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How Can A Rash On The Buttock Be Treated?
Question: ITwo to three weeks ago i "rash" appeared on my left buttock in a spot that I cannot see even with a mirror. I had felt absolutely nothing but while showering and drying off I felt something with my hand. My wife said that it appeared like a "rash". I tried putting bacitracin ointment onto it for a few days and it did nothing. I spoke to a pharmacist who suggested that it could be some sort of fungal infection so said that I could try an anti-fungal ointment which I have been now doing for about 2 weeks. It did seem to help at first but not in the last 10 days. There is absolutely no pain associated with this outbreak however occasionally I will experience so minor discomfort if I sit the wrong way but it disappears but simply shifting my position. I do have neropathy so have been on gaberpentin for several years I am 74 years old, have had the shingles shot several years ago. Any suggestions? YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
Fungal infection most possible, so continue the treatment with the ointment
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.
In general the skin rashes in areas where there is possibility of being a wet/humid environment are fungal infections. And the fact that it got better after applying the ointment is a sign that it's most probably fungal infection.
Fungal infections are hard to remove completely, especially if the area there continues to be wet. So that is why it hasn't got better.
So I would encourage you to continue apply the ointment for 2 more weeks and try to keep the area well ventilated and dry before applying the ointment.
If worse or not better, I would recommend seeing a doctor, or upload/attach a photo here at the reports section, if possible, so I can have a look on it. If it lasts and doesn't get better, you will need to keep an eye on it and schedule an appointment with a Dermatologist for detailed evaluation.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Fungal infection most possible, so continue the treatment with the ointment
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.
In general the skin rashes in areas where there is possibility of being a wet/humid environment are fungal infections. And the fact that it got better after applying the ointment is a sign that it's most probably fungal infection.
Fungal infections are hard to remove completely, especially if the area there continues to be wet. So that is why it hasn't got better.
So I would encourage you to continue apply the ointment for 2 more weeks and try to keep the area well ventilated and dry before applying the ointment.
If worse or not better, I would recommend seeing a doctor, or upload/attach a photo here at the reports section, if possible, so I can have a look on it. If it lasts and doesn't get better, you will need to keep an eye on it and schedule an appointment with a Dermatologist for detailed evaluation.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
I have photos on my phone but do not know how to get those photos over to my laptop so that I can upload them; however, if you give me an e-mail address I can e-mail them to that address from my phone. Incidentally, I am located in Arizona which is the desert southwest U>S> where it is quite dry. Your comments about moisture may not be valid in this situation.
Brief Answer:
There is an option to upload/attach pictures in our website at the reports section
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow-up question.
We are not allowed to give personal email addresses. But please look around in your dashboard because there is a button at the reports section, where you can upload the photo. Alternatively, you can also e-mail the photos to YYYY@YYYY and keep the subject as ATTN:Dr Papaqako , and I'll receive them.
If you cannot find it, I would still advice the same things because I'm pretty sure its a fungal infection because the location its typical.
Even if you live in a dry place, our bodies still sweat, so in the folds of the body there is wet areas. As I understood it from your description it seems like it is in one of those areas, but maybe I'm wrong.
If you don't think that is the case, then next possible diagnoses its an eczema and a steroid cream would be the next medicine to try.
And as I said, if not better in 2-3 weeks, then it's time to see a dermatologist so they can look with a microscope and other tests to rule out any other dermatological complications.
Regards,
Dr.Papaqako
There is an option to upload/attach pictures in our website at the reports section
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow-up question.
We are not allowed to give personal email addresses. But please look around in your dashboard because there is a button at the reports section, where you can upload the photo. Alternatively, you can also e-mail the photos to YYYY@YYYY and keep the subject as ATTN:Dr Papaqako , and I'll receive them.
If you cannot find it, I would still advice the same things because I'm pretty sure its a fungal infection because the location its typical.
Even if you live in a dry place, our bodies still sweat, so in the folds of the body there is wet areas. As I understood it from your description it seems like it is in one of those areas, but maybe I'm wrong.
If you don't think that is the case, then next possible diagnoses its an eczema and a steroid cream would be the next medicine to try.
And as I said, if not better in 2-3 weeks, then it's time to see a dermatologist so they can look with a microscope and other tests to rule out any other dermatological complications.
Regards,
Dr.Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
The solution that was suggested does not seem to be working. While I have not actually seen a doctor here the feeling is that the problem is more likely a MILD outbreak of shingles which of course is viral. I have had the shingles shot and I already take 900 mg of gabapentin daily for neuropathy so "pain" from the outbreak is non-existant.
Brief Answer:
Not very likely to be shingles, but cant say without a photo.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the feedback and the follow up question.
I am not sure if I agree with your deduction though, because shingles would have blisters, would be very itchy would not last more then 2 weeks, and of course the pain/burning sensation would still be there despite of you taking gabapentin.
I cannot be sure of the diagnoses without seeing a picture, so it may be something else that I didn't thought. But I ruled shingles out because of the reasons mentioned above.
I hope you are feeling better, and I really appreciate the follow up with me.
Let me know if you have other questions or concerns.
Regards,
Dr.Papaqako
Not very likely to be shingles, but cant say without a photo.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the feedback and the follow up question.
I am not sure if I agree with your deduction though, because shingles would have blisters, would be very itchy would not last more then 2 weeks, and of course the pain/burning sensation would still be there despite of you taking gabapentin.
I cannot be sure of the diagnoses without seeing a picture, so it may be something else that I didn't thought. But I ruled shingles out because of the reasons mentioned above.
I hope you are feeling better, and I really appreciate the follow up with me.
Let me know if you have other questions or concerns.
Regards,
Dr.Papaqako
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. Vaishalee Punj
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