Thread: Itchy red back acne?

Help! I've never had this before. My back has broken out, and not only is it broken out, but it itches! We've sort of ruled out allergens like laundry detergents.

Has anyone had this before & cleared it up? Ugh! i have to get rid of it!!!..c::

Contact dermatitis? If you can manage it, I'd see a dermatologist.

It does sound like dermatitis. I've had that, especially when the weather turns dry and cold. It can sometimes be aggravated by dry skin.
See a doctor if you can. If you can't try a cortizone cream for the itching, and maybe something else that is hypoallegenic for the skin if it is dry.

You wear sweaters? I use Aquaphor because I get these little dry bumps in the winter and Aquaphor lets your skin breath.

What is aquaphor?? maybe it is dry skin? seems to coincide with the heat having come on :-(

Sounds like it could be hives. Try some benadryl for the itching.

Did you eat something unusual or were you around anything that you may have had an allergic reaction to?

Hmm. So last night I started a regimen with Dr. Bronner's lavender soap (supposed to be very mild?) and then followed with a witch hazel toner, then some benzoil peroxide (I've been scratching, bad me, so trying to keep bacteria at bay), then followed THAT with Aveeno Skin Protecting lotion for sensitive dry skin. I'm hoping that will work, I'm so miserably itchy!! And all broken out--they don't look like hives, they look like acne, although I do have some red rashy areas, also.

Hmm. So last night I started a regimen with Dr. Bronner's lavender soap (supposed to be very mild?) and then followed with a witch hazel toner, then some benzoil peroxide (I've been scratching, bad me, so trying to keep bacteria at bay), then followed THAT with Aveeno Skin Protecting lotion for sensitive dry skin. I'm hoping that will work, I'm so miserably itchy!! And all broken out--they don't look like hives, they look like acne, although I do have some red rashy areas, also.

I know you said that you've ruled out detergents but is there any chance at all that your washing machine had had something a bit different in it recently? I have experienced the most *apalling* skin reaction as a teenager because my Mum put two 'washable gortex' waterproofs through the machine and then, on the next wash, my jumper absorbed the residue of the proofing agent.

It is probably worth bearing in mind that some clothes do absorb and retain allergens like that.

Also, I know its bit of a cover-all suggestion but dermatological conditions are frequently stress-linked.

In the case of some extreme allergic reactions (if that's what this is) then there are some specific antihistamines where you can, for a very brief period, up the dose substantially to knock something like this on the head. You'd have to see a Dr for proper advice, but that is one treatment that I know is sometimes wheeled out and it does work.

Could it be hormonal? Ie, fluctuation in the balance between your male and female hormones? That's one possible cause of acne.

Zyrtec is excellent for stopping the itch. My doctor prescribes it for people with poison ivy rashes. Are the breakouts under your bra line and straps, where your hair touches your skin, just where the shirt touches you, or all over?

Originally Posted by FayrouzFarasha

Zyrtec is excellent for stopping the itch. My doctor prescribes it for people with poison ivy rashes. Are the breakouts under your bra line and straps, where your hair touches your skin, just where the shirt touches you, or all over?

Seems to be mostly around my shoulder blades and down to my bra line, then sporadic and less itchy further down on my back. I did take a half a benadryl last night so I could get some sleep, but I always feel like I'm in a coma the next day.

I'd head straight for the Dr. but I'm headed to costa rica in 2 days and can't get an appointment before I go. At one point we had some zyrtec floating around in our house. Maybe I can dig it back up.

I was thinking again about the detergent issue. I'm wondering if I changed fabric softener. I may have changed fragrance (not brand), and that could definitely have made a difference...I know I'm allergic to some laundry detergents because of previous reactions. Hmm. ..c::

These symptoms could be brought on by so many things.

Eczema
Sizing in new clothes, sheets.
Scabies (mostly likely NOT this, but those are the main symptoms)

There's more, but I can't think of them right now.
You might need to see your doctor.

Originally Posted by gothique

These symptoms could be brought on by so many things.

Eczema
Sizing in new clothes, sheets.
Scabies (mostly likely NOT this, but those are the main symptoms)

There's more, but I can't think of them right now.
You might need to see your doctor.

Eeek ack, no, not scabies. I quickly ran & read about scabies, and I've not been in any situation lately that would facilitate that.

I think it is far more likely that I've been in contact with an allergan. I seem to be allergic to more & more things as I get older. So is my husband. We think that is so weird.

I have severe allergies so I totally understand. The more you are exposed to allergens the worse your reaction will become to the point of anaphylaxis. It only takes exposure to something like 3 times before you can develop an allergy. So you will develop allergies to more things and have worse reactions with every exposure.

Originally Posted by Sonja2

Eeek ack, no, not scabies. I quickly ran & read about scabies, and I've not been in any situation lately that would facilitate that.

I think it is far more likely that I've been in contact with an allergan. I seem to be allergic to more & more things as I get older. So is my husband. We think that is so weird.

I definitely think it's an allergy too.
They put a lot of chemicals in fabric now days.

This year I have had a horrible time with skin issues that the dermatologist can only describe as an autoimmune response. The only treatment that he could suggest was Prednisone, which is pretty awful. I have used Prednisone for three of these episodes, so when I felt another bout of this coming on, I decided it was time for something else. I wound up doing a juice fast for a week and a cleanse in the middle of it all. It really helped get the itchiness in check.
The wellness expert who I consulted really believes that our problems all stem from what we eat, and he says that skin is a reflection of the liver. If you are having skin problems, it is probably because your body is trying to flush out toxins.
If you are feeling like you are becoming allergic to more and more things, doing a cleanse might be a great thing for you (maybe after Costa Rica). I plan on doing this now once a year. I had so much energy, and felt really great after going through this process.

Originally Posted by tinasargent

This year I have had a horrible time with skin issues that the dermatologist can only describe as an autoimmune response. The only treatment that he could suggest was Prednisone, which is pretty awful. I have used Prednisone for three of these episodes, so when I felt another bout of this coming on, I decided it was time for something else. I wound up doing a juice fast for a week and a cleanse in the middle of it all. It really helped get the itchiness in check.
The wellness expert who I consulted really believes that our problems all stem from what we eat, and he says that skin is a reflection of the liver. If you are having skin problems, it is probably because your body is trying to flush out toxins.
If you are feeling like you are becoming allergic to more and more things, doing a cleanse might be a great thing for you (maybe after Costa Rica). I plan on doing this now once a year. I had so much energy, and felt really great after going through this process.

Not a bad idea. I do believe our food affects our skin. Putting that into action is more difficult :-) !!! Maybe I need a "90 days" AA for food, just like dance!! ..l;,..l;,