Rash All Over Upper Body Whenever I Get Sick...

[tx703]

Hi! Since I was in my teens every time I've gotten sick with any type of illness (generally common colds), I've gotten a bright, red rash all over my upper body and sometimes anywhere else warm (insides of elbows, groin, backs of knees). Initially, I thought it was probably a reaction to some medicine I was taking and dismissed it. At one point during college though, I got so fed up with this hideous rash that I decided not to take any medicine and live with the cold/flu symptoms. When the rash occurred without any medication, I went to a doctor for it. He said that in 26 years of medicine he had never seen anything like it and basically dismissed me as lying to him.

Since it does not itch (it does get stiff and puffy) and is mainly cosmetically irritating, I haven't worried too much about it. Just a few days ago, I got food poisoning, and the rash came along. I can't find any information on this anywhere, and I can't seem to find anyone else who shares this problem. Any ideas on why I get this rash every single time I get sick? It generally is at its worst when I am getting better.

[rad-skw]

Rash may be seen with group A streptococcal infections, particularly in children or adolescents younger than 18 years.

Or hives from a fever.

[pbmann]

I have the same thing since teens...no matter if it is a cold, flu, fever, whatever...I get this red spotty rash all over me. It blends together over the couple of days that I am sick and then goes away as I get well. Sometimes I even get the rash just prior to feeling any other cold symptoms and can tell that I am about to come down with something. I too thought it was an allergic reaction and one time opted to take no medicine...still got the rash. No one has been able to diagnose. I've been told that I may have some sort of idiosyncratic allergy to certain antibodies produced by my own immune system at the onset of a cold...don't know if that makes any sense or not. If you learn any more tx703 please let me know...I would love to know what is causing this.

[strawberreigh]

i too have the exact same syptoms as you, rash everytime i get sick and it comes out after a few days as i'm starting to get better. i've lost track of how many years, probably 20. it is always on my upper body and once it came out on my legs after it went away on the upper body. i get it every single time i get sick and i used to think it was strep related but could i be getting strep every single time i pick up a cold? i doubt it. i don't go get checked though. i have it today as a matter of fact and i am going to get a culture done.
anyway, did you ever find out what it was. it must be an antibody/immune issue of some sort.

[pbmann]

Well misery love company...I'm glad to know I'm not the only wierd one who gets this. Since my last post I've been to an allergist who ran LOTS of tests and only discovered that I am allergic to Pert shampoo...not a lot of help as this has nothing to do with my sick rash. Please let me know if you make any discovery with your culture.

[felrac]

I think what may be happening is that your body is overreacting to your sickness causing the rash. Basically it sounds like an immune disorder. I'm surprised that your doctor has dismissed this because it is something I learned about my first semester in college studying biology.

[pbmann]

Don't think it is the cell phone thing. I believe it is related to immune system as felrac mentions. Is it possible that in "overreacting" my immune system emits something I am allergic to? Maybe some antibody that my body doesn't like? And as I get well my immune system starts to kick back a notch and the rash gradually goes away?

[Corsulian]

I have this same stupid affliction - it first happened when I was 19. Anytime I have something cold-like (whether a mild cough & congestion, the flu, or even pneumonia twice), this non-itchy rash appears before most of the symptoms. Usually limited to face and neck but sometimes goes a bit further down. It starts out splotchy and then eventually merges. From a distance, towards the end of it, I just appear to have sunburn.

It never lasts more than 36 hours so I typically don't see a doctor until after it is gone. Explaining it has gotten me nowhere, showing pictures has only resulted in stupid advice (I don't become allergic to my face lotion for 36 hours every 3-4 months). The one time recently I had it going on while actually in a hospital - I offered $10 to anyone who could figure it out. Three doctors and four nurses later - no luck.

Allergies to antibodies is the best explanation I've ever heard.

The attached picture is a few hours after onset - showing forehead and neck.

[atlaaron]

Well I am sitting here with this same stupid rash and deciding to start Googling to see what I may find out. That's when I stumbled upon this thread. Like others, I first starting getting this rash in my early teens and it is always in the same spots. I could take a marker and circle areas on my skin where it will appear next time I get sick and I would be almost 100% dead on. Does this match everyone else?

I always first get it on the inside of my thighs and on my neck where your Adam's apple would be. I then get it on my eyelids, inside of my arms, and my feet/toes. Is everyone who has posted on this thread male? Just curious if it is more prominant in males.

Once the rash goes away the area sometimes itches and peels, but not always. I've seen doctors who say basically the same as above . . . an immune disorder where my body is attacking itself. The cause is very similar to psoriasis I believe.

Honestly, I would like to see all of us on here start hitting up as many specialists doctors and find out what this is and how we can get rid of it. Perhaps we can finally find an answer.

[pbmann]

I get it in the same place every time too. It starts on my wrists then appears on my thighs, eventually everywhere...back, neck, arms. Does not appear on face though. When the illness starts going away my rash does too but only after blending together like one magnificent sunburn. Sometimes it is worse than others. At its worst it may itch a little and be a little sensitive like a mild sunburn is...mostly just an annoyance though. I am male. If anyone determines that we all have some new disease I want dibs on naming it...