yesterday i developed some kind of weird rash type thing on my chest. i called this morning and my derm can't see me for like 2 weeks.
i am not exactly sure what it is, but i have these red angry-looking bumps that are about the size of pimples (there are 5, close together). i'm not sure if it's acne though, because they are super itchy and popped up while i was wearing this ultra-itchy and hot wool vintage sweater yesterday. ugh. i used to get something called "prickly heat" a lot when i was a kid, which is similar but the bumps are bigger, more like hives.
so i was afraid to put any acne cream on them last night in case that would make it even more irritated--i used hydrocortisone, which stopped the itching but it's still red. this morning i used a bit of that origins salicylic acid stuff, which seems to have had no effect.
does anyone have any other ideas of what i could do to get rid of this? it's so gross.
You should keep applying the hydrocortizone cream and see if that helps. I use that for when I get allergic reactions to a product (specifically, deodorant). My skin is so sensitive and I can only use one kind of deodorant. I recently bought the wrong kind by accident and had a horrible reaction, but the hydrocortizone cream cleared it right up. It did take a week or two though, before it cleared up completely. I used it twice a day.
quote: Originally posted by: bumblebee "thanks, nylabelle--that's what i used last night and it didn't seem to do anything, but maybe i need to give it more time. "
bumblebee, I edited my previous post b/c I missed the hydrocortizone cream part in your first post.
do the hydrocortizone creme and start taking some benadryl and it should help. I would wash that sweater in a mild or sensitive skin detergent before you wear it again. You might want wash your bed sheets too just as a precaution.
i just ran out to the drugstore for benadryl and this is probably a stupid question, but does non-drowsy benadryl exist? i couldn't find any on the shelves--all the varieties said "may cause marked drowsiness," which i can't have happening to me at work today so i'll have to wait until i get home tonight to take it.
quote: Originally posted by: bumblebee "i just ran out to the drugstore for benadryl and this is probably a stupid question, but does non-drowsy benadryl exist? i couldn't find any on the shelves--all the varieties said "may cause marked drowsiness," which i can't have happening to me at work today so i'll have to wait until i get home tonight to take it. "
anything that has diphenhydramine in it (the active ingredient in benadryl) is likely to cause sedation, unfortunately a side effect of antihistamines. But it is highly effective for relieving itching and rash. If you want to try an non-drowsy antihistamine try claritin (or the store brand), but I find it's not as effective (for rash and itching), but worth a try if topical HC isn't working, and you need to be alert at work, etc.
Rashes take a couple days to a week to dissapear. I'm not sure what you have, but if the HC was working, I would continue to use a thinly applied small amount on the area. If you have a primary care physician, they maybe able to see you sooner than your derm. I hope you feel better.
i have been using the hydrocortisone and it seems to be helping a little. i think it's just going to take a little time. i also tried this white clay mask stuff i have last night and left it on overnight. that seemed to help the redness a little.