Rash driving me utterly mad - any ideas what it might be as I await referral to dermatology??

[PunishmentRoundupWithJoon]

I have a rash and it's driving me crazy. It started around armpits and has now spread down arms, past elbow and it also on my side, over ribs and on my back.

First GP said it was fungal, gave Canesten HC. That didn't work but did sting when applied. Went to Urgent Care last week as utterly desperate and doctor prescribed steroids as rash was inflamed and spongy.

Saw a GP yesterday for follow up after Urgent Care and she was clueless. She took photos and said she would submit them to dermatology for 'urgent review'.

I have been taking 3 180mg Fexofenadine every day (Urgent Care doc said it was ok, given intensity of itching) but I swear they are making barely any difference. I am using Eurax, Germolene (for anaesthetic effect) and Vagisil (for lidocaine) and the itching is still making me want to scratch my skin off.

Does anyone have any ideas what this might be? It's hot to the touch, and i can feel it burning even as I sit here.

Yes, I am "asking strangers on the internet"! Though not as an alternative to seeking medical treatment.

I'm wondering if it's infected, though surely 2nd GP would have suggested this?

I feel well enough in myself, just utterly frenzied with the itch.

Thanks in advance!

Shingles?

I’d consider changing your washing powder, Shower gel / soap when washing. Even change your deodorant. Have you changed brands of personal products etc?

I’d take a diary of all food
Moved to a different area recently? It can be trees ,food, pets or anything if allergy. Or started new medication? Moved into a new home?

Try and work out if anything has changed since the last time your skin was ok.

Try dermol can even wash with the stuff - can stop the itch. Bio oil has helped too. Stop using fancy soaps (they put far too many other chemicals in) and go back to basics for a bit. Sudocrem can stop the itch so can zeroderm.

Mitchum deodorant got a recall if I remember correctly for making being burn / itch under the arm pit.

post a pic? Is the skin open for itching or not?

Wear cotton t shirts / blouses tops too. Nothing else for the moment

Have you been particularly stressed? Sometimes it comes out as a rash.

Are you pregnant?

Did it start with a singular patch? Could it be Pityriasis rosea?
that usually starts around those areas, spreads, itches, looks bad! Hangs around for weeks then suddenly disappears!

Can you get some hydrocortisone? It will ease itch until you are seen.

Scabies? Unbelievably itchy and doesn’t always present as it does in the textbook. You can buy treatment from any pharmacy.

Have you been ill recently? I had a post-viral rash that was horrendous.

Wild stab in the dark here and no medical knowledge whatsoever, but could it be a post-viral itchy rash that is now being made worse because you are allergic to an ingredient such as lanolin in one of the creams you are using to soothe it.

Atoderm SOS itch relief spray may help a bit. I suffered dreadfully with eczema for six months a few years ago, and tried everything the chemist had on the shelf. My best cream was Balneum Plus, which is urea based and contains an ingredient that relieves the itching.

Good luck with dermatology but be aware that its under stress and very stretched in almost every hospital.

I mean it could be anything.

You need to stop putting so many different creams on it. It’s probably irritating it and making it worse. Dermol is a good shout as above, it’s soap free. I had an allergic reaction recently and it was very sore and rashy. I washed with dermol and used as a moisturiser regularly through the day. It’s got anti bacterial properties too.

Try one thing at a time to see what helps.

Anti histamines for the itch.
Cotton clothes: assess anything new? soaps/washing powder/moisturiser/food

scabies is increasing so that’s a good shout tho i think eurax sorts that and you’ve been using it?

Did the gp not advise anything else at all?

My dad waited months for an urgent derm review and this is after a year waiting on the normal wait list.

Picture would be helpful

Do you have a photo?
Were all those creams recommended? Wondering if skin getting additionally sensitive.
Have you tried any other antihistamines?

Have you tried a pharmacist? They can be very helpful.

@needtochangesmokealarm - have considered washing powder, am using the same as ever. Asda non-bio. And doing everything on an extra rinse.

I always use Oilatum or Cetraben when washing as have very dry skin anyway. Never use shower gels or soaps. No deodorant for weeks and before that was Pit Roc. Have bought Asda nappy cream as recently threw old Sudocrem out! It's definitely not heping with the itch, but a bit of a barrier on the slightly open patch on thigh.

GP took pics but in the special app she opened so they are not on my phone, I'll try download them from my Patient Access.

No new home, no new food. Though am questioning everything! Started eating orange lollies from Aldi and am suspicious of them now!!

I had a similar rash,all under my arms,down my side's to my hips and along my belly. Sort of looked like ringworm.
I went to the Dr and he got me to try this shampoo,that you put on and leave for 5\10 minutes then showed off. It's called ketoconazole and you can pick it up at Boots.
rash has subsided,no more itchiness.

QV wash is a non soap and I find it better use it as a “shower gel and also to wash hair” (they also do cream too) might be worth a try it’s a non soap product.

Good luck itching is not nice. Also, you can try different types on anti histamines - one different type might work better for you.

zero derm is like a thick oil grease you might want to try it on your legs you should be able to get that prescribed if in the uk. Or Centraban is another good one which can be calming.

Hope you feel better soon

Another wild stab in the dark - covid can cause an itchy rash and you can have it without other symptoms.

@Worriedmummy1244 - no, definitely not pregnant. I'm 57, so am obviously wondering if it's related to menopause? I know that can cause all kinds of issues with the body. I'm really clutching at straws here - so desperate!

@Shedmistress - a few weeks ago I had a much smaller rash and the GP prescribed anti-virals so I guess if it was shingles that may have helped? In the event, the anti virals made no difference at all. It's not painful as such. And it's on both sides of body not just one. Don't know much about shingles but thought it only affected one side?

@Inlimboin50s - yes, I have that shampoo, Nizoral. I used it when the first GP told me it was fungal. Have continued to use it but so far, no change. It was actually ringworm that doctor put on my notes - was awful to see, it sounds horrible! But obviously it's just a fungal issue. No fungal cream has worked so far.

@NewLeafAgain - Eurax was recommended by the Urgent Care doctor. I figured Germolene wouldn't hurt as it's for sore skin.

Just bought some cetirazine and loratadine so will try those!

Thanks, everyone, for your replies.

@needtochangesmokealarm - am using Cetraben to wash with at the moment, Doc said to use something bland like that..

Aqueous cream is often recommended by dermatology for cleansing. It's a water based cream.

Starting under armpits suggests it may be an allergic reaction to an antiperspirant. Once an allergic rash starts it can be very difficult to get rid of it. Maybe try piriton in a larger than normal dose if you dont work weekends. You might also want to try changing soap powder. Persil is approved by the British Skin Foundation and Fairy is also one of the less allergenic brands.

You might also want to get a test for Helicobacter pylori as that can cause hard to treat rashes and one for coeliac disease in case its dermatitis herpetiformis.

My daughter ( age 41) has been the same for 8 months.. been given loads of creams and medication.. now she's finally been referred to dermatology.. looking like it could be Mcas.
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