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Suggest Treatment For Severe Itching And Spreading Rashes On The Abdomen
Question: Am 65 and male. Have developed extremely itchy skin and a rash about 2 months ago that has spread from stomach area and spread to pretty much everywhere else. Doctor prescribed Clotrimazole and Betamethasone lotion thinking the condition may be fungal in nature. Although it temporarily relieves some of the itching, the rash continues to slowly spread. Feet are slightly swollen and arms bruise easily. Any alternative ideas?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Please upload Images of the rash.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The possibility of fungal Infection is still high in your case considering it's a response to fungal agents like Clotrimazole Betamethasone.
Fungal infection is often difficult to treat and partial remission is noted.
For a complete response, the treatment may extend up to 2 to 4 weeks.
To consider other possibilities, I request you to upload images of the rash for a thorough guidance
Hope I have answered your query.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. Suresh Heijebu, General & Family Physician
Please upload Images of the rash.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The possibility of fungal Infection is still high in your case considering it's a response to fungal agents like Clotrimazole Betamethasone.
Fungal infection is often difficult to treat and partial remission is noted.
For a complete response, the treatment may extend up to 2 to 4 weeks.
To consider other possibilities, I request you to upload images of the rash for a thorough guidance
Hope I have answered your query.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. Suresh Heijebu, General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Dear Dr. Heijebu,
Thank you for your response, and my apologies for the delay in writing back. (Had access problems to my account.) I will be seeing my regular doctor next week and your information will be helpful. I am wondering how I got this in the first place? Are there environmental conditions in the home I should look for? (I do not have physical contact with others, don't go to health spas, and I have no known allergies so far.)
In error, I inadvertently omitted the last word of the medication I am taking. It should have read "Clotrimazole and Betamethasone Dipropionate", though you probably already knew that. I am using it twice a day and if I recall correctly, the package insert recommends not taking it for more than two weeks. (That will be this Friday.) This medication is very expensive and is not covered by my drug plan. Are there any alternative medications that I could ask my doctor about?
Thanks much for your advice--I do think things are slowly improving based on what I was just told by the person who helps apply the lotion to hard to reach places!
Kindest regards, XXXXXXX
Thank you for your response, and my apologies for the delay in writing back. (Had access problems to my account.) I will be seeing my regular doctor next week and your information will be helpful. I am wondering how I got this in the first place? Are there environmental conditions in the home I should look for? (I do not have physical contact with others, don't go to health spas, and I have no known allergies so far.)
In error, I inadvertently omitted the last word of the medication I am taking. It should have read "Clotrimazole and Betamethasone Dipropionate", though you probably already knew that. I am using it twice a day and if I recall correctly, the package insert recommends not taking it for more than two weeks. (That will be this Friday.) This medication is very expensive and is not covered by my drug plan. Are there any alternative medications that I could ask my doctor about?
Thanks much for your advice--I do think things are slowly improving based on what I was just told by the person who helps apply the lotion to hard to reach places!
Kindest regards, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Oral pills of Terbinafine can be considered as a suitable alternative.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Superficial skin fungal infection is a major cause of morbidity in elderly people.
Environmental factors include inadequate hygiene of inner garments and moisture in the surrounding habitus.
Biological factors include impaired immune defences and elevated blood sugar levels (screening for diabetes mellitus is mandatory) should be considered.
Oral medication of Terbinafine can be used as a suitable alternative. Please check with your health insurance plan if it's covered under the scheme.
In many cases, the maximum response is observed on Topical agents like Clotrimazole Betamethasone combination.
Usually, the drug is indicated for not more than 2 weeks.
Hope I have answered your query.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. Suresh Heijebu, General & Family Physician
Oral pills of Terbinafine can be considered as a suitable alternative.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Superficial skin fungal infection is a major cause of morbidity in elderly people.
Environmental factors include inadequate hygiene of inner garments and moisture in the surrounding habitus.
Biological factors include impaired immune defences and elevated blood sugar levels (screening for diabetes mellitus is mandatory) should be considered.
Oral medication of Terbinafine can be used as a suitable alternative. Please check with your health insurance plan if it's covered under the scheme.
In many cases, the maximum response is observed on Topical agents like Clotrimazole Betamethasone combination.
Usually, the drug is indicated for not more than 2 weeks.
Hope I have answered your query.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. Suresh Heijebu, General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Dear Dr. Heijebu.
Based on your last response, the pieces of the puzzle are all coming together. I was "invited" to retire a few years ago due to reduction in force efforts by my company. During that time, I used to take a shower daily but being at home most of the time, I would sometimes skip a day (no more than one day however). Changing underwear was treated the same way. Then last summer, I experienced intense itching on the scrotum and would scratch sometimes until there was slight bleeding. I couldn't figure out the cause and even checked for lice but found nothing. Then one day two or three months ago, the itching just suddenly stopped on its own. And I think it was around then that my current symptoms slowly began to emerge. So everything you have told me now makes perfect sense--I just couldn't connect all the dots.
You have been very helpful, and I'll make sure to get that daily shower and clean underwear! BTW, a routine checkup and blood test for diabetes was done within the past year and came back normal.
Thanks for your help, and will await any final comments you may have.
Regards, XXXXXXX
Based on your last response, the pieces of the puzzle are all coming together. I was "invited" to retire a few years ago due to reduction in force efforts by my company. During that time, I used to take a shower daily but being at home most of the time, I would sometimes skip a day (no more than one day however). Changing underwear was treated the same way. Then last summer, I experienced intense itching on the scrotum and would scratch sometimes until there was slight bleeding. I couldn't figure out the cause and even checked for lice but found nothing. Then one day two or three months ago, the itching just suddenly stopped on its own. And I think it was around then that my current symptoms slowly began to emerge. So everything you have told me now makes perfect sense--I just couldn't connect all the dots.
You have been very helpful, and I'll make sure to get that daily shower and clean underwear! BTW, a routine checkup and blood test for diabetes was done within the past year and came back normal.
Thanks for your help, and will await any final comments you may have.
Regards, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Avoid humid conditions.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I can certainly understand your concern and have worked through your attached query in detail.
To conclude it's advisable to finish the full course of prescribed medications (antifungal agents). This is the most important.
Blow dry moist areas of your body after each bath.
Avoid strenuous exercise like activities.
Avoid humid environments.
Hope I have answered your query.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. Suresh Heijebu, General & Family Physician
Avoid humid conditions.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I can certainly understand your concern and have worked through your attached query in detail.
To conclude it's advisable to finish the full course of prescribed medications (antifungal agents). This is the most important.
Blow dry moist areas of your body after each bath.
Avoid strenuous exercise like activities.
Avoid humid environments.
Hope I have answered your query.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. Suresh Heijebu, General & Family Physician
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. Kampana
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