Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with rash

What's up with my skin?

Vampire Cat — Sat, 04 May 2013 13:37:22 -0800

I've had a mysterious rash for the past 8 months, starting 2 weeks after my first child was born. Two different dermatologists say probably eczema, and I probably just have to live with it. Should I give up and live with it, or try to do something else? I had eczema on my wrists (and only on my wrists) when I was about 8. I put some sort of cream on it and eventually it went away completely for 22 years. Then 2 weeks after my kid is born, some itchy redness shows up on the backs of my hands.

At first it was just on the backs of my hands, and in these small circles sort of like ringworm. I was sleep-deprived and stressed out (the early weeks were difficult). We used disposable diapers in the first two weeks or so, then switched to cloth diapers. I was washing my hands a lot after changing diapers, and there was the new cloth-diaper-safe detergent (Rockin green). Neither my wife nor son have had any symptoms.

I tried over-the-counter cortisone stuff, moisturizer, anti-fungal stuff, and doing nothing on the various spots, but I couldn't determine any difference between the treatments. The one spot that improved the most was a cortisone-treated spot, but so was the one spot that got worse the most. My wife took over the bulk of diaper duty, we tried changing detergents (All, free and clear), we tried running a load of rags with bleach before doing adult laundry, and my stress levels went down naturally, but nothing seemed to matter.

My hands were a little dry, but not the driest they've been since I was 8. Occasionally the backs of my hands have gotten chapped when I spent too much time outside without gloves in the winter, and I never needed anything more than some moisturizer to heal it.

The spots on the backs of my hands got pretty bad, and I also started getting some spots on my upper arms and on my legs, so I went to a dermatologist. She did a scraping and said it wasn't ringworm. She said it could be a handful of things, but it didn't really matter because the treatment would be the same - topical steroid ointment, fluocinonide 0.05%. I put that on for two weeks and the spots got a lot better, but didn't totally go away. She did another scraping and sent it to a lab to look for bacteria, and there was some, so she gave me an antiobiotic and told me to continue for another two weeks. When I asked her if there was any way to determine the cause of this rash, she said I could get a biopsy, but it probably wouldn't tell us much.

The spots would go away completely, but once I stopped putting the steroid on them, some of them would come back. I would randomly get new spots on my arms, legs, backs of my fingers, and tops of my feet. I didn't get warm fuzzy feelings that the first dermatologist was going to solve this for me, so I decided to get a second opinion. The second dermatologist said it's definitely eczema, and I just have to live with it, moisturizing as much as possible, treating with steroids for two weeks, taking a break from steroids for a week, and repeating. She also gave me a "stronger" steroid cream, triamcinolone acetonide 0.1%.

I used the "stronger" cream for two weeks, but it didn't work as well as the ointment, which I'm able to leave as a layer of greasiness on the backs of my hands for most of the day -- I very carefully wash just the fronts of my hands when I have this stuff on, and I punch a keyboard all day.

So now I'm using the ointment for two weeks, taking a break, and repeating. During the break I put the greasiest Eucerin you can find on my skin instead of the ointment - Original Healing Soothing Repair Cream With Rich Emollients, Maximum Richness. By the end of the two weeks of ointment I'm in pretty good shape, but then by the end of the week break it's all itchy, red, sensitive, and slightly inflamed again. That's where I'm at now - finger, back of my upper arm.

I'm tired of putting this stuff on my skin every day, and the explanations don't make any sense to me. It's May now and my skin isn't dry at all. I'm getting decent sleep, and I'm not stressed. The second dermatologist also said my past eczema plus my other allergies (cat hair, dust, pollen) point to eczema, but most of this rashy time has been pollen-free winter.

So what is going on? Should I see another dermatologist? Should I suck it up and continue with the steroids? Should I get a biopsy? Neither dermatologist gave many details about what sort of biopsy they'd do or what they might be looking for.

WTF are these rashes below my belly button/above my crotch? (NSFW)

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:17:00 -0800

Please help me figure out what these itchy bumps are and how to get rid of them! Belt buckle rash? Tinea cruris? Acne outbreak? Scabies?!?! Something else? NSFW Photo

Seriously, what the hell's going on here? I've been searching Google and past MetaFilter posts to find out what exactly this unsightly flare-up of rashes is so I know how to treat it, but I'm still clueless, because it seems like it could be any one of those things, if not something else. I first noticed these spots a couple of weeks ago, but there were just a couple of them that I thought were pimples and would go away on their own. Much to my dismay, they seem to have multiplied...

