Help!!! Am in the Caribbean and my whole body has broken out in a sore/itchy rash!

[Anonymous]

Not sure if it's the sun or the sunscreen, but something has caused me to break out all over! It's truly awful, woke up at 3am last night scratching and finally had the front desk send over some Benedryl, didn't know what else to do. It helped by putting me to sleep but today I'm itchy, sore, and uncomfortable again, and going out on the beach is totally out of the question.

This has never happened to me before and I'm not doing or using anything new. I'm incredibly vigilent about putting sunscreen on, SPF 50 & 70. (love sitting in the sun but hate wrinkles!) Has this ever happened to anyone else? And most importantly, if it did when you were pregnant please tell me the next time you were in the sun after you had the baby that it didn't!!! I'm hoping that I haven't just become allergic to the sun. ((

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Are you developing a shellfish allergy?

[Anonymous]

Could be this:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/polymorphous-light-eruption/DS00911

Happens to me and my sister and started happening out of the blue after years or no problems. Itchy but harmless

[Anonymous]

It may be heat rash / prickly heat. This is fairly common.

[Anonymous]

it can be food, something in the air... I get you need to vent but it's just silly to expect that any of us can actually help...
and for the record the only diff btw SPF 30 40 70 or whatever above 35 is just the price.
my IL works with such research and any number above 30 means BS!

[Anonymous]

Sounds like heat rash and/ sun poisoning; I get both. Waterproof suncreens can exacerbate the problem, so I only use the non-waterproof kind (usually Clinique, but use the gentle stuff for babies in a pinch). Unfortunately, the hormones you have while expecting are probably making it worse. My worst reactions were while I was on drug therapies while TTC. You need a good hat, and, unfortunately, really need to stay out of the sun, especially during the middle part of the day.

[Anonymous]

I had shingles with both pregnancies which is also a sore itchy rash, I'd have the resort doc take a look, we are all just guessing.

[Anonymous]

How far along are you? It could be PUPP, which will last until you deliver and there is no treatment. It usually occurs during the third trimester. While itchy and horrible, it will not harm you or your baby.

http://dermatology.about.com/cs/pregnancy/a/puppp.htm

[Anonymous]

If I was lucky enough to be in the Caribbean right now, I would not be posting on DCUM. Call your doctor and enjoy your visit.

...And stop rubbing our noses in it!

[Anonymous]

How far along are you? If you are in your 3rd trimester it is probably PUPP.

[Anonymous]

I am 2nd trimester and had a weird itchy rash two weeks ago. My skin is a little sensitive but I never had this happen before. I switched to unscented soap and lotion for a few days and it went away. Just wanted to let you know it might not be anything to worry about-- there's hope!

[Anonymous]

You are at a resort in the caribbean and you took the time to post on DCUM. Wow! See if you can find a local doctor - there has to be at least one on the island.