Skin burns.
January 8, 2010 | 10,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Olaf Stephan
Hello,
since yesterday I have had pain in the skin at a spot on my left arm. It is very sensitive to cold and hurts when I touch it. When I get goosebumps...and I get them quite often in this weather...it feels like muscle pain. What could it be and what can I do? All dermatologists here are already closed. Is it necessary to see a doctor or could it go away on its own? Yesterday I wore a sweater that hadn't been washed and was quite rough. My skin itself is very dry.
Thank you for your help
Daniela Bauer
Dear inquirer,
Unfortunately, it is very difficult, or rather almost impossible, to make an accurate diagnosis of a skin condition without actually seeing it in person. Regarding the skin condition you described, which appears localized on one arm, it could be, for example, a local allergic reaction, such as to detergent, cosmetics, or clothing. However, allergic skin reactions usually cause more or less severe itching. It could also be that the noticeable area of skin is due to exposure to heat, cold, pressure, or friction, in other words, a physical irritant as you mentioned, especially for sensitive skin. Additionally, an eczema-like condition is also possible. However, such localized skin irritations are almost always completely harmless to the rest of the body, so you can safely wait and observe over the weekend. If there is no improvement after the weekend, I recommend you see a dermatologist. I wish you a speedy recovery.
Best regards,
Olaf Stephan
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