Some details:

The rashes are not sex-related.

I shower daily with soap and water (scrubbing my nether regions thoroughly), put on a fresh batch of underwear right after, and do laundry weekly (cold water with Tide Clean Breeze Detergent + Distilled Vinegar). During showers, I place my towels on a shelf beside the shower, which I share with three roommates. I hang my towels on hooks in my room and switch towels after a few uses (probably use 2 towels per week), throwing them in the washer with my clothes each week.

I only have and use ONE belt, which I've had for a long time and use when I go out. I've never washed it. It just occurred to me that it might not be a bad idea to do so, or at least clean/disinfect the buckle. In all the years I've used the belt, I haven't ever had a problem like this, but could it be the belt that's the source of the problem?

I recently bought Gold Bond Medicated Powder to alleviate the itching in my crotch area (I've been guilty of scratching down there, mostly late at night right before bed, sometimes before I get up... and sometimes can get carried away... could the scratching be related to what's happening?), and now I've been powdering the area below my belly button as well, but the powder's really just been for relief and hasn't done anything to eliminate the rashes.

Anyway, I'm curious as to what exactly is going on down there, and what products I should purchase to take care of the issue. Links and brand name suggestions would be excellent, so I know what to look for on Amazon or at the drug store. I just want to be free of these rashes, and promise I won't scratch down there again!

Thanks for your help!

You are not a doctor, but maybe you can help me with a weird skin thing.

space_cookie — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 09:34:24 -0800

I have something rash-like going on. It started on my face, spread to my torso and back. It's migrating quickly. What the hell is it? Of course I should see a doctor...can't afford to until a major hang up with my health insurance is resolved. I don't know how long it will take, maybe be next week, maybe two months from now.

Me. 37 y/old woman. About 6 weeks ago I had what I thought was an unusual acne break out on my right chin from the corner of my mouth downward. The skin has raised red bumps and is dry and flaky. The red bumps spread to the other side of my chin/mouth. Then it started to run up in the lines between my nose and mouth. Make-up can deal with most of it, but still. About 10 days ago the guy I'm seeing pointed out a smattering of small, red, slightly raised bumps across the small of my back. A few days after that I noticed the same smattering red bumps on by pelvis/hips. In the last few days it's spread up my torso and the rest of my back. The bumps are most clustered, dense and flaky on my face. On my torso and back they just seem random and scattered, no flakiness...but increasing in numbers. It seems like it took several weeks for the rash to go from my face to the rest of my body, now it's spreading really fast.

This is brand new to me. The only skin condition I've ever had is very mild tinea versicolor, which flares up once every few years and goes away after a week of washing with dandruff shampoo. I don't have any personal or family history of skin allergies, eczema, psoriasis etc. I have not changed products in ages - all of my lotions, perfumes, cleansers, soaps, laundry detergents etc. are as they have been for ages. He hasn't changed products either.

I don't have a fever. The bumps are not painful, tender, itchy, or swollen and don't seem to have any fluid/puss or other gross stuff in them.

I'm not taking new medications. The only thing I can think of that changed around the time the rash stared is that I eat a lot more Trader's Joe's food.... sandwiches, salads, veggies etc. I can change that if it seems appropriate. I'm under more stress than usual, but mostly good stress.

Other stuff. Don't smoke. Drink on average 2 glasses wine/beer/mixed drink twice a week. My weight is fine, diet is fairly decent, don't exercise as much as I should. I rarely get sick.

What the fuck is this? Anything I can do until I can see a doctor?
Thank You!

How can I soothe/remoisturizing the irritated skin on my face?

lovableiago — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:42:59 -0800

How to heal or restore moisture to this (probably) temporary chemical-sensitivity induced rash/dryness on my face? I just came back from a weekend at a vacation rental and the skin on my face--mostly around my mouth--is very dry, red, scaly, a bit itchy and generally irritated (it actually feels like I have a sunburn, though I am near certain this is not a sunburn). Please help me fix this without making it worse.

