DR SCURR: How to cure mysterious itchy lumps - and the condition that doctors can misdiagnose them as By Dr Martin Scurr For The Daily Mail Published: 06:44 EDT, 27 May 2024 | Updated: 06:48 EDT, 27 May 2024 e-mail 1 View comments Q: My husband suffers with small itchy lumps on his lower legs, arms, waist and groin. Our GP is treating him with Epimax cream — this keeps his skin moisturised, but does nothing for the irritation. He finds it difficult to sleep.

If he scratches them they crack and weep. Helen Sears, by email. Dr Martin Scurr replies: What you describe sounds like urticaria — also known as hives.

Up to 20 per cent of us will suffer this condition at some time, with raised itchy plaques that may look like nettle rash. When it comes to skin disorders, you need to examine the skin closely and perhaps take a swab to confirm the diagnosis. I say this because urticaria is common, which means it could too readily be given as the diagnosis when the issue is something else, such as contact dermatitis (an allergic reaction to washing powder or latex in rubber gloves, for instance) or a reaction to medications (to aspirin or some antibiotics, for example) and some immune-mediated skin disorders.

Itchy lumps on the skin can often be hives. An emollient cream might be recommended by doctors, but the condition can often be misdiagnosed Indeed, in answering your letter, I was reminded just how tricky it can be to diagnose a rash. I once had a patient who asked me to visit he.