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Does Usage Of Betadine Cream Help In Treating Recurring Rashes In Armpits?

Posted on Wed, 18 May 2016

Question: My 10 year old daughter has had a red round patch in both armpits on and off for a year. Her pediatrician told me it was ringworm. I have tried terbinafine, ketoconozole, clotrimazole, miconazole and Viaderm KC (Canadian product with triamcinolone/nystatin/neomycin/gramicidin and recently tolnafate. I used them according to instructions till the rash disappeared and for a further 2 weeks. All the products seemed to work but within 3 weeks the "rash" reappears. I am currently finishing week 2 of tinactin and the rash is gone (and has been for over a week). I was wondering if i could use iodine or betadine on her armpits a couple times a day to kill any remaining spores. (is this harmful to her to use this in her armpits?). I would prefer to not use oral antifungals. I do have a appointment with a dermatologist but i could not get an appointment till May 2016.

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes you can use betadine (povidone iodine)

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for asking HCM

I have gone through your query. You can use betadine (povidone iodine). This will help to destroy fungi and spores. Oral anti fungal agent Fluconazole weekly once for four weeks will be helpful not to get recurrence. Another natural remedy is aloe vera gel which you can apply daily.

Let me know if anything not clear.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (24 hours later)

Ok, I looked at her armpit tonight and the rash is back! What do you suggest ? i put betadine on both armpits tonight (although the rash was only on the one side). She has been putting the cream on herself so it is possible that she wasn't using enough but last time i looked (about a week ago), there was no rash at all.

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
To abort recurrence Oral antifungal will be needed.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.

Thank you for your follow up.

For abort complete recurrence oral antifungal drugs will be needed. Fluconazole is very effective and well tolerated drug which you can use for this.
Betadine application for a couple of days helps. But it has weak antifungal action compared to other topical antifungals. You can also use Ketoconazole soap and ketoconazole powder to apply on armpit daily. Ketoconazole soap can be applied while bathing and leave it for some time and wash.

Let me know if anything not clear.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar