To just rip my skin off?

[TootYourOwnHorn]

But seriously, this rash is driving me potty. I've had it flare up before and was prescribed steroids and antifungals. The antifungals did nothing and the steroids made it worse. What is it? It's so itchy and keeps me up at night, I can't wear a bra. Nothing seems to be giving me any relief with it. It's on top of my breasts and I haven't been sweaty so don't think it's a sweat rash.

Have you tried non medicated calming creams like E45 ? And avoid soap/body wash etc. Just water.

Don't know what it is but have you tried antihistamines for some sort term relief

I get regular urticaria and find that some work and some don't

could it be scabies.

Is there a skin specialist with your gp? Just because two of my kids get rashes, one viral related the other eczema related. We were treating the viral one our usual way- antihistamines, lipikar wash and moogoo irritable skin cream and it was actually a viral infection. The gp didn’t even know until he called the gp that specialises in it.

@MrsElsa I've just got some cetraben so perhaps that will help!

@OneTC I tried piriton but perhaps another one might work better.

@changedusername190 isn't that contagious? No one else in the house has anything. What would the treatment be? I'm willing to try anything.

there is a dandruff shampoo called Nizoral or something like that comes in a pink and white bottle, when I had nasty rash on my breasts my doctor told me to buy it and after using so many creams, changing washing powder, soaps etc to no avail this worked straight away

@stayathomer I'm not sure! The doctors have changed so much recently, I'll have to try again. I didn't consider viral infection! What was the treatment for that?

@Twins3007 brilliant thank you, I'll order some now!

I get on best with benadryl (acrivastine) not the 24hr one.

Hope you get some relief, constant itching is maddening

@OneTC thank you, I'll grab some today. It really drives you up the wall. You try not to scratch because it's so sore if you do but it's so hard not to

I think you use it like once a day for first week then once a week

TootYourOwnHorn
it was essentially just let it play out with the help of conventional- don’t- know- if-this-will-work type medecine- so what you’d do with a cold really, rest, keeping hydrated etc

@stayathomer the joys of viruses, I'll make sure I do all the usual then. Thanks

By the way someone mentioned scabies, try and figure out if it is quickly- very contagious and can cause long term damage to you. We once thought something was scabies, they fast tracked us in the gp because it’s very treatable but has to be caught (disclaimer: I have no idea what the outward appearance is, someone mentioned it and we took a shot in the dark as the rash was nasty)

edited to add best of luck with it all op x

I second Acrivastine! It’s the only thing that does anything for my insanely itchy hives and rashes that my allergies give me.

Ice packs as much as you can (wrapped in a towel or similar so you don’t get ice burn).

Have you worn a new bra recently? It looks how my contact dermatitis often looks

Eumovate cream can relieve itching really well, but won't treat the cause.

I'd definitely get on top of antihistamines to at least rule out an allergic type reaction. Start with simple cetirizine or loratadine, which are once daily. Pp also mentioned Benadryl Acrivastine,

Fexofenadine is a good one too, higher doses need a prescription though.

What antifungal were you given? Again, different types work better than others.

@cherryassam yes I have! I bought new bras a couple of weeks ago. Funnily enough someone said dermatitis when they saw it in real life. I didn't even think of that. I bet that's what it is.

Yes! I had similar when my skin took against a lacy appliqué on a new bra - I think it was the dye used maybe? If you hadn’t washed them, I would give them a wash and see maybe but I wouldn’t wear them again until your skin is sorted out.

I would try some hydrocortisone on it - or see if your GP will prescribe a topical corticosteroid for a short period of time. This should help calm down the inflammation.

When my skin flares like this, I have to use an emollient rather than soap / shower wash. As my GP explained to me, when the skin barrier is disrupted - everything is more irritating and things that usually wouldn’t do anything to your skin can send it wild.

It looks like https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polymorphic-light-eruption/ this to me

I once developed an allergy … from nowhere to Surf. Got a horrid rash, didn’t know it was the Surf as we had been using it for years. Eventually worked it out, but not until 2 trips to the Drs and various potions!
I’m a Fairy only girl now.

Allergies can just appear

I always get a very itchy rash like that,chest area, if I get any sort of spray on me then get sunlight on it. Deodorant, body spray,fly spray anything that's aerosol based. Antihistamines, Lanacane, Eurax and Betnovate,a combination of all if necessary in rotation. Calamine at night if needed. I've sat and cried at the itching many a time.

@cherryassam that would definitely make sense, they were quite dark colours too so perhaps the dye was the issue. I've taken to wearing no bra at the moment and just hiding away instead 
Thank you, I'll definitely try these. Fingers crossed I'm not called 50 tomorrow for the GP!

@HousedInMySoul it does look like that! Although I've had no sunlight on that area. I wonder if it could be referred from sunlight elsewhere on the body.

@ExtraOnions maybe I'll try changing some products then, maybe try some hypoallergenic things instead.

@Snazzysausage I absolutely could cry, I get that. I'll try those, thank you

Have you tried changing your laundry powder/liquid and softener? We can't use Bold for example, it makes both me and my husband itch and brings up a rash like that one. Might be worth experimenting with different brands, and try switching to non bio.

Try surcare for washing clothes.
We stopped using all fabric conditioner and instead use white vinegar. It works and stopped the dermatitis DH had.

It looks like heat rash but if it is antihistamine should help.

I'd definitely go gp or chemist for advise.