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allergy rash.. help!

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Posted 2/25/2009 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Recently, about two/three days ago, I noticed that I was starting to develop a rash on my legs. They're little bullseyes or targets, with a red bump in the middle surronded by white in a perfect circle. They're extremely itchy, and started to progressively spread from the top of my thighs, shins, calves, and now my arms. I had this exact same rash before (same symptoms, same progression) and I was told by my primary physcian that it was a food allergy. I was given prednisone and it cleared up fairly quickly.

Since I go to college 4 1/2 hours away from home, I visited the health center. The RN's there didn't think it was a food allergy, in fact, they didn't know what it was. They first assumed that it was a drug allergy, but since I hadn't started anything new recently (I finished my antibiotics for bronchitis about two weeks ago) they ruled that out. I explained to them that I had this exact same rash before, and they gave me prednisone, claritin, benadryl, and pepcid.

It's the second day of taking my medication, and although the bumps seem SLIGHTLY smaller, it seems to be spreading and it still feels pretty itchy. I'm concerned whether or not the steroids are actually working, or whether I should make another appt. I want to kick this before it gets too worse, as it did before. I guess i'm confused, as I remember the steroids working faster before, and as I took them, the rash to heal, not get worse.

Should I be concerned/make a another appt? In fact, does anyone know what this could be?

ANY help or information in this matter would be greatly appreciated :-)

Posted 2/25/2009 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
I'd suggest seeing an Allergist.

Also, have you been bitten by a tick recently? If so, you should be tested for Lyme Disease (make sure they do both the ELISA/IFA and the WesternBlot) and get treated ASAP.
Posted 2/25/2009 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
If the rash continues to spread and is still itching in the morning, I think a return to the clinic might be warranted. Also, if you notice any difficulty breathing, itchiness in the throat, or swelling around your eyes, get yourself to the ER right away.

As to the cause, impossible for me to guess. I think since this is your second event, your doctor might want to get some allergy testing.
Posted 2/26/2009 12:00 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks for the advice... I'm trying to schedule an appt with an allergist.

In the meantime however, i'm curious as to why this rash keeps spreading when i'm taking the steroids.

Posted 2/26/2009 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
The dose of steroids may not be high enough to stop the rash from spreading. Also, if this is Lyme or another infection and not allergy, then steroids won't likely help the rash.
Posted 2/26/2009 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
I'm prone to believe it's not lyme disease, as I don't have the symptoms, and the "bullseyes" are tiny and spread. My first day I was told to take 4 x 10 mg of steroids, and then another similar dosage the next day.

In addition to that, i'm also taking benadryl, pepcid, and clairitin.

I'm absolutely certain that this was the same rash I had before, and I feel like i'm taking a higher dosage of steroids than before.

I guess i'm curious as to 1. why i'm not seeing results of the steroids and 2. if anyone has ever heard of anything like this before.
Posted 2/26/2009 5:49 AM (GMT 0)
It may not be Lyme, but could be some other infection. And even if it is allergic or inflammatory, 40mg Pred for a couple days isn't that high of a dose...the first time I was on steroids, they had me at 60mg/day for 2 weeks before starting to taper me off the med. Sometimes autoimmune disorders start out with skin rashes, too, so might be good to ask your doctor about checking for those (Vasculitis, Lupus, etc.).
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