I have an itchy rash all over. If acute then consider a drug eruption particularly hives (urticaria). It will be red and non scaly but if red and scaly then consider atopic eczema, scabies and in the elderly a red scaly drug rash , metabolic problem (renal or liver failure) or just aged, sun damaged dry skin in the elderly. Scabies - Itch is all over but spares the face. Check the classic web spaces, wrists, elbows for burrows. If several people in the same family are all itchy it is scabies until proven otherwise. Lyclear cream or oral Ivermectin. Urticaria - Lesions come and go every few hours. Not fixed. Usually antibiotics, viral infections or food allergy for acute presentations. Autoimmune or physical urticaria if chronic. Acute drug reaction - May be urticarial or erythema multiforme or morbilliform but itch only if urticarial. Generalised and not systemically unwell. Chronic dry skin - Elderly with chronic already sun damaged skin. Moisturise, Soap substitutes. Rare- underlying Kidney or Liver problems, Polycythaemia vera - Renal or Liver failure leads to generalised itch and excoriations. View the video of this topic    |
