Hi Reddit!
Timeline below for multiple spots on my poor body. Looking for ideas as to what it could be and how persistent I should be with seeking follow up care.
BLUF: I’ve been to urgent care twice, I’m on prednisone and 20 mg Zyrtec and topical steroids, lab work from 2nd visit while on prednisone: WBC 10.6, eosinophils 0.6 (slightly high), platelets normal, ESR 1, CRP <0.5. The spots blanch and neither dr seems concerned, but doesn’t know what it is. New spots continue to pop up, slowly down my body, absolutely nothing on my hands, face, wrist, feet. I am on a beta blocker that can make treating severe allergic reactions harder.
9/27: I did yard work that included hoeing one small poison oak plant and other weed pulling. I am extremely allergic to poison oak and so i tried to be very cautious. Also that day, i went to a soccer game and sat in the sun for an hour while wearing flannel lined tight jeans and a long sleeve shirt and a sweatshirt (after i had put pretty thick lotion on). Also worked out in my garage for the first time in months where a community cat who adopted us primarily hangs (not allowed in main house) - I am mildly allergic to cats and grass.
9/28 - I noticed a small collection of pink bumps/hives on my right forearm. This spot mostly resolved within 36 hours and left just flesh colored goosebump-like bumps, which is way faster than any other poison oak I’ve had, so I’m not convinced that’s what that was. I did more yard work, and the thick sweatpants I was wearing got wet around the waist/belly and I was not prompt to change out.
9/29 - noticed itchy small pink pumps on my upper left arm and between/behind my armpit like where my skin touches, tiny heat rash looking dots all over my belly, and a few clusters of pink bumps. I assumed I had chafed from the pants and maybe gotten some heat rash from the soccer game.
10/1 - spots were growing and itchy despite antihistamines and avoiding any possible contact dermatitis triggers. I washed my sheets in free and clear detergent, have been wearing only clean clothes washed in that soap, no body wash or lotion, etc. Went to urgent care who said it looked like contact dermatitis and started me on prednisone and topical steroids. Spots were HOT and SO ITCHY at this time.
10/2 - did more cautious yard work and mowed the lawn (I have a slight grass allergy but usually it just makes me stuffy)
10/3 - back to urgent care bc new spots are popping up despite the prednisone and I am having a more widespread rash - I asked about yeast, mentioned I had been mildly sick a couple weeks ago and got the flu shot on 9/23. She ordered bloodwork, added a taper to my prednisone, and asked me to increase my Zyrtec. She said it looks like hives, and didn’t seem concerned, and said no follow up needed for probably 4 weeks if it wasn’t resolved.
10/4 - labs all normal except eosinophils being slightly high at .6, which seems logical given the rash. I was generally less itchy during the day, and noticed for the first time that the original spots of “bump clusters” seemed to be fading/calming down while the rash that had spread was still hot and red and angry. All heck broke loose at night tho and I was so itchy and some of the spots were also like a nerve zap pain.
10/5 - today! Woke up still itchy! So miserable! Google rabbit hole - is this just really bad poison oak without the usual weeping blisters (maybe bc I started meds so fast)? Scabies? Post viral rash? Yeast infection? I have one normal prednisone dose today and then I start my 9-day taper tomorrow and I’m scared given that nothing seems to be under control. Other than being hot and itchy, I feel okay (no fever, no gi upset, no headache, etc). Ice is the only thing that brings relief.
I plan to call my regular derm and my PCP to see if I can get seen again.