I usually wash my face (only at night) with pretty gentle stuff--Trader Joe's face wash with tea tree oil or a Neutrogena "Naturals" or Cetaphil anti-bacterial bar, depending on how much make-up I'm wearing or how much I've been sweating. For this trip I grabbed a random travel size face wash in my attempt to be low-maintenance and not schlep my whole medicine cabinet with me. The one I got was Neutrogena's "Oil Free Face Wash". I realized after using it several nights that it has salicylic acid in it. I know that is already drying, PLUS I was not putting moisturizer on after I washed my face with it because...vacation/lazy, but my skin is irritated enough that I'm wondering if I also did not do a good enough job of rinsing it off or something (this occurred to me because after the first night of using it I got sort of red and itchy in front of my ear near my hairline--which sometimes gets missed when I rinse my face). Anyway there's a fine rash all along my jaw line and chin that sort of looks like little zits that kind of burns and the skin in that area is just dry and flaky and pretty nasty looking. The skin directly under my lower lip feels like it's chapped.

For what it's worth, this also may have been a matter of sleeping on vacation rental sheets that I highly doubt were laundered with the higher-end hypoallergenic detergent I use at home. I mention because I actually woke up this morning and the side of my face that I was sleeping on was swollen, especially around my eye (noticeable to others) and my eye sort a bit watery all morning so maybe this indicative of a larger allergy issue? Probably several converging factors here, but the question is:

Has this kind of thing ever happened to your skin, and if so, how did you nurse it back to normalcy? I am home now and I want to 1) take my make-up off (if I didn't have to go out and about today I would have just skipped it) and 2) soothe/restore moisture to that area. My first instinct would be to use a gentle soap (like the cetaphil bar) and a hot washcloth but would the heat make it worse? I have some coconut oil I put on my skin when it gets dry but I am afraid that will further irritate things too. I have a pretty heavy Cetaphil skin cream I use in winter months but I am just wondering if there are any better ideas? Oatmeal mask? Benadryl? I can get over my vanity but the burning/itching is just darn uncomfortable. Thanks in advance.

What is going on below my waistline?

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:19:47 -0800

I have spots near my groin region. I know you're not my doctor, but if you can give me any insight to calm my nerves it would be appreciated. Also, what do I say to the girl I'm dating? About me: 30 year old straight male.

I have a about 6 light pink to red spots between my navel and groin region, and they are a few centimeters apart from each other. I just noticed them today.

One is on my inner leg, and looks slightly chaffed or opened. They don't itch and they're not painful, except for the ones that are right on my waistline, which is rubbing against my underwear waistband.

I had an STI test performed two months ago, however I don't believe I was tested for herpes. The test came back clean.

I am going to my doctor tomorrow morning.

I'm really nervous right now, as:

1) I don't know what this skin condition is. And I'm feeling very panicky about it.

2) I'm supposed to meet up with a girl I've been dating and sexually active with for the past few weeks on Friday. We have had sex without a condom on two occasions. I don't know what to say to her about this. How do I bring this up?

What is this rash around my mouth?

Busoni — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:06:21 -0800

You Are Not My Doctor, but can you help me identify a rash around my mouth? (Pics inside, as well as description that you might or might not think is gross.) Pic 1

Pic 2

(Pics are after a shower)

Hey so I have this rash around my lip and on my chin. You're not my doctor, but I was hoping someone (or several people) could say, "Yup, that's thrush, get yourself an antifungal" or something like that.

Backstory in case it's relevant: I had a cold sore on my lip probably a month ago by now, that healed up in about a week thanks to Abreva, but then something else appeared on the corner of my mouth, which I figured was another cold sore. Chalked it up to it being a stressful week at work as well stress from packing up and moving soon, going on a diet, not getting enough sleep, etc. There was some weeping/pus (although not sure if it was mostly just the lip balm I was putting on it) and it seemed to heal. But now it's been about two or three weeks and it looks like it's spreading and it doesn't look like herpes at this point (right?). I think the spreading was due either to my licking it or trying to shave around it.

It kind of stings, like there's a bit of heat on it, especially if I stretch it out with my tongue. It just feels (and kind of looks) like raw skin.

I'm putting a lip balm type of thing on it, I also put aloe vera gel on it for a day, which seemed to really dry it out. It just occurred to me today that maybe I should be more proactive about it and that it might be some kind of bacterial/fungal infection.

