Rash on chest after shower

[Pizzalover2]

For the last couple of months I've been getting a rash after I take a shower. I don't use hot water. I get red spots on my chest and they get very itchy. They go away like 15 minutes after I get out of the shower. I'm wondering what it could be?

[Lynora]

The rash could be caused by any number of things - if it concerns you, or persists, then seek face to face medical assessment.

[DeadfootMo]

The water was too hot or you have hard water. Not sure how you can soften hard water but warm water is better than hot for your skin. My skin would be raging with hot water as a I have eczema, but I much prefer warm water or even water that is almost cold especially if it is hot outside and my skin is already suffering because of the heat. I also can't use soap, so I am having to use Hydromol as an emmolient in the water and as if it were soap. When I get out of the bath I am having to plaster my patchy raised rashes which are all over my body with Betnovate 1 in 4 ointment. Last week I finished a course of antibiotics and a 5 day course of steroids as my skin was very bad, a proper old flare up in less than 48 hours. This week I am back on anti-histamines but all that is doing is giving me a sore throat. I prefer to cover my skin up too, as I can't let the sun at it. When my skin is at its worst, I use viscopaste wraps and these are fabulous, they cool your skin, moisterise it, prevent infections from getting in and when the bandaging comes off after say 10 hours, the once raised rashes are flat and paler. Ah relief.

[Jayjayjetplane87 in reply to DeadfootMo]

If it was from the heat, it would appear during other times, not just in the shower & it wouldn’t be very itchy. In some people, it’s any kind of water, from all water sources & it does eventually go away. Scalding the skin is different than a dermatitis.

[Shxilla]

Hey, I have the same thing too. I’m trying to figure what it is as well

[Jayjayjetplane87]

My sister had this for many, many years. It was only on her chest, she’d have under 10 blotches, they’d itch like crazy and then go away. But, it happened anytime she was in any kind of water. Shower, pool, river, ocean, pond, and lake. It’s happen in the house she grew up with, the many places she lived in college, in homes out of state, and even outside the country. I’d say about 15 years she’s dealt with it and it just recently stopped. I worked on derm for a few years and never saw anything like it. It’s like a strange dermatitis but more autoimmune-like. Good luck! I hope you get it figured out! Sorry I was no help but just know, you’re not alone.

[ZShoe]

I have this same problem.

[Kitties2]

I had a very similar issue a few years back.Was on antihistamines but nothing helped. I’d get itchy rash like spots on my chest and arms mostly after showering.

I live in Florida and the water is hard.

I spent 2 weeks away out of state on vacation and realized the itching and redness was gone.

I realized then that the shower water at home was the culprit! We purchased a water filter to put on the shower head - Aquabliss- and the rash and itching went away! I change the filter every 4-6 mos or sooner if rash appears. Good luck!

[Gina427]

Sounds like MCAS (Mast Cell Activivation Syndrome). Dr. Beth O'Hara is the go-to on this. She recovered herself and has a huge/thriving practice. Just getting on her email list (and any freebies along with that) will help a LOT. Be prepared for vast lifestyle changes (food alone is huge). Oh yeah, and mockery from legacy med. Like lymph issues, they don't teach them this stuff. 🙄