Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] Hello. I recently started developing small red bumps on my arms and it s spreading to my shoulder blades. They are about the size of a mm and have yellow or white liquid in them. They are a little painful. I am sensitive to allergies and I m wondering if they are an allergic reaction or bug bites
[|AI|]  Thank you for your query. The bumps seem to be vesicles Would you please clarify a few things for me? 1)have you had chicken pox /varicella? 2)do you see any bite marks on the affected arm? 3)have you been outdoors, camping for instance? Was there any contact or exposure to poison ivy or oak? 4)are you on any medications? 5)did you have any pain., itching or tingling on the affected area before the vesicles appeared? 6)are they limited to one side of the body? Herpes zoster /Shingles start out as altered sensation on the skin (pain/itching/tingling)with redness, usually on side of the body and limited to a specific area. It occurs in those individuals who already had chicken pox, by the reactivation of the virus that remains dormant in the nervous system. This then progress to form vesicles which appear in cluster and is filled with clear fluid which may become infected (pustules). The pain is usually severe. This resolves. In a couple of weeks although the scabs on the healing vesicles may take longer to disappear. Poison ivy or oak may cause this lesion. Intense pruritic (itching), pain and redness of underlying skin occurs. Allergic reaction will usually have a trigger (known allergens like insect venom, certain food items, medications for instance) and will result in a generalized (all over the body) rash (without fluid), unless it is contact dermatitis (in which case it will be localized to the area of contact with the allergen). Bug bites can be identified by bite marks and may resemble an allergic reaction (if you were already allergic to it) or it may have a reaction limited to area immediately surrounding the bite. Certain systemic infections may cause cutaneous manifestation. I recommend you see your physician/dermatologist who could assess, diagnose and treat it. Do not apply any OTC medications without consulting your doctor. Some of these contains corticosteroids that will worsen the rash if it is an infection. Keep the area clean and Chat Doctor.  If the rash or pain is too severe, fever more than 102F occurs, or any worrying symptom like lethargy, severe headache, giddiness is present, go to the ER right away. Hope this helps. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Wish you good health