Thanks for any tips you can give.

I do not want to be dealing with this!

pluckemin — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 09:14:16 -0800

Does my hotel room have bed bugs? I've been staying at a (decent) hotel for the past couple of nights. After the first night, I woke up with a rash on both of my hips -- but only where my underwear covered my skin (and my underwear was covered by the snug, tripled waistband of a pair of yoga pants). Though my immediate thought was "oh crap, bed bugs," it didn't make sense that they would only bite me in a location that a) was covered by two layers of snug clothing, and b) was mostly bone. I took a cursory look at the bed, couldn't see any signs of bugs.

Second night: I wake up in the middle of the night and my scalp really itches. I also have developed a rash on my shoulder, underneath the strap of my tank top. I finally fall back asleep. I woke up this morning and the backs of my knees really itched; I looked in the mirror and they appear to be covered in bug bites. The rash on my shoulder doesn't have any discrete bites, just all-over redness. My scalp still itches, but doesn't feel like it has any bites, just irritation. My left ear, which I was sleeping on, is itchy and inflamed. I have been scratching everything like mad, so it's hard to tell whether the irritation or the scratching came first.

I did a more thorough investigation of the bed -- looking all over the sheets for blood spots; lifting up the mattress and looking between it and the box spring; pulling back the sheets and mattress pad and unzipping the mattress cover to look at the seams of the mattress. Nothing, so far as I can see.

So. Evidence for bed bugs: itchiness, possible bug bites. Evidence against bed bugs: No visual sign of bed bugs. Bites/rashes are in places covered by clothing (there are none on my bare arms, for example) and my scalp.

Should I be freaking out more or less than I already am? Is it bugs other than bed bugs? An allergy to the detergent the hotel uses for the sheets? (When I woke up in the middle of the night I was also congested and sneezy.) Sudden allergy to my own detergent? (This seems unlikely, since I use the "free and clear" stuff that has no perfumes or dyes.) Hysteria? (Not out of the question, as far as I'm concerned; I have a tendency to somaticize anxiety.)

I can post photos of the backs of my knees if you're really curious. But I hope the answer is just "paranoia."

Help me diagnose my sudden strange rash.

bchaplin — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 11:47:20 -0800

Suddenly developed a rash on the underside of my wrists, and it seems to be spreading. Please help me diagnose it before I visit the doctor tomorrow. More info than you want to know inside. Sitting in my living room yesterday I suddenly noticed small itchy bumps that had appeared on the underside of my wrists. They seem to have spread up to my elbows, to the backs of my hands, and onto my legs. I feel like it gets worse every time I sit in a certain upholstered chair, and suspect that the ancient blanket I pulled from a high shelf in my closet on Friday, somehow spread mites onto the chair. I've since removed the blanket. I may get rid of the chair too but that is kind of drastic since I do not have too much other furniture. The chair was purchased new and I've had it for a while. And I don't know for sure that it's the cause.

The bumps are tiny, colorless and they itch. Benadryl seems to help.

I do not often develop rashes. There is almost no probability that this is due to poison ivy or poison oak. No new detergents, creams, shampoos, etc have been used recently, and anyway the rash seems localized to my limbs (thankfully) and is not body-wide.

I will see the doctor. But they will hardly prioritize this, and it could be days before I get an appointment. Meanwhile I'd like to do what I can to get rid of the culprit.

It's the body's biggest organ, you know.

pupstocks — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 13:17:15 -0800

Please help me figure out what's going on with my skin. I have either a rash or acne or something on my face and I don't know why or what to do! I've used Dr. Hauschka skincare for years and would like to stick with that if possible, but I am getting desperate. Details and gross skin photos within! So, I am a 32-year-old woman, and I've had really clear skin from when I started using Dr. Hauschka in 2004-5 (so, 7-8 years ago for you math fans) until a few months ago. I used to get a stray pimple or two in relation to my period, but now I have this gross acne/rash/whatever all over one side of my face and in a big patch on the other side. Here are photos if you want to look.

My skincare routine is:
Wash in the morning with Cleansing Milk, spritz with Facial Toner, apply Quince Day Cream

I haven't worn any makeup at all since I started having stye problems (I asked this question about it; I actually had to have one of them removed by a doctor, and I have some other stye-like issues going on -- perhaps they're related?), so I don't put anything else on my face typically. I might sometimes use Toned Day Cream on top of the quince, but usually I don't bother.

