Really need any help I can get, I'm in agony with my skin

[hopesaysnope]

It's so painful. GP keeps fobbing me off and saying it's dry skin. I've been twice

It gets so tight. At first it appears shiny. The itching from it feels like I'm crawling alive. Then the pain comes a day later and it's so restricted that I can't even move properly with the pain

It's horrific.

Please, if you have any ideas, please say

The skin goes shiny and dark, then peels away it's on my groin, mon pubis, creases and tops of my thighs

Thank you

X

Have you asked for a derm appt op? That sounds awful x

@catfunk I have, he said there really is no need and he said these type of things usually just go away

Ask him to swab and get it tested. I had staph aureus and it felt similar.

Thank you. I think I might have to try a different GP. It's just that when I finally get through, they always say he's the only slot left

I can't imagine in a million years that's just dry skin. If the GP insists their treatment is the right one, ask for a dermatology referral as PP suggested.
You shouldn't have to put up with it - it looks really sore.
I'm sorry you've had no real help with it.

Thank you

I've had a 4th degree tear from labour before and the pain of that didn't cause this much irritation. It's horrible

Some kind of fungal infection that needs treatment would be my guess.

Make an appt with a different doctor and book ahead so you can't be fobbed off. Then ask for a dermatology referral and insist upon it. Tell him/her it's unbearable and you can't bear it any longer. Nobody should have to put it with that.

You poor thing. Agree you need to push for a dermatology referral.

In the meantime I'd talk to a pharmacist - there might be something topical you can get OTC to help.

The GP has obviously never suffered the pain I'm of something like this. I have a couple of variations of psoriasis and initially I thought yours might be this, but looking more closely I don't think so. I find the affected skin in folds becomes bright red and shiny, where yours is almost like a severe sunburn effect. I would ask a different GP for a referral to Dermatology. For obtaining relief from the pain I'd apply olive oil often. It really helps with the shedding, and flexibility. Sometimes I use hydrocolloid dressings to get me over particularly sore times when my skin can develop splits. They keep the moisture in and are a life saver for me. It's like applying a new layer of skin. I get my dressings on prescription having found out about them from scouring the internet searching for help in desperation. I use duoderm ultra thin. Good luck op, I feel your pain.

To clarify, I'm suggesting oil as it won't sting in the way water based creams might.

@otherbookmarks thank you. Sorry you've been enduring similar stuff

I too get splits. That's the worst part actually as they bloody sting and they're in the folds! But the splits are always on my groin area and luckily don't reach the creases etc

Definitely get a second opinion from a different GP.

But, in the meantime, go to your local pharmacy and ask to speak to the pharmacist in private.

I had what the GP said was recurring thrush and it was my pharmacist who, in the end, diagnosed it and I was able to buy treatment over the counter.

I always though fungal things presented as kind of moist and claggy rashes but I have had fungal infections on my hands that presented as very dry cracked skin that steroid creams for eczema didn't work on.

The duoderm will definitely help with the splits. The gel fills the wound and the top layer stretches like your skin which means you can turn over in bed without being in agony. I should have said that although I get mine on prescription you can also buy them over the counter. I've tried others but duoderm is the only one I found that reacts like a layer of skin once applied. In the short term try the oil though - it won't damage anything and should soothe it.

How's your skin OP? Hope you've found some relief.

GPs are rubbish with dermatology IME. DH was diagnosed with fungal infection and eczema before going private and getting a rosacea diagnosis. Ask for a referral or a GP who actually has an interest in/aptitude for skin conditions.