Constant fungal rash under stomach fold and breast after caesarean

[BatForCat]

Since having a caesarean section 5 years ago, I’ve had a constant fungal rash along the stomach apron where the incision was. I know it’s definitely fungal, it often spreads to my under breast area (only on one side) also.

I’ve tried EVERYTHING to get rid of it. The only thing that keeps it at bay is daktarin or desenex powder, but the rash always comes back when I stop using the powder. Have tried a combination of anti fungal cream and powder but this hasn’t solved it.

I am a bit overweight but not massively so. Am trying to lose weight in the hope that it helps. Boobs are on the large side, but I always make sure to wear a bra that fits properly.

Edit to add, I’ve tried all other manner of medicated powders, the only ones that work are the daktarin and desenex.

Sudocreme is pretty magic for this.

ETA - makes sure you're really dry after a shower and then use sudocreme every day.

Thanks but I’ve tried sudocreme and it didn’t work unfortunately 😢

My other half has had a fungal infection for years at this point, and has been taking oral medications alongside topical, as well as all other precautions (special care with personal hygiene, drying, laundry). Fungal infections can be super stubborn. Go see a dermatologist I reckon.

Are you using the daktarin spray on dry powder for athletes foot? Works brilliantly for me.

Have you been to the GP?

dermatologists tend to use lotriderm cream for this. Have you asked your GP? They might try some trimovate or lotriderm. Daktarin never seems potent enough for the body but can help facial rashes.

Just to add I don’t think you will find over the counter things very helpful here, so ideally speak to GP.

Fungal infections can become systemic and not just topical.
See your GP as you might need something prescribed.
All your clothes and bedding may have spores in too. A friend of mine had something similar and was advised to add tea tree oil to every wash.

I have been to the gp, but she wasn’t overly concerned and just recommended the daktarin and told me to keep the area dry.

I’ve not tried the daktarin spray on powder, might give that a go.

Keep the area clean and dry whatever you do. You could even try more absorbent bras and underwear. Keeping the moisture away should definitely help. The powders you are using sound good to me too! And yes, losing weight will probably help unfortunately, I need to lose weight too it's hard isn't it😭

I use coconut oil. I find it very effective.

When I finally manage to clear mine with daktarin, I find a spray with antiperspirant or a mitchum stick over the areas helps cuts down sweating which helps. I still end up doing a week of daktarin every few months though as it comes back eventually but not as bad

I may try this, I have same thing. Is it every day, use just once a day or more?

If you've tried daktarin and it doesn't work you need something that is prescription strength rather than over the counter.

Mine prescribed Timodine (need to double check but have sleeping kitty on me) and it cleared it up in under a week after years of trying everything else including the daktarin.

Trimovate is pretty magic stuff.

I found once it was clear, as long as I used a moisturiser such as Nivea right along the crease after every shoer abd dry then it stopped coming back.

I lost a lot of weight and had this problem under my tummy skin, what I found works best for me is:
have a bath- wash it thoroughly with actual bar soap (not dove) and not shower gel, make sure to dry the areas completely. Then use daktarin powder on it, then cover with a thick maternity sanitary pad pressed against the skin (soft side on it obviously) to create a soft barrier away from the from your clothes and to keep it dry. Change the pad regularly.
also try and air out the area whenever possible (can use a hair dryer, or just lie ok your bed naked for a bit)
only wear cotton breathable materials (like your knickers- Primark do a basic 100% cotton pack for about £3)
wash all your bedding and underwear etc on a very hot wash, and add a cap ful of white vinegar to the machine. Don’t use softener in your wash or scent beads etc; just bio washing liquid and a cap of white vinegar.

What are you washing the area with? I would start by trying an anti fungal dandruff shampoo as a body wash on the affected areas containing ketoconazole, e.g. Nizoral. I've never tried Hibiscrub but I know some people swear by it.

If you eat a lot of sugar you could also trying cutting it out as far as possible.

perhaps try fucidin cream, you can get one with hydrocortisone to deal with rash and one without. Had similar issue soon after c section and it sorted it out quickly

Bizarrely I use daktarin athletes foot spray powder for this. I am a diabetic so at risk of thrush in these places if I eat too much sugar/carbs. I spray every time I have a shower and it acts as a preventative. I’m an ex nurse so knew it was worth a go now I wish every diabetic knew this hack!

I use hibiscrub/hibiwash on those areas. Not had a bad fungal infection, but the skin gets itchy and a bit peely if I stop using it. Also dry it well with a towel and/or hairdryer, and use ordinary baby powder.

I would try taking an oral canestan capsule if you’re sure it’s fungal. In a similar situation to you ie creams not working, I took one capsule a day for 2 days in a row. It was healing in 2 days and almost gone in a week. I fibbed to the pharmacist and said it was for thrush and that I wanted to take one now and have one on hand for the future.

I felt confident to do this because I had previously been prescribed a 2 week course of canestan oral tablets for nipple thrush. It was the only thing that worked after 6 weeks of various oral and topical medicine which didn’t benefit me or the baby I was trying to breastfeed.

Hibiwash and an oral medication like Griseofulvin is needed to shift stubborn thrush.

TeaTree cream cures anything fungal for me.

Your GP is useless. Go to a sexual health clinic. Ask them to take swabs and prescribe a course of oral anti fungal medication.