At night, I wash again with Cleansing Milk and spritz Facial Toner, then I go to sleep.

Each time I wash my face, I also use this foaming eyelid cleanser on my eyelids only (again, due to my stye issues).

My current skincare routine is informed by phone consults w/Dr. Hauschka folks. They had also suggested a course of Rhythmic Night Conditioner, which I tried over the summer, but it didn't help. I've also used the sensitive version of this before, and I have a box of it I could try, but I'm not confident it's going to do anything for this.

I'm going to graduate school (so I'm super busy) in a rural area two to three hours away from the nearest dermatologist (and I don't have insurance anyway) or Dr. H facialist. I have a drugstore and Walmart nearby and I can buy products online. I really would like to keep using my Hauschka stuff since it used to work so well and it's so expensive (I have a couple of bottles of everything stockpiled)... but I really really really would like my skin to be clear and healthy. I know YANMDr/Derm, but I hope you can help me determine what's going on and what to do!!

Other potentially relevant info... I drink lots of water. I try to eat pretty well, but my diet isn't optimal (see above re: grad school, rural area [this particular rural area is a food desert]). I do try to eat lots of veggies and good stuff, but I'm not super consistent, except with the water. I don't think I'm unusually stressed out. Sleep is ok too. I don't take any prescription medications, but I do take Zyrtec and Prilosec every day and Lactaid when I eat dairy. If you have any questions for me about anything, please ask away! I appreciate you looking at my question and my gross photo and trying to help.

Does Eczema Blanch?

brista — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:27:24 -0800

Do eczema rashes blanch (turn white) when you press them?

Late at night while you're sleepin' poison ivy comes a'creepin'

mittenbex — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 07:47:50 -0800

Help me deal with my poison ivy -- the painful parts not so much the itchy. I have poison ivy all over my legs and knees -- all around where the leg bends. The rash first surfaced last Monday night, was in full swing by Tuesday... has continued to sprout up in several new spots over the past few days.

It blistered, they accidentally broke open. They were oozing pretty badly. The pharmacist gave me an astringent to use as compresses on my legs. They appear to have 'worked' since the blisters are dripping anymore but my skin is now super sore.

I've been taking hot showers and using calamine to soothe the itch. Having no problems with that.

I have just been laying around all weekend hoping that everything would scab up and what not ... but maybe it's really bad?

Some people are like 'Wow you should really go to the doctor' but these are the same people who keep telling me 'It's contagious, it's spreading, you shouldn't use Calamine lotion' etc. which are all wrong.

I don't want to bother calling up the doctor if this is going to get better soon. I know they say it can last 1-3 weeks. I can't imagine spending the next two weeks with my legs feeling like this.

So. 1. YANMD but -- should I go to the doctor?

2. Regardless of if I go to the doctor... it's Sunday afternoon. I've got about 22 hours before I can even get into a doctor's office MINIMUM. Share with me your tips for soothing my raw,blisterty, Poison Ivy rash.

What is this rash?

masters2010 — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 12:01:31 -0800

YANAD, but might you have some insight into this strange rash? I realize you are not a doctor, though I am on the move right now and won't be able to see a dermatologist until next month.

My girlfriend thought the strange rash that she has had since her childhood (before she was sexual active) was not contagious, and therefore failed to mention it to me. This rash presides in her nether regions, and was passed along to me. She said she had it checked out when she was little, though with inconclusive results. It now comes and goes and she pays little attention to it, though it does on occasion bother her.

It originally made itself present in a few places along my pubic region and up towards my stomach. I had it checked out by the university health center, and they too were unsure. They swabbed it and it came back negative for herpes. It then went away, then about a week later one spot appeared next to my belly button. That then went away, and it showed up in one armpit. That then went away, and it came back again in the same armpit. It went away once more, and has since reappeared in the same spot. Apparently this virus likes my armpit.

The rash itself appears as one, or two, or a few red spots. They on occasion though rarely fill with puss, though always blister and leave a sore open wound. It is rather uncomfortable and a bit painful.

Pictures of the current rash can be found here.

Might you have any idea what this is? Is there anything you suggest I do to minimize the discomfort?

