# This is so gross. Help me please. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 4, 2000, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995 "2000-09-04T19:36:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/1 "2000-09-04T19:36:47Z")
Actually, it’s gross and painful. I don’t know what it is or where it came from, or why I have it. I’ve had it for a few weeks now, almost a month. It’s gone from bumps, like bug bites, so little sores, to [this](http://www.geocities.com/pepperlandgirl4/sore_001.jpg) and [this](http://www.geocities.com/pepperlandgirl4/sore_002.jpg). It’s different angles of the same leg. Luckily, this hasn’t spread. So, does anybody know what it is? What I can do about it? Right now I put neo-sporin pain reliever and a bandaid on it. Should I go to the doctor? I haven’t freaked out yet, but I’m getting close. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/2 "2000-09-04T19:41:59Z")
Go see a doctor. Now. Why are you still reading this? Go now! ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/3 "2000-09-04T19:51:51Z")
I agree, you need to see a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/4 "2000-09-04T20:00:45Z")
_ **So why are you still reading this?** _ ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/5 "2000-09-04T20:08:50Z")
Yeah, go see a doctor ASAP, but in the meantime… **Let’s diagnose Pepper’s gross leg!** I say it’s shingles. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/6 "2000-09-04T21:09:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Green Bean \* > \*\*Yeah, go see a doctor ASAP, but in the meantime… > > **Let’s diagnose Pepper’s gross leg!** > > I say it’s shingles. \*\* I think it looks a lot like the yeast infection hubby had on his upper thigh and groin (yes, you can get them on your skin, and they’re not just for women!). Bastardly itchy/painful – it kept him awake at night, and this is a man who can sleep through anything. He got it from overusing the heating pad on his hip – too much moist heat. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/7 "2000-09-04T21:18:15Z")
Pepper, have you, by any chance, been wading in poison ivy? That looks like an allergic reaction to something. I’d ice it and take it to a Dr. pronto. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/8 "2000-09-04T21:26:27Z")
Pepper, I tried to ask Greta about it, and showed her your pictures (long story). She says these things are notoriously difficult to diagnose without seeing them in person, and she thinks it would be difficult to say what it could be. It could be one of several things already mentioned in here, but you will probably have to break down and go to a doc. If money is the issue, can you go to a nurse practicioner or urgent care clinic? These often cost a lot less then a doc, and are usually covered well by insurance. ---
**Author:** ![Skelji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Skelji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skelji)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2000, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/9 "2000-09-04T21:38:05Z")
YIKES!!! You got da cooties!!! ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/10 "2000-09-05T00:30:59Z")
We aint doctors here but thanks for the pictures, I just ate dinner, too… Ya need to see a real doc so they can get a closer examination. Could be anything from yeast to worms to poison oak etc. ---
**Author:** ![LisaRx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/77aa72/32.png) [@LisaRx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LisaRx)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/11 "2000-09-05T00:42:40Z")
My vote would be shingles… Is the pain localized to the rash, or is it a tingly, nerve pain? Have you tried Hydrocortisone cream or taking Benadryl? An allergy-type rash (ie poison ivy, etc) will usually respond to this treatment. If it’s a yeast or fungus-involved rash, Lamisil will work great. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/12 "2000-09-05T00:45:51Z")
I’ve tried benadril and hydrocortizone. It helped the itch, but didn’t bring it down. I know it’s not poison oak or poison ivy. The pain is localized to the rash. And it’s not a constant pain, sometimes it doesn’t bother me at all. Othertimes something will agravate it, and it’ll itch and hurt at the same time. Right now, what would make the most sense is a yeast infection. This rash started in the summer time when I wore shorts a lot, and sat on the vinal computer chair. So, is it possible it’s just a skin irritation that’s got disgustingly, uh, irritated? ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/13 "2000-09-05T00:53:11Z")
> [@](#): > > Pepper, have you, by any chance, been wading in poison ivy? That looks like an allergic reaction to something. I’d ice it and take it to a Dr. pronto. How about a Doctor Smith or Jones if you can’t find “pronto” in the phone book … Seriously, go see a doctor of any name, but it looks like poison ivy / oak to my unprofessional eye as well. I’ve had to learn to watch out for the damn stuff in recent years. I never used to be affected by it, but I’ve suddenly become sensitive, and got a couple of really nasty cases of it that took weeks to clear up. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/14 "2000-09-05T00:55:38Z")
Oops, my reply attached to wise-ass remark crossed your further info. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![LisaRx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/77aa72/32.png) [@LisaRx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LisaRx)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/15 "2000-09-05T01:08:20Z")
It’s possible it could be yeast. Like I said, Lamisil would clear up a topical yeast infection within 2-3 days, but use it for a full week. Babies get diaper rash with a super-infection of yeast a lot in hot, humid weather. If the rash is on the outer thigh where air can get to it, it probably isn’t yeast, though. The area would have to stay pretty moist to keep an infection like that going. (But since you’ve been putting antibiotic ointment on it and occluding it, you may be creating a great yeast environment) ---
**Author:** ![Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myron_Van_Horowitzski)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/16 "2000-09-05T15:18:09Z")
Pep, have you taken any antibiotics internally recently? Do you have pets? Oral antibiotics can sway the balance of the body’s flora from bacteria to fungus. Presto: ringworm. Smear with tolnaftate (Tinactin®), cover with sterile gauze. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/17 "2000-09-05T15:19:00Z")
Even if we knew what it was, we couldn’t Rx you. Could be ringworm. You might also check that big red spot on your leg 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![LazarusLong42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@LazarusLong42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LazarusLong42)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/18 "2000-09-05T15:44:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Myron Van Horowitzski \* > \*\*Pep, have you taken any antibiotics internally recently? Do you have pets? > > Oral antibiotics can sway the balance of the body’s flora from bacteria to fungus. Presto: ringworm. Smear with tolnaftate (Tinactin®), cover with sterile gauze. \*\* Actually, not technically ringworm. Antibiotics tend to change the balance, yes, but to the _Candidia_ fungus, rather than _Tinea_. Thus, candidiasis. That’s my best guess. Same treatment. But–I’m not a doctor. Go see a doctor!!! LL ---
**Author:** ![Steve-o](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@Steve-o](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve-o)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/19 "2000-09-05T16:58:52Z")
There’s an indention on one end of the “redness”. Has that always been there? Is that the area where it first started? If the answers are “no”, and “yes” (in that order), I’d suspect a spider bite. At least that’s what it looks like to me. The only thing making me think that it’s not a spider bite is the amount of time it took to get to this point. Most spiders in my area that can do that type of damage to your flesh, will do so in a much quicker time frame (about a week). I’m almost certain that I’m not right, but just wanted to get my guess in before **YOU GO TO THE DOCTOR**. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2000, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995/20 "2000-09-05T19:42:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pepperlandgirl \* > \*\*vate it, and it’ll itch and hurt at the same time. > Right now, what would make the most sense is a yeast infection. This rash started in the summer time when I wore shorts a lot, and sat on the vinal computer chair. > So, is it possible it’s just a skin irritation that’s got disgustingly, uh, irritated? > \*\* Sound plausible. I used to get something milder on the inside of my elbows…(still do, sometimes…) when I would wear my patent vinyl jacket…it looked very gross…it looks like it’s caused by sweat… But then, I ALWAYS get rashes on my skin…(not my face, thank god…just what looks like huge mosquito bites up and down my legs…) Go to your doctor. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-so-gross-help-me-please/31995.md?page=2)