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What Causes Ringworm Like Rash On Left Thigh?

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Posted on Tue, 12 May 2015
Question: My husband has what looks like ringworm rash on his left thigh, looks exactly like the photos from a textbook, about 2 inches, has had this rash for about one month. He started to use an over the counter antifungal cream for the last couple of days, and the rash now appears somewhat lighter in color. Trying to get him to make a doctor appointment. A couple of days ago I had touched the rash with a Q tip, and my finger but then washed with alcohol, quickly after, was applying the antifungal cream. Currently, I have developed a rash behind both ears, started a couple of days ago, red, itchy, swollen ear lobes, with tiny itchy red bumps around nape of neck, and upward into scalp about 1 inch above ears, but no sign of telltale rings. I thought maybe I had poison oak, it is all around the house, possible but doubtful, or drank a green drink (red clover) that gave me a skin rash. So I stopped the green drink and had began taking over the counter 1% Hydrocortisone cream yesterday and that did not help. Bought some over the counter Ivarest, has an antihistamine, analgesic, Calamine 14.0% and Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride 2.0% seems to help a little , swelling, itchy and ears feel hot, decreased. However worried if it is ringworm around my ears but no rings? Also, have been taking Allegra for last 2 weeks, for allergies, been windy.
Five years ago, had had dermatitis on my face and scalp over 5 years ago, went to the doctor, and the current rash, with the tiny bump look a lot like the dermatitis rash from 5 years ago. However worried it may be ringworm but don't see any rings, can this spread?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (58 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not ringworm; seems like allergic dermatitis

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I have gone through your query and I hope to provide a solution to your problem.

This does'nt seem to be a fungal infection/ ring worm

After going through the details provided by you my first impression if that this is likely a contact dermatitis (either to ? poison oak Or ?hair color agents).. considering that it is acute and recent in onset.

-Did you recently use a hair color?

Contact dermatitis to poison oak can happen after indirect air borne contact on exposed skin, specially since it is present in your surroundings.

Allergy to hair coloring agents too can present with itching, redness and bumps on scalp.
There would be ear lobe involvement as well as involvement of skin adjacent to scalp hair line i.e behind the ear lobes, nape of neck.

I suggest you to apply a mid potent topical steroid e.g triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% cream, twice daily, for a few days.
Hydrocortisone is too mild to be effective. The anti-itch cream that you have been using would provide only partial relief.

You may continue with the oral antihistamine e.g either fexofenadine Or cetrizine for a few days.

Regards
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. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

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What Causes Ringworm Like Rash On Left Thigh?

Brief Answer: Not ringworm; seems like allergic dermatitis Detailed Answer: Hello. Thank you for writing to us I have gone through your query and I hope to provide a solution to your problem. This does'nt seem to be a fungal infection/ ring worm After going through the details provided by you my first impression if that this is likely a contact dermatitis (either to ? poison oak Or ?hair color agents).. considering that it is acute and recent in onset. -Did you recently use a hair color? Contact dermatitis to poison oak can happen after indirect air borne contact on exposed skin, specially since it is present in your surroundings. Allergy to hair coloring agents too can present with itching, redness and bumps on scalp. There would be ear lobe involvement as well as involvement of skin adjacent to scalp hair line i.e behind the ear lobes, nape of neck. I suggest you to apply a mid potent topical steroid e.g triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% cream, twice daily, for a few days. Hydrocortisone is too mild to be effective. The anti-itch cream that you have been using would provide only partial relief. You may continue with the oral antihistamine e.g either fexofenadine Or cetrizine for a few days. Regards