Shaving bumps, allergic reaction, something else...?

[slipstreamborne.livejournal.com]

When I woke up this morning I was rather surprised to find small, somewhat swollen bumps (kind of like insect bites, but not itchy) all up and down both of my legs, up my hips, and across my lower buttocks.  Some are a flushed red (especially the ones clustered on my left calf, which are the larger and "splotchier" than the rest) while others are just barely darker than my normal skin tone.  Some are barely bumps at all, but share the same changes in pigmentation.

I took a bath and shaved my legs yesterday morning, about an hour after which I applied some lotion.  It's a brand that I've used off and on for a long time and have never had problems with before, and while I also rubbed lotion on my arms and torso only my legs seem affected (also some of the bumps are in areas that I didn't shave).  I've had shaving bumps before but never to this extent (several dozen in relatively uniform coverage rather than the occasional bump).

I've done a little googling into rashes but nothing really seems to match what I'm seeing.  I'm going to call my GP later (I've had a headache and stiff neck for the past two days, so perhaps they're all linked), but I thought I'd see if you lovely ladies and gents had any insight or recommendations on things to be sure and bring up with my GP.

ETA:  Just got off the phone with my GP who says that it sounds like a viral reaction of some kind, but we're going to keep an eye on it for now and see where it goes from here, just in case it is meningococcal.  Thanks for the comments!

Comments

[fireaphid.livejournal.com]

Have you been overheating? That sounds like heat rash, and it could be related to the headache and stiff neck (which happen to be early signs of flu) if you maybe had a fever during the night and were trapped under a blanket or something. I don't see why you'd have shaving irritation in places you didn't shave, or how you'd be allergic to lotion only in some places where it was applied.

[slipstreamborne.livejournal.com]

That could be possible, though I slept in shorts and under a light-ish quilt. I'm not sure how long after exposure to heat it would take a rash like that to erupt, so could the heat from the bathwater also have contributed?

[iamjustme.livejournal.com]

It sounds to me like a reaction to sensitive skin + lotion = ouch hehe. But, after seeing far too many episodes of House, does it hurt to move your chin to your chest? Or side to side? I'd get to your GP just in case it's something more than just normal bumps - especially if you have a fever.

ETA: Oh, I just noticed that you said some of the bumps aren't where you shaved. I'd head to the GP when you can just to make sure, and I agree with the above commenter that it could be heat rash.

[slipstreamborne.livejournal.com]

I hear you on the too many episodes of House. First thing I did was google meningitis. ;)

[immortalavalamp.livejournal.com]

I hate to freak you out, but it could also be meningitis. Go to your GP!!

[fleurlur.livejournal.com]

You thought same as me!

[immortalavalamp.livejournal.com]

You can do searches for meningitis rashes. Some of them are severe, but some of the early ones sound a lot like what you're describing. Again, I'm not trying to scare you, but it'd be awful if it were something serious.

Take care!

[fleurlur.livejournal.com]

Just to be on the safe side, press a glass over the bumps, if the redness doesnt disappear I would call a doctor or even ER ASAP. I don't think the meningitis rash shows as bumps but with a headache and stiff neck I would check.

[immortalavalamp.livejournal.com]

I'm glad someone else had this reaction. It makes me feel like less of an alarmist.

[fleurlur.livejournal.com]

I'm a hypochondriac I always zone in on the most serious things symptoms can be, I just cant help it.

[immortalavalamp.livejournal.com]

Not totally unreasonable, when meningitis can progress from "oh, that's a weird rash" to a 106 degree fever in a day or 2. I think anyone who's been in undergrad has an OMG reaction to neck stiffness/pain, too. ;)

[immortalece.livejournal.com]

I thought bed bugs but who knows

[immortalavalamp.livejournal.com]

What ended up happening?

[slipstreamborne.livejournal.com]

Bumps turned out to be the beginnings of a viral rash, which I am now sporting all over my legs, back, and arms. Fun times. Thank god it doesn't itch.

No solid word on what exactly I have, but my GP did say that viral meningitis or a related virus is a likely candidate (I'd been vaccinated years ago, but even with the vaccine infection can happen, though apparently it tends to be much milder in presentation).

So basically I have to stay the course and just lay low and treat the symptoms on their own. It won't exactly be a week of fun and gaity, but at least no dramatic visit to the ER is in my future. :p

[immortalavalamp.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad you're ok! I was seriously a little worried there.

Hope you feel better soon!