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Rash On Top Of Each Leg And Sensitive To Touch.Stretch Marks Appeared During Pregnancy. Suggest Treatment To Get Rid Of Rash?
Question: I have a rash at the top of each of my legs which is limited to my stretch marks. It's sensitive to touch. They are stretch marks that appeared during my first pregnancy in 2003 and I've never had any problems previously. I'm 32 with three children in good health.
Brief Answer:
DETAILED BELOW
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
Generally, old stretch marks ( and yours are 10 years old by now ) do not itch, in fact with time, they might fade away, if not disappear.
It is strange for a rash to appear exactly there right now.
YOu are not pregnant right now again , are you ?
The rash might indicate the beginning of new stretch marks appearing, maybe due to weight gain, loss of skin elasticity etc.
Also, as the area mentioned is between the two thighs, this area is prone to friction and excessive rubbing together while walking, sitting, sleeping etc, which might have caused the rash.
Slight dampness is always present in this part of the body.
Also, allergy to synthetic panties, flaps or wings of sanitary napkins, toilet paper , wet bathing suits etc might cause this.
Right now, try using a soothing aloe vera gel over it.
Calamine lotion also would be fine.
If the rash is not infective ( less likely - for example due to yeast or a viral breakout ), then it should resolve within a few days.
Keep the area meticulously dry by use of neosporin powder locally.
Wear cotton panties and organic lower bottoms or trousers.
Avoid the use of gels, douches, creams , powders, soaps, perfumes, does, toilet paper, etc for a few days.
Take vitamin C tablets daily for a month.
YOu might also apply emollients like Palmer's Cocoa butter locally ( in between the calamine or aloe vera ).
If you are overweight, work on reducing your weight.
After using the washroom / swimming / intercourse / having a bath, make sure you towel dry the area sincerely.
Under no circumstance must you itch.
Itching will worsen the picture.
You can use an antihistaminic tablet like Cetrizine at night.
If the rash persists even after this treatment for a few days, please book an appointment with a dermatologist for an opinion.
All the best.
Please feel free to ask for further clarifications.
DETAILED BELOW
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
Generally, old stretch marks ( and yours are 10 years old by now ) do not itch, in fact with time, they might fade away, if not disappear.
It is strange for a rash to appear exactly there right now.
YOu are not pregnant right now again , are you ?
The rash might indicate the beginning of new stretch marks appearing, maybe due to weight gain, loss of skin elasticity etc.
Also, as the area mentioned is between the two thighs, this area is prone to friction and excessive rubbing together while walking, sitting, sleeping etc, which might have caused the rash.
Slight dampness is always present in this part of the body.
Also, allergy to synthetic panties, flaps or wings of sanitary napkins, toilet paper , wet bathing suits etc might cause this.
Right now, try using a soothing aloe vera gel over it.
Calamine lotion also would be fine.
If the rash is not infective ( less likely - for example due to yeast or a viral breakout ), then it should resolve within a few days.
Keep the area meticulously dry by use of neosporin powder locally.
Wear cotton panties and organic lower bottoms or trousers.
Avoid the use of gels, douches, creams , powders, soaps, perfumes, does, toilet paper, etc for a few days.
Take vitamin C tablets daily for a month.
YOu might also apply emollients like Palmer's Cocoa butter locally ( in between the calamine or aloe vera ).
If you are overweight, work on reducing your weight.
After using the washroom / swimming / intercourse / having a bath, make sure you towel dry the area sincerely.
Under no circumstance must you itch.
Itching will worsen the picture.
You can use an antihistaminic tablet like Cetrizine at night.
If the rash persists even after this treatment for a few days, please book an appointment with a dermatologist for an opinion.
All the best.
Please feel free to ask for further clarifications.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks so much. The rash is on the outside of the thigh, towards my hip. Im not overweight and haven't gained any weight recently.
I do have a few pregnamcy symptoms: sore breasts, fatigue, heartburn etc but i have a Mirena coil (although it's expired) so have discounted this as an option.
I do have a few pregnamcy symptoms: sore breasts, fatigue, heartburn etc but i have a Mirena coil (although it's expired) so have discounted this as an option.
Brief Answer:
DETAILED BELOW
Detailed Answer:
Hi
What would be the dates of your last menstrual period ?
Please take a pregnancy test if you are overdue to rule out this ( less likely I agree due to the Mirena ).
Try using Calamine for a few days, and if the rash still persists or increases , please have a dermatological opinion.
It could be the breakout of a viral illness coinciding with the site of your old striae.
I would have raised the possibility of herpes, but you mentioned that is is at the top of EACH leg.. herpes typically breaks out over one side of the body .. not both halves..
It could be contact dermatitis, that is .. a reaction to the band of your panties, or a belt buckle ?
IT should respond to local agents like calamine or aloe vera, if it is not serious.
As i said, if it doesnt, please consult a dermatologist.
DETAILED BELOW
Detailed Answer:
Hi
What would be the dates of your last menstrual period ?
Please take a pregnancy test if you are overdue to rule out this ( less likely I agree due to the Mirena ).
Try using Calamine for a few days, and if the rash still persists or increases , please have a dermatological opinion.
It could be the breakout of a viral illness coinciding with the site of your old striae.
I would have raised the possibility of herpes, but you mentioned that is is at the top of EACH leg.. herpes typically breaks out over one side of the body .. not both halves..
It could be contact dermatitis, that is .. a reaction to the band of your panties, or a belt buckle ?
IT should respond to local agents like calamine or aloe vera, if it is not serious.
As i said, if it doesnt, please consult a dermatologist.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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