Thanks!

name that rash

cejl — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:02:57 -0800

Does my face rash sound like seborrheic dermatitis or atopic eczema? And, what can I do about it while I wait for a derm appointment? Several months ago, I developed a red, flaky, dry rash on my eyelid that gradually circled both my eyes, and more recently, the sides of my nose and mouth. The rash sort of fluctuates between being really flaky then just kind of red and wrinkled.

The strange thing is, my mother developed the exact same thing a few months before I did. Her family doctor says is seborrheic dermatitis. He suggested using dandruff shampoo; she found a mild soap with zinc pyrithione and this cleared her skin up, including her eyes. She gave me some soap, but my skin is more sensitive (can definitely not use it around my eyes) so I can only use it once a day, and it doesn't seem to be clearing up like hers did.

Before the rash spread around my nose and mouth, I saw a doctor, who thought I had atopic eczema, and referred me to a dermatologist (who I see in a month). Atopic eczema and seborrheic dermatitis require different treatments, and I'm not sure what to do while I wait to see the derm! My face is full of these embarrassing red patches that make me only want to leave the house at night! (though I hear that a bit of sun could be helpful and have been trying to do that)

Hydrocortisone (0.5% is all I can get OTC in Canada) helps a bit, but I can't use that on my eyelids for long periods and it's only a stop gate measure, anyways.

So, the internet is full of advice including tea tree oil, coconut oil, ACV, and the list goes on... I'm not really up for too much experimentation on my freaked-out skin, but I thought I'd turn to the more sophisticated MeFites to ask:
-> does what I have sound more like seb dermatitis or atopic eczema?
-> what do you think I should do while I wait to the derm?

quick background - I am a 32 year old female... eat a varied diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, take omega 3 and multivitamins. Moderate exercise. I have mild hormonal acne.

argh, is this seriously possibly typhoid?

thegreatfleecircus — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 13:02:45 -0800

I just returned from a month in a country where Typhoid is common, and I have been feeling really bad for these couple of weeks now, with a sore throat, cough, feverishness, and now lethargy/feelings of severe depression/delirium/confusion for a few days now. Now it looks like I have just developed a rash on my stomach that looks similar to the less-dire images I've seen online. It's been my joke-y diagnosis up until now, but does this rash mean I should go to the ER, or wait until tomorrow and try to see my doctor? I keep putting off going to the doctor, since I can't gather the energy to do much, and my doctor has the distinct tendency to wave off my symptoms if he's in the wrong mood/especially at the end of his work day. But this deep-down depression that is accompanying the lethargy, and the staring off into space and thinking dire thoughts, and occasional frantic delirium, in addition to this rash, etc..... well, I'm getting slightly worried. Frankly, I am using all my wits and composure just to put together this question.

You are not my doctors, but does this sound ER-worthy? I'll hop in a cab and go if the hive mind thinks I should, as I don't totally trust my perspective right now, which is suggesting that quietly expiring sounds relaxing and is totally the way to go.

Many thanks, helpful people.

Do I have heat rash in my lady bits? What do I do?

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 13:18:16 -0800

Embarrassing lady business question. Specifically: heat rash (maybe?) on/in my vulva. For several years now, whenever it gets hot and humid, I become very prone to getting painful areas in the crevasses of my vulva (between the inner and outer lips, for instance, or even on my clitoral hood -- yikes). They feel hot and look red, and hurt mostly only when touched or when they get wet (i.e. in the shower). I pretty much can't wear pants at all in the summer, and for the past year or so, I can't wear them year-round either without this problem happening. I know what a yeast infection feels like, and I don't think this is one, unless it's somehow happening solely on the outside of my vagina. I did show the rash to my gyno last year and she basically shrugged and told me to try diaper rash cream (which I haven't done).

I did see this previous question, which seems similar, though I don't itch, just burn, and my rash is in my vulval folds: http://ask.metafilter.com/182364/Stop-itching-please

Things I already do: Sleep naked; use unscented, dye-free detergents and soap; wear cotton underwear and skirts/loose clothing. Things I haven't tried: cornstarch-based baby powder; anti-fungal creams. My skin already feels irritated and I don't want to irritate it further. (Also, I, um, would like the area to remain nice-tasting. There, I said it.) Anyone have any experience with this? Advice? I have my annual gyno appt. next week but we're in the middle of a heat wave right now so I'd love to do something in the meantime... Thanks.

