Why do red, bumpy patches appear after warm showers?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have been getting red patches that feel dry or bumpy whenever I shower or am in warm water. They also surround the light marks on my arms that have been there for about a year, and I would like to know what they are.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

I can very well understand how concerning these red patches must be after you take a bath. From the description of your condition and the photographs you have posted (attachments removed to protect the patient’s identity), the likely cause seems to be hot urticaria or aquagenic urticaria. Every time you take a bath, blood vessels dilate in response to exposure to water alone or heat. This causes urticaria-like lesions on the body, as shown in the pictures.

The lesions generally go away on their own. It is not very worrisome, unless it is itchy or causes flushing or other symptoms.

I would like to ask you a few questions:-

How long are you getting lesions?
Any other aggravating factors?
Do they go away on their own?
Are the lesions itchy?

You can do the provocation test. Just take a wet handkerchief and keep it around your wrist for 20 minutes. See if the red patches appear. Do you have any history of recent intake of any medicines? You can follow the following routine to decrease the chances of the lesions:

Use a gentle soap-free cleanser.
Avoid very hot water.
Apply a thick moisturizer immediately after bathing (within three minutes).
Do not scrub or use loofahs.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.