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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What on Earth has happened to DD back?

114 replies

Icancount · 09/02/2021 19:25

DD is 15 and currently boarding at school since January. She said yesterday she had a "sore bit " on her back. I said could she manage until she comes home on Friday, and put some E45 cream on it in the meantime.

Today she sent me this photo. Shock.
I have alerted school, and they are contacting the local gp tomorrow.

But has anyone got any thoughts?

Thank you.

What on Earth has happened to DD back?
OP posts:
Sacreblue · 09/02/2021 19:53

The bra strap will be tighter against the skin and aggravate any irritation, throw in scratching said irritation and it could well look like that.

I have a bra top that irritates around the hook/eye/label section after a while, I’m also sensitive to some cleaning agents.

Obviously she needs to get the existing irritation seen but after that some fixes I’ve used are loose vest under bra top (I don’t want to throw it out Blush ), giving washing an extra rinse cycle, washing hair with head bent forward (so suds don’t run down back) and trying different cleaning agents to find one that works for me.

Horrible place to have an itch though and because its out of vision mostly, it’s so much easier to scratch to point of breaking skin, which of course makes it worse.

Hopefully the staff have helped her with cream/calamine until she can be seen by Dr and get it properly assessed.

idontlikealdi · 09/02/2021 19:58

Looks like a bruise and a graze.

Clutching at straws - snowball fight and dint realise she had hurt herself or a fall on redgra it Astro turf?

Original poster
Icancount · 09/02/2021 20:03

Unlikely to be sex related! Although I can see the similarities!!
DD is autistic, so won't necessarily associate scratching an itch with making it worse.
I reckon it's washing powder - she normally weekly boards so brings her washing home.
But wouldn't she have more rashes all over her if it was that?

OP posts:
IAmongstTheWorld · 09/02/2021 20:07

Unlikely to be shingles as it's on both sides - shingles is normally restricted to left or right side only, it does look different too, but can start itching before the rash comes.

Has she been playing sport? Is it heat rash maybe?

SpudsandGravy · 09/02/2021 20:09

I can't see how it would be a graze because the scratches underneath go in a completely different direction from those on top.

Very odd!

AuditAngel · 09/02/2021 20:15

Does she have a birth mark on her back? There is an area that looks darker pigment.

I think it might be a combination of a washing powder allergy exacerbated by getting sweaty and the sweat collecting in the bra strap and irritating even more, which she has then scratched,

Godimabitch · 09/02/2021 20:15

A rash from washing powder could well be worse along her bra strap because its tight and abrasive, whereas her other clothes are lose fitting. Could she wear a crop top like bra for a bit to let it settle?

Chewbecca · 09/02/2021 20:21

When I changed washing powder, DS only reacted round the waistband so quite feasible a small reaction.

WaxOnFeckOff · 09/02/2021 20:23

I thought it looked like stretch marks if you ignore the weird markings from the dressing. Has she taken up using weights or swimming or going through a growth spurt?

Impeachtheplum · 09/02/2021 20:24

Stretch marks? Rapid growth maybe?

MerryChristmasToYou · 09/02/2021 20:24

Could it be a reaction to the fastening on her bra that she has then scratched at?

Mellonsprite · 09/02/2021 20:28

What has caused the bruise?? Has she fell?
It is possible she’s been in a fight and doesn’t want to tell you?

Twiceaday · 09/02/2021 20:34

I had something similar to this on my back. It was an area of chronic irritation from the label on the inside of my bras rubbing the skin. I had it for months until I realised was it was. Once I cut all the labels out of my bras it cleared up.

Dentistlakes · 09/02/2021 20:34

Looks like a couple of grazes, but it’s strange they are in opposite directions. I don’t think they are scratches from her scratching herself; the angles look wrong. I would be wondering if perhaps someone has pushed her into something? That might account for what looks like bruising? Hopefully the school will get to the bottom of it.

Emmelina · 09/02/2021 20:35

That’s quite a nasty bruise, she must have bashed herself on something somehow. Maybe astroturf or something as others have suggested as that would explain the grazes too. Brushed it off at the time but this was the result?

CaraDuneRedux · 09/02/2021 20:35

Looks like two separate issues to me, OP. The area of different pigmentation - some sort of allergic reaction, perhaps? Then scratches over the top, probably self-inflicted because it's been itching like the devil. (Then of course the puckering round the edges where the plaster's been, but that's not important).

Theimpossiblegirl · 09/02/2021 20:35

Has she been working out? Dd had bruises on her spine from sit ups without a mat. Add an irritating bra and this could be similar.

im5050 · 09/02/2021 20:39

I came up with a really itchy rash a few weeks ago
eurax cream £5 on Amazon is amazing stuff
Literally as soon as I put it on itch stoped and the rash was gone in 2-3 days
No idea what it was but highly recommend the cream

Picklypickles · 09/02/2021 20:39

Could be a reaction to metal in the hooks maybe, I have horrible allergic reactions to anything metal sitting on my skin that causes horrendous itching. I can't wear anything with metal buttons or fastenings, or jewellery :-(

TwinklyLaughNot · 09/02/2021 20:43

As PP have said, there's bruising! That's not washing powder!

Bisquiteen · 09/02/2021 20:45

I’m wondering if she’s reacting to the plaster now in addition to the original itchy patch? Looks as though the marks from that might also become sore. I react badly to plasters too and that’s how it starts out. I hope the school matron can sort it out for her.

NoKingDingaLingTitsInAbsentia · 09/02/2021 20:48

I'm sorry but I think something has happened and she doesn't want to tell you. Even if those scratches were from bra hooks that would have to be some deliberate movement of them.

BungleandGeorge · 09/02/2021 20:49

@Icancount

Unlikely to be sex related! Although I can see the similarities!! DD is autistic, so won't necessarily associate scratching an itch with making it worse. I reckon it's washing powder - she normally weekly boards so brings her washing home. But wouldn't she have more rashes all over her if it was that?
Yes you’d expect an allergy to washing powder to show up everywhere in contact with the clothing and none of face, hands etc. They’re not that common with modern washing machines as they rinse really well. I have eczema and frequently wake with scratches that I’ve done in the night. I wonder if she’s slid on something and her bra has given her a friction burn. Or she’s allergic to the metal clasp
JassyRadlett · 09/02/2021 20:51

I get dermatitis if my socks accidentally go in with bio laundry powder. But only on my ankles, and always both ankles.

Could it be a sports bra/crop top and then she’s scratched it? When I’ve had bad eczema I’ve scratched it in my sleep so badly it took months for the scars to fade.

Happyhappyday · 09/02/2021 20:55

If you look at how the lines are, she’s scratched herself, try scratching your back there and your nail marks would go that way too.