I want effective, not-dumb-looking motorcycle armor

Camofrog — Wed, 02 May 2012 21:26:18 -0800

Where can I find a full suit of motorcycle body armor that doesn't look like some teenager's idea of motorcycle body armor? Are there simple pull-on pants and jackets that are relatively lightweight and armored at the joints and road-rash resistant everywhere else? And look unridiculous?

Not only can the sun give me cancer, but it can also make me itchy.

Viola — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 06:31:31 -0800

Do you have Polymorphic Light Eruption (PMLE), where your skin breaks into an itchy rash at least once a year when you're out in the sun? How do you deal with it? I've always been fair-skinned and have a family history of skin cancer (sometimes fatal). I take precautions: SPF 40 in the winter, SPF 60 in the summer, long sleeves in the bright sun, big hats, no tanning, and so forth.

I thought I was pretty well-prepared for our honeymoon in Thailand, and was extra careful to slather on the sunscreen every 1-2 hours. I stayed out of the light when possible, but hell, it's Thailand and I'm not going to be a vampire. However, 12 days into our trip, my husband and I went on an afternoon bike tour in Chiang Mai, and hours later I had developed the itchiest, angriest rash on all parts of my skin that had been exposed to the sun.

Research and my dermatologist confirm that I indeed have PMLE, which sounds annoying but less worrisome than my skin cancer risks. It's been over a week and the rash is fading, but still itchy and unattractive. It's been quite a hassle, which is why I'm surprised to discover that an estimated 10% of the population has PMLE! If it's so irritating and occurs annually, how have I never heard of it? I'm also unhappy to learn that this could happen every time I'm out in bright sun from now on, or at least once a year when it starts getting sunny.

My question is this: is it possible that the intense Southeast Asian sunlight triggered an extreme reaction, and now that I'm back in a temperate NYC climate I'm at less of a risk? Or is it that the equatorial sun flipped a switch in my system and now I'll get it each and every summer? Has anyone had a PMLE reaction once and never again? And lastly, if you do have this stupid condition, how do you handle prevention and treatment. None of my methods (cortisone cream, lotion, cold baths, benadryl) did much good, and I had to wait it out while waking up every morning with the sheets streaked in blood because I scratched so vigorously in my sleep. Any advice is welcome.

"A pox o' your throat, you bawling, blasphemous, incharitable dog!"

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:08:31 -0800

Dermatology Filter: what the eff is this rash/acne on my chest that won't go away!? What can I do? I can't afford to see someone unless important... is this important? [warning: links to pictures involve cleavage/bra. NSFW]

I've had this splotchy, looks like acne, rash on my chest for almost 2 weeks. It seems to be spreading up towards my shoulders and arms, as well as across my breasts. I have no idea what to do about it; it's extremely embarrassing, and my current financial/insurance situation makes seeing a doctor about this unlikely unless absolutely necessary.

It's not present anywhere else on my body. I haven't come into contact with any "poison-" plants; I can't believe this is chicken pox. It doesn't itch at all until I come home at night and get ready for bed... where upon I change clothes and feel really hyper-aware of my skin.
I've been blessed with almost no history of acne beyond occasional whiteheads on my nose/chin, so this would be an unprecedented case of acne in an extremely unusual place.

Washing daily didn't help; puncturing (gently!) the whitehead spots and releasing the liquid in them doesn't make them go away.
Leaving it all alone seems to lessen redness but does nothing to slow spread or diminish the population of whitehead-looking spots.

What is this? What can I do?

Help identifying rash on lower back

ke rose ne — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 09:34:44 -0800

In a tropical country, very itchy rash or bite, no doctor for the next few days. Can anyone help identify? Doubt I'm in imminent danger, but maybe knowing what this is would take my mind off the itchiness. I've been in a tropical country for a few weeks and have several bajillion mosquito bites, which is what I assumed this was until I looked at it. It showed up three days ago, it's raised and bumpy, and I guess burns more than itches: Pictures here (sorry about the blurriness, not great at photographing my lower back).

