Rapidly spreading skin infection under arm. Help. (Photo warning)

[Nc809173]

Hi all

I have seen the GP twice.
5 days ago I had this rash under my arm. Went to pharmacy who advised GP. The GP rang me and prescribed antibiotic cream which did nothing and it has spread even further and gotten worse. I went to the see the GP today who only glanced at it. He did however give me oral antibiotics and more antibiotic cream, he didn't know what it actually was though.

My concern is this; since this morning (I photographed it) it has spread upwards and downwards and I think on my arm too. I also now have a 'spot' on my side, near where my bra sits.

There is no tracking of redness but this rash thing is definitely spreading. I feel pretty rotten and run down too.

I have started ABs and put cream on. My question is, do I wait and see and take the medication or do I go back before? It's the spreading that's worrying me.

Sorry for the photos. I included the before from 5 days ago.

Thanks all

I would go to the hospital for this: because it’s spreading and you feel like shit.

Really? @FlatErica I feel like they'd say I was a timewaster going for a rash :/ I will consider it though. It's very painful.

Get some canesten, honestly. It's fungal not in need of antibiotics. I get it under my breasts. Slather it on!

Or daktarin athletes foot cream extra strength. Whichever you go for, get the strongest.
If you can apply a couple of times this evening it should start looking better by the morning.
Obviously no deodorant etc.
I couldn't even think about wearing a bra and washing and drying was painful.

This. Also you can get some Nizoral from a pharmacy and wash it with that to clear it up as well as the canesten. Keep on treating it for a few days after its cleared up too to make sure its gone

Get some inexpensive bite cream on it that contains hydrocortisone cream.

It looks like hot tub rash, you don’t have to actually use a hot tub to get it!

It's a type of foliculitis. So random my dermatologist didn't know what it was but said try canesten. I found a name by Google image searching.
Long term - 2 months antibiotics will clear it. I've had similar on my back which I just though was a rash or spots all over. But anti fungal cream sorted it. Apparently armpits, under breasts, between bum cheeks is it's favourite locations 😭

is it shingles?

I've also had that and it was fungal. I ended up needing a strong prescription anti fungal tablet to get rid of it.

Defo fungal. Daktarin will sort that right out x

You must go to get this seen It could be shingles which is very painful and a virus so it won’t respond to antibiotics

This could well be shingles, especially if you feel like poop.

Do you have a fever?

I would phone NHS111 and offer to upload the pics. Ask them how they know it's not Shingles.

Second shingles esp as its only on one side. I've just had shingles and some of the blisters were under my arm. Your local pharmacist can diagnose, and prescribe antivirals.

No my temp is 37

I have been quite unwell recently. I looked at some pictures and it could be Shingles spread like this?

I am on biologics for Asthma which alters my immune system so a bit concerned now. :/

I should also say I have anti fungal cream. Completely forgot to include in OP sorry!

It's shingles, get a course of Acicloivir. Keep the area dry, do not shower or spray. Keep away from vulnerable people and sleep ALOT

Looks like shingles especially where it’s spreading to. The faster you get diagnosed and get aciclovir the better. Makes sense how you feel so unwell too.

I'm not a medical person but it certainly looks fungal to me too.

On second thoughts agree it could be shingles. Go back to your GP

Sorry to drop feed

My eyes are also like this which I thought was viral (optician also confirmed mild inflammation and viral too) but Google does seem to suggest shingles now.

Do I ring 111

111 and you will be told that you need treatment within 2 hours. Do not be vague with symptoms this is a shingles rash

I think it's Shingles too. Antiviral ASAP.
I think your eyes are like that because you're feeling so rubbish; the only time I would be worried is if your Shingles were around the eye area and therefore possibly affecting the optic nerve, but it's in a completely different area.
Poor you, if it's Shingles, it can make you feel horribly unwell.
I'd phone 111.

I would get to an eye clinic too as my mum’s shingles spread to her eyes. She needed drops immediately. Even a decent opticians would do just ask them to measure the pressure in your eyes. Maybe your A&E have an eye clinic - ours does.

I’d want uveitis ruled out. I’m on immunosuppressants and have been on biologics and I feel as though red eyes is on the list that needs checking out.