It's been happening for about 3 years now. It starts right before my period, lasts throughout my period and from a few days to a week after my period. I get little bumps in different areas, and not always the same areas each time. Usually pressure points - shoulder blades and buttocks, and where clothing fits tighter (ie waist band). But then again, I get it on my ears and on top of my head too (usually in my bangs and around the hairline). Looks a bit like poison oak/ivy as it comes in pathes, if broken, it's clear fluid. The doctor gave me allergy medication, but it doesn't stop it, though it seems to make it easier (hard to tell). I know once it seemed worse when I stopped taking the medicine, but sometimes it's worse than other times too. I'm 52 now and I think I've been in peri for about 4 years now. I'm now at the point where my menses are coming sometimes more than once a month, and sometimes not at all for a month or two. My menses were before pretty much like clock work except for the first year after had a tubaligation in my twenties. I was about 11 1/2 when I first started my menses. I also have (I believe permanent) red spots on my face.

Is there anything that can be done about this. I don't believe it's an allergy. I believe it's hormonal. If it is hormonal, is there anything that can be done? Or is this something I just have to live with. That's pretty much what I've been doing.
Kim

Hi Kim! I just had a mystery rash also. I visited with a dermatologist and It turned out to be a type of heat rash "maliaria" (I hope I spelled it right). I'm now using a cortocosteroid for the next three weeks and completely revamped my soaps and lotion to Aveno, Eucrin, Cetaphil and Cheer Free detergent. It's going away!! Aparently, lotions and soaps with oils can clog pours so your pours don't perspire properly and little liquid filled bumps can form, or in my case, yes a poison oak/measels looking rash!!. I think mine are hot flash related... perspire buckets in the night and was using a very oily bath salt and harsh antibacterial bath soap. Chatty

Thanks, Chatty. I've had heat rashes and I don't hot flash too bad, and when I do it's usually first thing in the morning that forces me to get up even when I want five more minutes. Also, I've had the heat bumps before, and it's a bit different. I've already changed everything to unscented stuff at least for soaps and detergent. Maybe I'll try changing the lotion. But it happens whether I use lotion or not.

Hi Kim,

Welcome to Power Surge!

If I were you, I would make a visit to a dermatologist. I have had the same rash spread over my feet in the springtime for the last 20 years. It is a kind of fungal infection, which clears up with a topical cream prescribed by my doctor. It is exactly as you described--little bumps that leak clear fluid if punctured (ok once I pricked them to see what would happen...)

I hope I will see you around often. And I hope the rash goes away soon!

Smiles,
Marcy

Thanks, Marcy! That could be it. The problem is getting an appointment at the time of a break out. Around here, we have to make appointments for a dermatologist months in advance. The rash comes and goes, sometimes worse than others.

Btw, the hot flashes used to be pretty bad, but since taking Soy Balance regularly, they're not as bad now. I bought and tried Aveno today, and I'm actually itching worse than I was, but didn't get the rashes with it. My skin feels smooth though. I took some benadryl today that helped but made me sleepy (and benadryl doesn't usually make me sleepy). Anyway, I was itching before using the Aveno too. This morning I'd used Gold Bond medicated lotion which seems to do well on my lower legs, but isn't doing so well on the rest of me. I don't really think the Aveno is causing me to itch, because I'm also itching in areas where I didn't apply the Aveno (or any other type of lotion)--like my scalp and back.