Red Bumps Appeared On Back. Itchy. Applied Benadryl Cream. No Improvement. Suggest The Right Medication?

Posted on Thu, 25 Jul 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 25 Jul 2013 Answered on

Wed, 21 Aug 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Red bumps appeared suddenly on back. Its a little itchy. I tried putting some benadryl cream on it thinking it might be an allergy for something, but no improvement yet. This started yesterday.

Answered by Dr. Johny Chacko (33 minutes later)

Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic
Is there any pain or burning sensation over the rash ?
For two days the rash has been over the same site ?
Is it enlarging in size ?

I can see a large bump (plaque) studded with smaller bumps (papules) and it is in a segment along the distribution of one nerve. I am thinking of shingles or herpes zoster as a possibility. It could also be insect bite reaction ( bed bugs) if predominantly itchy. Insect bite allergy will be very itchy, you have mentioned it as a little itchy. I strongly think of possibility of shingles because of the distribution. Did you suffer from chicken pox when you were younger ?

Please upload a few more pictures of the rash.
Waiting to hear from you.
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vasanth

Follow up: Dr. Johny Chacko (35 minutes later)

Thank you for the prompt answer. There is a tingling sensation or light itch, but there's no pain or severe itching. I did have chicken pox when i was little. I will try to upload more pictures, although its kind of difficult as i'm at work.

Answered by Dr. Johny Chacko (14 hours later)

Hello,
Welcome back.

I still think of the possibility of Herpes Zoster in view of the distribution.

I recommend you to see a dermatologist or Acyclovir 800 mg 5 times a day for seven days.

Tingling sensation and light itch is seen in herpes zoster.

Hope this helped.
Wish you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E