What is this red patch?

[DottyMacaroon]

First pic is from a week ago and second is from today.

its itchy, so I’ve been using hydrocortisone for the past few days but it has got bigger and redder. not raised.

I would like to avoid a doctors visit (hard to get, busy, the usual)

it’s on my arm close to my armpit. I do get sweaty there so assume it’s related. But not sure how to treat if hydrocortisone isn’t working? Do I try canesten? Just keep it clean and dry with talc?

I’d try canestan. I get a fungal patch like that from time to time when I’m a bit run down. You could always ask the pharmacist to have a look if you aren’t sure.

Thank you. I did wonder if it may be fungal. Hopefully it helps!

i am under a lot of stress at the moment and it just feels like one thing after another at the moment.

Is it hot at all? Just with you saying it's redder it could be infected.

Id suggest asking a pharmacist.

Is this somewhere that could be rubbing? I get a similar looking patch on my side where my arm rubs when I'm exercising. But it's just sore not itchy so I'd get this looked at by the pharmacist

Looks fungal to me. It's starting to get less red in the middle - so called 'central clearing'. Buy some canastan.

It looks like it has been rubbing in something, maybe the end of your bra underwire?

Did you have a small mole there previously?

No, I don’t recall a mole there.

not sure if it’s rubbing on my bra. I don’t think it’s in quite the right place. Thank you @StewardsEnquiry i will Google what that means!

Please get it checked out. There's a tiny chance it might be a melanoma and if it is, the armpit is not a good place for cancer to be growing as it is too close to the lymph nodes. It's worth the inconvenience.

Thank you I will.

Why on earth are people suggesting that OP should consult a pharmacist? If this needs checking then it needs checking by a doctor, in the first instance. Pharmacists are for medication.

@LeakyPipes - some pharmacists deal with minor skin complaints. I filled in an online consultation about a rash a few months ago and my GP surgery told me to see a pharmacist for consult.

OP, my rash started like yours and was a fungal infection.

Thank you @Icannoteven

used canesten and it reduced the itching almost immediately (although it doesn’t last)

will continue over the weekend and see how it is next week, will seek medical advice if no improvement.

Just to update should anyone need help in the future for something similar; I switched to a stronger steroid cream at canesten wasn’t doing much. The patch is no longer bright red and the itchiness has gone, so hopefully it’ll disappear in a couple of days.