changes include dark purple and red spots, which may need further evaluation.
- Lifestyle adjustments and symptom monitoring are essential for managing your condition.
Explanation:
The presence of a rash that lasts more than a few weeks, especially when it is changing in appearance, can indicate several underlying issues, including allergic reactions, autoimmune conditions, or other dermatological concerns. The development of dark purple and red spots may suggest a more serious issue, thus requiring careful attention.
Since antihistamines have not improved your condition, it may mean your rash is not entirely allergy-related, or there might be other triggers involved. Keeping track of any new products (like soaps, detergents, or skincare) you might be using, and any stress or environmental factors, can help identify the root cause.
Next Steps:
-
Symptom Journal: Start documenting the details of your rash daily, including the size, color changes, new spots, and any associated symptoms (itching, pain, etc.). This information can be vital for healthcare discussions.
-
Skin Care Routine: Use gentle, fragrance-free skin products (soaps, lotions) to avoid further irritation. Moisturizers with ingredients like ceramides may help restore your skin barrier.
-
Environmental Factors: Reassess your environment for irritants (new fabrics, cleaning agents, or heated environments). Consider wearing loose, breathable clothing to minimize irritation.
-
Dietary Consideration: Although you've tried eliminating allergens, keep in mind that certain foods can also cause skin reactions or exacerbate existing conditions. If you have access to a dietitian, they can guide you on possible dietary links.
-
Monitor for Changes: Be vigilant for any worsening symptoms, especially if you develop fever, significant pain, or if the spots change texture (e.g., become increasingly raised or open up).
-
Follow-Up: If your symptoms continue to worsen or don't improve over the next week, consider following up with your healthcare provider. Explain the lack of improvement and the new symptoms, as they may want to reassess your treatment plan or run additional tests.
Remember, you're taking a proactive approach to your health, which is a great first step. Feel free to reach out if you have further questions or need more specific guidance!
Related Questions
Unexplained Bruising After Walking
Age 29, female, weighing 150 pounds, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall, non-smoker, drinks socially perhaps twice a year, currently taking only d-mannose and cranberry supplements, along with occasional digestive enzymes with meals. Recently, I have been noticing unexpected bruises on my legs. The largest one measured about 3.5 inches, while the others have been smaller, appearing in shades ranging from blue to purple or green, often in solid colors. I typically have no more than four visible bruises at one time. During the two weeks I was stuck at home and unable to walk due to having company, these bruises healed up completely. However, just last week, after going for three walks, bruising has returned. There is absolutely no chance these marks are from any sort of injury. I don’t keep my phone on me while walking, nor can I track my steps precisely, but my usual route covers at least a mile. It seems odd that while I was sedentary all day long, I had no bruises, but now that I've started walking again, I’m experiencing them once more. I’m curious if this is a known issue and whether it’s something I should investigate further. I've reached out on this platform previously, and I don’t have a primary care physician, which makes me reluctant to pay for an appointment just to discuss this bruising. Therefore, I’m seeking insights from here to determine if this might point to a specific condition or if I’m just uniquely prone to this issue. My mother also has a significant bruise on her foot from merely bursting a blood vessel during a foot massage, so maybe it’s a genetic predisposition where our blood vessels are unusually delicate. Who can say? Thank you for your input!
Understanding Allergy Panel Testing
Seeking Advice: Food Allergy Evaluations and Digestive Issues I am reaching out on behalf of a colleague (we are both medical professionals) who is experiencing digestive problems such as food intolerances and fatigue. My friend is a 28-year-old male, standing 5'10" and weighing 65 kilograms, of South Indian descent. He has been struggling with gastrointestinal difficulties since the start of this year. Notably, he has no ongoing health conditions and is not taking any medications apart from dietary supplements. Furthermore, there is no family history of digestive ailments. Given these complications, we are now considering the possibility of food allergies or sensitivities as underlying factors and are contemplating undergoing a comprehensive IgE and IgG test panel. I would like to gather insights on the following: - Which specific allergy tests are genuinely beneficial for identifying issues? - Is it advisable to combine IgE and IgG testing, or would that be excessive? - If anyone has experience with labs such as Radcliffe, DNA Labs, MyDiagnostics, Max Labs, or Vijaya Diagnostics, could you share which ones are the most dependable, particularly if you're based in India? - Have you come across any false positive results with IgG testing? - I am hoping to connect with any immunologists or individuals familiar with these matters to provide clarity on my query. Any recommendations or shared experiences would be highly valued. I appreciate any expert advice from those who have faced similar situations.
Understanding Trichomoniasis
Female | Age: 27 | Weight: 125 lbs | Generally in good health I engage in sexual activity with one partner. Recently, I began to experience some discomfort in my vaginal area and, after seeking medical assistance, was diagnosed with Trichomoniasis, for which I was given a prescription. (For context, I have never faced any urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, or related issues, so this has been incredibly distressing for me.) Upon informing my partner about the diagnosis, he expressed disbelief, insisting he has never had Trichomoniasis because his test results came back "negative." Is it even plausible for this to happen? How could I have contracted the infection if not from him? What could be the source of this condition?
Could My Symptoms Be Due to a Hamster Allergy?
At 21 years old, I've been experiencing some troubling health issues over the past three weeks. These include shortness of breath, persistent coughing, difficulties with sleep, and a few other vague symptoms. My doctor suspects that I might have a chest infection since I exhibit signs of "crackling lungs." However, despite two courses of antibiotics, I haven’t noticed any improvement in my condition. Upon reflection, I realized that my symptoms began around the same time I started looking after my sister’s hamster. Working from home means that the little creature's habitat is located only about 10 cm away from my workstation. Now, I can’t help but wonder if the hamster or its bedding might be contributing to my ailments. Although I feel somewhat hesitant to raise this topic with my doctor, as it might seem trivial, the timing of my symptoms is quite coincidental. Is it possible that I could be allergic to the hamster or its hay?
What Does a Bone Scan Result Indicate About Cancer?
Late Friday night, I received a concerning report that has left me feeling anxious, especially since I couldn't reach anyone for clarification. As a nearly 40-year-old woman standing 5'4" and weighing 145 pounds, I lead an active lifestyle. I've been using Wegovy for the past month and had a bone scan due to persistent joint pain. My medical history includes controlled psoriasis, which raised my concerns about the possibility of psoriatic arthritis. The joint discomfort primarily affects my hands, wrists, and feet, prompting my rheumatologist to recommend the bone scan. This is my first experience with such a test, and the results are perplexing: they mention "Impression: progression of metastatic pattern." How can there be a pattern if this is the very first assessment? Additionally, in the past year, I have undergone numerous pre-operative blood tests related to cosmetic procedures, and each time, the results were normal. The report concludes with: FINDINGS: Bones: Calvarial activity appears stable. There is worsening involvement in the spine and ribs along with a newly detected sacral lesion. Joints: No signs of arthritis present. Soft tissues: Normal physiological distribution. This has left me bewildered and frightened. It seems contradictory for the report to note "worsening" and a "new lesion" when I have never had a previous scan. I am at a loss about what this could mean for my health!