o_so_sexual
11:22 am - 06/26/2012

Small Red Bumps on Chest

Hi...hope this kind of entry is ok here.

I recently traveld to Ireland from California (I've been here 2 weeks already).  This "rash" started developing here.  Its only on my chest (not breasts).  It is made up of small red bumps (the size of a pen head) and they do not itch.  They are scattered and everyday when I wake up I have more of them.  The skin surrounding the bump is white/normal and not inflammed in any way.  The bumps looks slightly puss filled but I havent picked at them since they dont really look like pimples.  This isn't like chest acne I have had before. 

Anyways,  I have a feeling it is an allergic reaction to something here but I still freak out over little things like this.  Plus, I'm not familiar with medications here so I figured this community could give me some insight/suggestions?  I may head over to a pharmacy later.  I just hope its a simple rash....thanks for any kind of input!

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gunshotbeauty 26th-Jun-2012 10:26 am (UTC)
they could just be pores but it could be a reaction to something as well so it's probably worth getting it checked out
gloraelin 26th-Jun-2012 10:47 am (UTC)
You should probably get it looked at, but you might try some benadryl or the like, and that might help if it's a contact allergy. For the record, I've had some MAJOR contact allergy reactions that haven't itched at all, so it's possible. It's a little odd IMO that they're only on your chest, but that can happen. Are you wearing any new necklaces or anything?
o_so_sexual 26th-Jun-2012 11:04 am (UTC)
Ya I would rather it itch so then I would be more certain that it was a rash of some sort. I started wearing a necklace since I got here - but not everyday. The necklace is gold though, so I don't understand why it would give me any kind of reaction (I'm not allergic to "real" metals). The bumps are also in my clevage so I guess it makes sense since the necklace is kind of long...
gloraelin 26th-Jun-2012 11:06 am (UTC)
It's entirely possible that there are carrier/trace metals, especially if it's like 14k gold or whatnot. It's also possible to develop new allergies suddenly [ask me how I suddenly found out about my latex allergy...], so that could be it.

And I totally hear you about the "I'd rather it [X] so I just know!" Been there, done that.
o_so_sexual 26th-Jun-2012 11:10 am (UTC)
ok thank you for that reassurment...it seems totally possible. I never wear necklaces and this was given to me before I got here so I have been wearing it. I suspected that it was the cause of the bumps but still wanted to wear it haha. Sorry about the laxtex allergy - I'm sure that was an interesting experience haha! Anyways, thanks for your response
kuradi8 26th-Jun-2012 12:33 pm (UTC)
There's a pink lotion called Caladryl that might help. It's good for all kinds of rashes, bug bites, contact with plants like poison ivy, allergic reactions, etc. It's "off the shelf" in the first aid aisle of drug stores, supermarkets and probably cheapest at discount stores like Walmart. Shake well, squirt a little on a cotton ball or your fingers and smear it on.
o_so_sexual 26th-Jun-2012 12:44 pm (UTC)
Thank you! I will look for that
capeofstorm 26th-Jun-2012 12:51 pm (UTC)
Irish here *waves*

I think the best option for now is to get it checked out. Go to your local pharmacy, the pharmacists can usually help with picking an ointment or referring you to a doctor if they think you should get something that's perscription only.

Whenever I travel back to Ireland I usually have some outbreaks on my skin from getting used to the water and humidity here and over the counter stuff helps. Hope it's a similar case with you!

Best of luck!

Edited at 2012-06-26 12:53 pm (UTC)
o_so_sexual 26th-Jun-2012 01:02 pm (UTC)
Hi! I just came back from the pharmacy and they gave me Hydrocortisone 1% and a body wash for sensitive skin. Usually when I travel I get weird skin problems that aren’t normal for me so I think it must be me just getting used to the climate here (which is very different! ;]) Hopefully it helps with clearing it up...

Thank you for your recommendation!
kuradi8 26th-Jun-2012 01:27 pm (UTC)
Oh good, Hydrocortisone cream would have been my second suggestion. It's also the active ingredient in "medicated" feminine wipes so if you get a yeastie (I hope you don't) it will help relieve some of the itching symptoms there.
o_so_sexual 26th-Jun-2012 01:31 pm (UTC)
Hopefully not! But I might buy some and take them home because I doubt we have anything like that in the states...
stacyinthecity 26th-Jun-2012 01:56 pm (UTC)
Another possibility is staph. You may want to get it checked out by a doctor since there are lots of things it could be.
o_so_sexual 26th-Jun-2012 02:44 pm (UTC)
well that just freaked me out. Is there anything else I should be on the look out for...other symptoms?
stacyinthecity 26th-Jun-2012 02:57 pm (UTC)
Not really, at least nothing I know. Staph infections can show up as red bumps, similar to a pimple, sometimes with puss in them. It isn't something that can be diagnosed with a photo or something, so I'd definitely recommend getting it checked out.
slice254 26th-Jun-2012 03:55 pm (UTC)
If it is staph, it is usually kind of painful (not unbearable, but you know it is there and it hurts), and you'll often have a low grade fever.

Is it really hot where you are in CA? Are you sweating a lot? A lot of times people with Northern European heritage are really sensitive to hot weather. I know for me, when I sweat a lot (and I live in South Louisiana so I sweat a lot in the summer), even just my clothes can rub my skin raw. I'll get those tiny red bumps too. They are sometimes called prickly heat.

Benadryl or Caladryl lotion will work well, as will lotions or creams with hydrocortizone in them. If you go to a pharmacy or drug store, the pharmacist should be able to give you some specific recommendations.
o_so_sexual 26th-Jun-2012 04:13 pm (UTC)
well the bumps aren't painful...not even itchy. No fever and I feel fine - I've had these bumps for about 2 weeks now. So I doubt its staph. Obviously I will keep my eye on it though.

I'm from California so I can deal with the heat. I'm living in Ireland now (for 2 months) where its not hot at all. I doubt its a heat rash of any kind. I think my body is just getting used to this new environment. I bought a hydrocortisone cream earlier so I'll just use that for now hoping it doesn't get worse!

Thanks for the reply :]
juliiie87 26th-Jun-2012 05:42 pm (UTC)
Just wanted to say I've had what I believe to be the exact same thing all around my neck and higher part of my cleavage coming back from holiday (in England lol). It went away on its own gradually after a dozen days I'd say. I put some random lotion indicated for rashes, mosquito bites, sunburn etc, and I think it helped, but basically I was really careful what I wore and just kept the area clean.

In my case, I figured it was probably the detergent / dyes in a new sweater I bought there and put on immediately on the last day of my trip, or that my scarf had been contaminated with something (detergent, the floor, ...). It could also be that your clothes and/or the bed linen have been washed with a different detergent you're allergic to.

Or it could be something you're eating often here you weren't eating at home. or something in the air. There are just so many possibilities really, most of them begnin I think.
o_so_sexual 27th-Jun-2012 10:53 am (UTC)
ya I think thats probably what I have! Thanks
dkwgdk 26th-Jun-2012 09:21 pm (UTC)
Are you eating anything new? (Juliiie mentions that above.) I got a very similar rash from eating raw pineapple in a fruit salad several days in a row. I had it at the hotel where we stayed and it was SO DELICIOUS except...I got a rash. When I stopped eating the fruit, the rash cleared right up! It was on my chest and a bit on my throat, which was really confusing at first, but I think that's not uncommon when it's a food allergy.

Also -- good move on seeing a pharmacist. Mine has saved me numerous trips to the doctor!
o_so_sexual 27th-Jun-2012 10:54 am (UTC)
nothing out of the ordinary but I'll keep an eye out for anything different! Thanks
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