About a week and a half ago, after a visit to a local area lake (swimming included) I first noticed a small series of bright red, non-itching spots on my lower legs, just around my ankles. At the same time, I believed I had picked up what we call in the South 'chiggers' -- though that's probably not the medical name for them -- otherwise known as red bugs, etc. The typical treatment we recognize is to cover the swelling with fingernail polish to smother the 'bug'. Anyway, it's a week and a half later and the red spots have spread from my ankles to my groin area (none in the actual pubic area), front and back. There is still no itching, but they are bright red and very embarassing. In addition, a week after the first appearance of the splotches, I developed an (unrelated?) stomach ailment which lasted for 3 days, but has now passed, leaving only the red rash. I experienced some muscle pain in areas not closely related to the rash, and one of my fingers has swollen a bit. I'm trying to give everything I can think of that might possibly be related. I experienced no fever, and feel just fine at the moment. I'm not sure what this is, but I would appreciate any feedback whatsoever.

J_9

I am uncertain as to what this could be other than a possible parasite. There are some parasites that live in lakes, streams and rivers that may be causing this. The only way to know for certain is to make a visit to your doctor. If this does seem to be the case then the water in that lake will have to be inspected.