[36F] Experiencing welts and intense itchiness

Question

Take oxycodone once in a while for pain

Patient Description

A 36-year-old female reports the onset of large, raised, red welts with rough edges on her abdomen and other areas where she scratches. These symptoms have been occurring for a few days and resolve within a few hours but reappear upon scratching a new area. The welts themselves do not itch, but the patient experiences random itching, particularly on the abdomen. There are no associated symptoms such as fever, joint pain, swelling of lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing. The patient has not identified any triggers or patterns related to the appearance of the welts, and she is not currently on any medications or has any known allergies or chronic conditions.

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Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible explanations for your symptoms include:

  • Dermatographia: Also known as "skin writing," this condition causes the skin to raise in welts where it is scratched or rubbed. The welts usually disappear within 30 minutes to a few hours. This condition can cause itching, but the welts themselves typically do not itch.

    • Treatment typically involves avoiding scratching and irritating the skin. Over-the-counter antihistamines can help manage symptoms.

  • Urticaria: Also known as hives, this condition can cause welts to appear on the skin, often accompanied by itching. However, in your case, you've mentioned that the welts themselves do not itch, which is less typical for urticaria.

    • Treatment typically involves avoiding known triggers and taking over-the-counter antihistamines to manage symptoms.

  • Allergic reaction: An allergic reaction to a substance can cause welts and itching. However, you've mentioned that you haven't noticed any specific triggers for your symptoms, which makes this less likely.

    • Treatment typically involves avoiding the allergen and taking over-the-counter antihistamines to manage symptoms.

What you can do

While you should seek care from a healthcare professional for a formal diagnosis and treatment, here are some steps you can take in the meantime:

  1. Try to avoid scratching the affected areas, as this seems to be causing the welts to appear.
  2. Consider taking an over-the-counter antihistamine to help manage your symptoms. Please follow the instructions on the packaging and consult a healthcare professional if you have any questions.
  3. Keep your skin moisturized and avoid irritants that might make your symptoms worse.

What you should look out for

Please seek immediate medical attention if:

  • Your symptoms worsen or do not improve after a few days.
  • You experience any difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat, or any other signs of a severe allergic reaction.
  • You develop any new symptoms.

Remember, this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider for appropriate examination, testing, and care recommendations.

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6 mo ago

People Also Ask

What is dermatographia and how is it treated?

Dermatographia, also known as 'skin writing,' is a condition where the skin becomes raised and inflamed when scratched or rubbed. The welts usually disappear within 30 minutes to a few hours. Treatment typically involves avoiding scratching and using over-the-counter antihistamines to manage symptoms.

How can I differentiate between dermatographia and urticaria?

Dermatographia is characterized by welts that appear after the skin is scratched and typically do not itch, whereas urticaria (hives) often involves itchy welts that can appear spontaneously or due to specific triggers. A healthcare professional can help differentiate between the two based on symptoms and history.

Are there any common triggers for dermatographia?

Common triggers for dermatographia can include stress, skin irritation, and certain fabrics or materials. However, many people with dermatographia do not have identifiable triggers. Keeping the skin moisturized and avoiding known irritants can help manage symptoms.

When should I seek medical attention for skin welts?

You should seek medical attention if your skin welts worsen, do not improve after a few days, or if you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, which could indicate a severe allergic reaction.

2 Comments

Billy#7

6 mo ago

To my knowledge your skin symptoms are not a common side effect of oxycodone in case that's what you were wondering

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Billy#7

6 mo ago

I had similar symptoms once in my teens, but my skin was super itchy everywhere. I think the doctor just called it hives and recommended I get some antihistamine medication (non-prescription) from a local drug store. For me this worked and somehow the condition never came back

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