It began about a week ago under my breasts. It then spread to other areas of my body, mostly where a heat rash would be - except these are spreading to my shoulders now and my stomach. I have spread oatmeal over it and bathed in Epsom salts. Then I finished off with Gold Bond powder and kept it very dry. I have no idea what this is or if I absolutely have to see a doctor for this. I have had the shingles before many years ago when I was 13. This is not like that in that they are not blisters, but they do itch.
If I had insurance I would have seen a doctor already. But I had to see if you guys could help me first. Money is extremely tight and if this will go away by itself or if someone could help me get rid of it I would appreciate it.
Do NOT accept this as medical advice.
I am not now and shall not be in future, responsible for your illness, disfigurement, death, or your body being taken control of by Alien Love Crickets from Beta Centauri.
Neither shall the Chicago Reader, its agents, or serfs shall be accountable for anything that happrens to you if you are damfool enough to listen to anybody except a MD.
Try Calamine Lotion. For a couple of days. Then go to the Doc.
Sometimes, your local Public Health department will be able to help you.
Also, consider local medical schools & teaching hospitals.
IANAD, this is not medical advice, etc.
Until you see a real doctor, suggest trying anti-fungal meds, like you’d use for athlete’s foot. Fungi can get started in anyplace that’s warm and moist, and itches like the dickens. Trying the OTC stuff for a week will probably do no harm, and if it seems to work, continue.
I know that fungal infections in animals are checked by blacklight (they flouresce). I don’t see why it would be different for people. Do you have a blacklight around?
*not medical advice, etc.
A scary story.
At least call “ask a nurse”, or whatever they call the hospital help line in your area.
Go see your damn doctor.
Yep, good advice to go see a doctor. In the meantime, have you changed your washing powder?
I knew I shouldn’t have posted this because of people like filmgeek. My friend had suggested something for athlete’s foot. From what I have found on the net, I am trying something I had used long ago like lotramin. For those with a helpful response I say thank you, hopefully I will be rid of this before it gets to the point I need to see a doctor.
I hate the fact that a single working mother cannot get health insurance unless she is on welfare or committs herself to a job that pays lower wages but has benefits she must pay for on top of taxes. Or unless she has a husband who has a job with benefits. I have a bachelor’s degree and can’t find work beyond temp on the manufacturing floor. I called a doctor last week and they quoted me $70 just for the visit not including tests or anything else they may want to do. For me, that could break me.
you should skip the doc and go straight to a dermatologist. and it’s not just single working mother’s that have this problem.
I disagree. I can handle 95%+ of my patients’ skin problems.
A rash that develops in skin folds is often tinea. One can certainly try an over-the-counter antifungal to see if one gets improvement. If problems persist, a visit to one’s local internest or family practitioner is definitely in order.
QtM, MD
BTW, the OTC antifungals are tolnaftate (Tinactin), clotrimazole (Lotrimin), and miconazole (Micatin).
And I meant internist!
Thank you QtM. This is Lotrimin. I now have some hope. I also promise to see a doctor if it does not work.
Squink…that link was certainly a heads up for me!
Lotrimin is over the counter now? I thought I used this back in '92 for ringworm, but thought it was prescription. Don’t have any idea how I got it. But it started small on my chest and then got way out of hand because I hated to go to the doctor. It did clear up with the help of meds.
For those of you interested. I did see a doctor. With one pill he cured me. Apparently it had something to do with my PH balance and the bacteria natural to my body just flourished. It makes me wonder what people did in the 1800’s.
Was it diflucan?
Yes, it was.