Things that might be relevant:
- I've been taking antibiotics for a few months, with no signs of allergies
- No new soaps, detergents or clothes
- Haven't really walked through a lot of plants
- Was at the beach a few days before it appeared
- There are bugs EVERYWHERE
- All the other bites I have are behaving like normal mosquito bites
- I have cats here who go outside and then cuddle with me (they were treated with Advantage recently)

Also, besides cortisone cream and aloe, is there anything I can do? Thank you!

Get me some ointment, I need an appointment: I got a rash

oceanview — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:34:44 -0800

What is this weird rash on my leg? Pics here I woke up a couple of mornings ago and noticed an itchiness on my thigh. I felt a bump where the itch is and figured a spider bit me. When I looked in the mirror I was shocked--I've never seen a spider bite (or whatever it is) like this before. Kinda looks like the Lyme disease pattern, but with out the "eye" in the "bull's eye". Anyone know what it is and whether I should go to the doctor?

The colour has gotten a bit more intense since the first day. It's only the slightest bit itchy--moreso a little tingly. I'm located in the Pacific Northwest.

Embarrassing underarm problem.

sucre — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:14:44 -0800

I have a problem: persistent underarm fungus. Help me be fungus-free! Back in June, I went to see a NP for a physical exam. I asked her about a pink, itchy armpit rash. She then noticed a small patch on my leg and guessed that I had spread the rash when shaving. She thought it was a fungus that developed due to heat and humidity, and she suggested throwing away my razor, avoiding deodorant temporarily, and applying Lamisil a few times a day. I did these things, and the fungus did eventually go away after a long while (about 2 months). Now it's back, and it's on the other armpit, too. I'm still doing what was suggested, but I'm not seeing any results this time. The patches are still pretty itchy and raised, and they get red and irritated if I rub them too much. Sometimes they are a bit flaky, too.

Here are some photos. They are kind of icky. One photo of each armpit.

Armpit 1 and Armpit 2

Before I begin the long wait to see a dermatologist, any ideas?

YANMD skin condition help

tegna56 — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:45:52 -0800

YANMD, but can you identify this skin...condition? (Pictures included) My mum has had a *rash* show up on the back of one of her arms. She doesn't feel the need to go to the doctor as she has had it for approximately two months without it causing her any stress ( isn't itchy, irritating, doesn't sting when you touch it etc). However whenever I look at it, I am so alarmed by the sight that I feel it should be at least checked out? Obviously I can't google an image, so I was wondering if anyone could identify the condition from the pictures below so we can find out if this needs to be investigated further.

There should be a total of three photos. Apologies in advance for the crappy quality.

Revenge of the crab: rashes and their treatment

jquinby — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:31:35 -0800

How long can I expect to enjoy my new seafood-related rash and is there anything I can do to speed this up? I tried soft shell crab for the first time the other day and woke up the next morning with an all-over rash. I look sunburnt. The odd thing is that I've had no other symptoms. No upset stomach, tingling, difficulty breathing or any of the really scary allergy signs.

It really doesn't even itch that much except in occasional HOLY SHIT waves of pinpricks. Benadryl at night helps, but I'm interested in hearing about anything else to try (I came across a reference to vitamin C) or how long this might last. You are not my doctor, I get it. This is just really annoying.

Bed bugs or rash from sunscreen?

arniec — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:16:17 -0800

YANMD but need help--is this bedbugs? Can a prompt care tell? And if so what do we do? We are traveling and have been for 6 days. Yesterday I noticed a rash on my wife's lower legs from ankle to knee. I noticed it mid day and not earlier in the day (and I was looking at her lower legs due to terrible blisters she got from walking).

As the day went on these seemed to get worse. Her legs swelled and took on a mottled appearance. When she woke up though it was back to the red spots.

A picture of the spots is here: http://t.co/j3j9Ryh

Another photo with flash on: http://t.co/BqCxL0f

These don't itch and don't feel raised. But we are returning home today an our big fear is bedbugs. We don't want to bring them into our home.

We are thinking of going to a Prompt Care in the area to have them look but google says diagnosis is hard if we didn't see the bugs. Also I have no spots but google says they could take 9 days to show up

Advice on what to do to keep bed bugs out of our house would be appreciated!

What's this rash on my nose?

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 08:10:37 -0800

What's this thing on the bridge of my nose and? Some sort of rash? A fungal infection? How do I get rid of it? It's been there for a couple of months. I can brush the flecks of skin away but the area stays reddish and they grow back in a couple of days.