It began with one lump of tiny blisters on my arm. It was approximately the size of quarter, and I assumed it was an insect bite.
It has progressed into a rash on my neck, stomach, bra line, chest and lower back. It looks like a combination of mosquito bites and pin prick rash. It is only mildly itchy. On my head I have ten plus large lumps, each about the size of a quarter. There is nothing on my arms, hands, feet, legs or face.
We have bed bugs in my building, so I initially assumed this was the problem. We bought a professional steamer and steamed everything (including lamp shades, furniture, floor, walls and crevices). I did 48 loads of laundry, put out powder and had the apartment sprayed by a professional. The professional did not find a nest or evidence of bugs. I have been sleeping on an elevated aerobed with inverted tape around the bottom to catch anything that might try to crawl up. The rash continues to get worse, and has progressed from being nothing, other than the one bite on my arm, to being covered in three days.
I went to my doctor and she said that it may be pityriasis, but that it didn’t explain the lumps on my head. She said that it did not follow the typical pattern of any type of infestation (eg. fleas, bed bugs) and it looked more viral. She thinks the lumps on my head are a coincidence, even though I know they appeared at the exact same time. She said there is nothing she can do.
I am feeling tortured by the look and discomfort of this rash. I have an appointment booked with another doctor next week for a second opinion, but I’m worried that s/he may not know what it is.
Has anyone ever experienced anything like this, and do you have any suggestions for what it might be?
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