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Having Itching Burning Sensation On Skin. Slightly Swollen But Not Broken Or No Boils. Painful. Advice?

Posted on Wed, 25 Sep 2013

Question: Dear Dr Grief
I have itchy burning skin above the waistline, above the hip on my left side. The skin is red and slightly swollen but not broken or with boils. The itchy is painful to the extent that I feel the pain deep inside the upper rib on the left side, and in the tummy. I don't know what caused the itch because I did not wear any tight garment; I was not scratched or cut by anything. Please advise on what to do. Thank you.
Yours sincerely XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
photograph required

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
With your description I can think of two conditions.
1. Herpes zoster
2. Fungal infection (tinea cruris)

Can you please upload a photograph of the lesions.
As the treatment of both the conditions is entirely different, It is important to ascertain the diagnosis by seeing the lesions.

You have a feature to upload the reports / image by yourself at the right side of the query page, please utilize that so that I can answer your queries better. You can also send the reports/ image to YYYY@YYYY with the subject as 'ATTN: Dr. Rahul Kumar'."

Waiting for your response.

Thank you

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (8 hours later)

Dear Dr XXXXXXX
Please find attached photograph regarding my query.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
please answer the following

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the photograph.
Its looking like fungal infection.

I would like to know the following things.

1. Since when you have this lesion? You noticed it suddenly or it appeared gradually over days.
2. Was there a pain or itch in that area before the development of lesion?
3. Which is more, pain or itch ?

Just answer the above and I will advice you regarding the management.

Thank you

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (8 minutes later)

Answers:
1. Since last Friday, Sept 6. I noticed it suddenly and it has progressed over days.
2. There was itch in the area before the development of lesion.
3. It is both painful (especially at night) and itch. I have tried not to scratch it.

Thank you.
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
probably going for cellulitis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the details.

Fungal infections wont appear suddenly.
Also if you look carefully there is lot of swelling and the lesions appears deeper.

Its probably a bacterial infection, and may go for cellulitis.

I would recommend you the following treatment.

1. Please start an oral antibiotic
2. Apply a combination of steroid and antibacterial cream.
3. Take an antihistamine tablet like levocetrizine to control itch.
4. Take a pain killer like combiflam.

This combination should give you relief.
Than you

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (15 minutes later)

Would you please kindly give an example of an oral antibiotic; as well as steroid and antibacterial cream.
I will start on the pain killer at night because when the pain starts I feel it in the tummy as well.

Thank you. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
names given below

Detailed Answer:
You can take augmentin ( amoxicillin + clavulinic acid ) or cefixime tablet.
hydrocortisone 1 % is an over the counter available steroid.
Mupirocine is the antibacterail cream.
You can mix both and apply.

Thank you

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