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!

@gamerchick = washing powder hasn't changed. Well, I say it hasn't changed; the packaging has changed but not sure how to find out if the formulation has changed. It's Asda non=biological. Have been using for years with no issues at all. I used to use Persil non-bio but Asda's was cheaper!

Wondering who I can contact to see if the formulation has changed. But even then, it doesn't explain why the itching is so much worse at night.

It's so confusing!

If anyone happens to have Asda non bio in the old packaging, Id be really appreciative if you could look at the ingredients list 😍I've just taken a pic of the box I have here, so will post it soon, in case anyone can see anything concerning. Actually, there is a bit that says Optical Brighteners and Perfumes! That could well have been on the old box, but never had cause to check it as had no issues.

@davidleo and the others who have mentioned scabies - I've considered this but no idea where I would have picked it up from. Not slept anywhere other than home or had close contact with anyone. Also, it's not on my hands or feet and there are no lines. It's just a mass of red.

This is probably not what what is causing your rash, but i thought i would mention it - years ago my dog nearly died from a shampooing incident. We were refererred to dermatologists at the Royal Veterinary college who eventually worked out that he was allergic to opened bottles ie bacteria growing in them because the seal was broken and air etc was getting in. .
It wasn't the ingredients per se that were the problem. My younger daughter has bad reactions to older cosmetics, skin products too. It is unusual but apparently does happen.

@Arran2024 - useful info, thank you. There is a bit of mould in my bathroom, so who knows if it's got into the bottles? Just opened a new bottle or Oilatum and for time being will keep it just outside the bathroom and am going to open a new shampoo! Thank you - I welcome all ideas at the moment.

I definitely don't think they should be making you wait for a dermatology referral if it is a fungal rash! Derm referrals can take ages.

Have a read through this:

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/fungal-skin-infection-body-groin/

E.g. this section is very clear that while you wouldn't usually need to do a skin sample in primary care, they might need to in unusual circumstances:

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/fungal-skin-infection-body-groin/diagnosis/assessment/

Obviously you haven't posted any photos so I don't know if it gives "fungal vibes" for want of a better description, but it not responding to topical clotrimazole doesn't tell you it isn't fungal I would say.

Menopause/peri menopause ..hormonal?

OP, I am prone to sudden mystery rashes and Eurax and steroid creams make them without a doubt worse. Getting them wetter seems to anger and inflame them.

I also find fexofenadine useless. I had fleas everywhere not long ago and the chemist said old fashioned Piriton was the best for skin.

Mine was worse at night and that is linked to histamine/cortisol levels dropping at night.

Do you have welt markings from scratching?

@karinahh - not specifically, no, but skin is sore from scratching. I try my damndest not to but it's almost impossible.

@Piggywaspushed - will look into piriton, thanks. It's ironic but fexofenadine used to be great for itching. That's why I got it in the first place, as I'd get a rash all over my body when rushing about and stressed. Worked so well, but for this....it does bugger all.

@Ineffable23 thanks for the links, will have a look at them. Have a telephone dermatology appointment on Friday, they should have the photos that the GP took. Hopefully that will lead to a face to face as I can't see that a telephone consult will be particularly useful.

Was coming to recommend piriton (or chlorphenamine - unbranded) for skin, but seen someone has already. I'd maybe try something like dermacool cream if the rash feels warm can pick up or order in at most pharmacy's and dermol lotion which can be used for washing but also as a moisturiser, it has antimicrobial in it so can help reduce infection. Moisturisers do need to be applied multiple times a day for bad dry skin conditions ideally four or more.

Could you wear cotton gloves at night to prevent scratching when you don't realise?

@DeathMetalMum - hanks, yes, am going to look into piriton today. Am using Cetraben for washing and then moisturising. I'm wary of anything now, even the blandest lotions! Have heard of Dermol.

I have cotton gloves so will consider wearing them. In actual fact, I don't think much damage occurs whilst asleep as the antihistamines are knocking me out. It's when I'm awake and after 5 minutes in bed the itch starts up. Probably need to sleep standing up, outside on the balcony...

Thank you 🙂

Piriton has definitely helped me.

Have bought some Piriton, well, the generic version. Fingers crossed. It's definitely spreading and now have some on the side of my left breast, and under it. Really hope Friday's appointment is some use!

Without seeing pictures, it sounds like Intertrigo

Sorry if this was mentioned earlier but did you go swimming or been in a hot tub recently? Could be folliculitis which is not pleasant!

Its really difficult to help without a photo...is it diffuse, ie all over the affected areas, ( possible Hives, although that tends to affect abdomen and back, diffusely), in 'tracks' ( possible bedbugs), over a specific area ( possible shingles)
It sounds like you're applying so many treatments, all at once, almost, that it's hard to work out if one discrete treatment is working, but I do hear your desperation.
Did you get oral steroids, last week? Or was it topical, ie cream to apply to affected area?
Scabies can cause insane itching ...but from your description and presentation it sounds like Pityriasis Rosea. Poor old you.

@MindfulSis - no, no hot tubs, saunas or anything like that. No swimming or public changing rooms.

I’d suggest impetiginised eczema or cellulitis?

@Oneearringlost - Have been trying to access the photos on my patient access account but can't seem to. It's impossible for me to get a proper pic really due to the angles.

Oral steroids were for 5 days and finished Tuesday 12th May. They were given a surgent care doc said it was inflamed. He didn't think it was fungal. The steroids MAY have helped a bit. Possibly. Though it's right back to where it was now.

The antibiotics that the latest urgent care doc prescribed have made no difference either, though if there WAS an infection, no doubt they helped a bit.

Initially it was the anti fungal cream - didn't seem to help. Steroid cream hasn't helped either.

I am just dosing up on antihistamines at the moment and keeping it clean.

Thanks for your input - it helps just to put it all down here!

Am trying to add an image but it won't let me.

This is the rash on my side.==

@PunishmentRoundupWithJoon Do you have a leather sofa?

This is my right arm.

Apologies for terrible editing, I've only just found out how to use these tools.