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

Did you tell the out of hours doc that you are on biologics? I always start with "hi i think i have x illness and im worried as im on biologics' usually prompts a reaction. I would also contact your consultant helpline if you have one? Hope you feel better soon. Someone on immunosuppressive drugs with red eyes and a spreading rash should not be ignored.

Came back to add that antivirals worked quickly for me in halting the spread of the rash.

In that case A&E. If you go through 111 they might be able to pre-book you an appointment in urgent care which will cut down the time sat waiting.

I think someone should see it, preferably a doctor rather than a pharmacist. You said the GP only "glanced" at it today.

A&E is not fun, but immune suppression puts this into a different category.
DO NOT WORRY about being called a time-waster. This is your health.

Your poor eyes. Hope you get some help soon ❤️

Poor you - get well soon!

I also think possible shingles given that you have been very unwell, say that you feel currently unwell, and have been on an immune suppressant treatment. (The rash pattern on one side of the body and spreading diagonally is also characteristic of shingles.) You need immediate oral aciclovir for shingles. They won’t normally keep you in but you do need to tell them you’re on biologics and feel systemically unwell.

You need to see A&E/OOH immediately for your eyes to be checked out too in case you have it in your eyes (which is a medical emergency). Hopefully it’s just viral conjunctivitis in your eyes also from being unwell overall, but you need it looked at ASAP just in case. Hope you feel better soon OP 💐

I thought the same

This! Don’t hang around waiting for 111 to call back. Just get yourself to A&E OP x

It may well be shingles if you had vesicles (tiny blisters) nearer the beginning of the rash.

However, if that's not the case, you might need screening for PVL infection as it also looks a bit like that. Often doesn't respond to usual antibiotics given for skin infections. More common in gym users/military populations too.

My 14 year old son had Shingles recently down one side, that spread across his tummy. It looks like a rash to start with, before the spots appear. Not all my son's blistered. It's very painful, because it follows the path of nerves, so essentially he experienced nerve pain. I've not heard of Shingles starting under the arm, but it's entirely possible. Shingles is a virus, so antibiotics and hydrocortisone creams don't work. I think you need a second opinion, especially as you feel unwell. If you don't want to go to A&E, go to your minor injuries unit in the morning.

Well 111 GP was exceedingly unhelpful and refused to see me as saw my own GP this morning. I did explain I feel worse since this morning and the rash has spread, she said to give the antibiotics time to work. I got quite upset as she was very abrupt and brushed my concerns off entirely.

So my only option is to drive to pharmacy (which shuts in half an hour) or go to A&E and I'm really worried about them basically laughing at me. This isn't a medical emergency, or an accident. :/

I could always ring GP again tomorrow. Eugh.

I knew what this would be before I even looked at the pic! Sorry OP - it stings like an absolute bitch, doesn’t it?! ABs won’t do anything because that’s a lovely fungal infection. You need to ask the pharmacist for some daktacort. It works pretty much straight away, you’ll feel loads better after a day or so. You need to do the daktacort for 5-7 days and then get daktarin, which is just the antifungal without the steroid and use that until it’s completely gone.

Oh and the reason I know it’s a fungal infection is I’ve just had the exact, exact same. It was horrid!

@Nc809173given you're on biologics I would go to A&e.

If you have shingles you need anti virals asap to reduce the ferocity. A and E.

I had a friend on biologics who got shingles. She ended up in hospital for 6 weeks.

Go to A and E.

Ive had shingles 3 times. I agree with diagonal rash, and also you have the little rogue one on its own. It looks like shingles.

It’s called candidate interigo if you want to look at some comparison pics

It looks like shingles for sure (as some people have suggested!)

It's sort of raised though

Mine was too. It looked identical to yours. It was so unpleasant - it really stings and burns.

Don’t use just antifungal, you need to start with the one with the steroid in as well to really blast it

go to hospital x

If it is shingles and you don't get seen ASAP it can cause vision loss op, I hope.for your sake it is something fungal thing but you can't risk it unfortunately.

Have you phoned 111 yet?

APOLOGIES realise that you have, and that they were unhelpful.

I think you should go to A and E.

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