I'm going crazy and would love some input....

I'm male, 42yo, otherwise healthy, in good shape (5'10", 164lbs)

I get raised red bumps on the side of my neck, chest center (very little chest hair), shoulder tops, and in scalp. They're slightly pointy, but no head or center indentation, inflamed, sometimes slightly itchy - sometimes not, about the size of a pencil eraser or slightly larger. Kinda look like pimples without heads. I usually never have more than 6-7 at any given time, but they keep popping up when old ones go away. They come up pretty quick (half a day maybe) and last about 4-5 days before they're gone - usually without a trace - though sometimes I swear it looks like it left a little brown mark.

They started about a year ago - thought it was lice or something - saw the dermatologist and he gave me over the counter stuff. Didn't really help. They were mainly ONLY in the scalp at that time....hence why I thought lice. Then the occasional chest one, or one back side of neck. I've seen several derms since.

I went through a very stressful period of my life the last 9 months and also have had some acne - at my age! Doctor said it cold all be stress related. Derms put me on Minocycline 100mg 2x day which sees to have helped the acne flare ups, but done nothing for the weird red bumps. Thought they were hives and they gave me Atarax which stopped the itching - and Nizoral for scalp and bumps (anti-fungal). PLUS, PhisoHex antibacterial wash for face. Lots of crap I don't want in my system to be honest.

I've been on the Minocycline for almost 2 months, the Nizoral one month and PhisoHex almost one month.

I've done a lot of research about folliculitis (eosinophilic and otherwise), rosacea, dermatitis, etc...all very confusing. One site said Minocycline can case hive like bumps/reaction from extended use. What if I had a fungal thing, then stress caused teh acne and now the minocycline has aggravated the hives or folliculitis.

I'm losing my mind with worry and dread and don't knwo what to do. Anyone else hear of anything like this or can offer advice? Please help.

ItchyBumpyAggravatedMan

Chillypip

I advise you to go to your GP as if it is Hives and it gets on your face, it can be dangerous.

RedBumps

I dealt with my fears of HIV related folliculitis and got a test yesterday which came back negative, thank God. So now let;s see if the anxiety from that relief gone causes this to clear up. I'm not convinced it's not all stress. But I am still itchy. Thanks for your answer!