Resolved question:
Hi doctor,
Since a year I have itch skin on my buttocks and my inner thighs. On my buttocks it got worse a few months ago. I have red blisters that bleed sometimes. I scratch in my sleep and then it gets worse (redness, blisters and itch). It got worse now I'm traveling, warm humid weather. I went to a doctor in Indonesia, he thought it was fungus. He gave me pills and a cream, it didn't work at all. Made it worse. I'm in Australia now and went to the pharmacy. They gave me a cream with cortisone. This helps a little against the itchiness, but the blisters and red skin are still there. I stopped the cream after a week and the itch got back as well. When I compare my disease with photos on the internet I think I have eczema. I hope you can tell me if I'm right or wrong and how I can cure it. With a medication that will make it go away complete. Because it's drives me crazy!
With kind regards,
Sjors
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Dermatologist
Hi,
Thank your for your consult at DoctorSpring.com.
I have seen the attached pics and in my opinion it is a fungal infection. A ringworm initially presents as acring shaped scaly lesion which due to severe itching may eczematise or develop erosions and oozing.
In such cases, I prefer giving a course of oral antifungal like terbinafine 250 mg once daily with application of topical antifungal antibacterial steroid cream twice daily.
For the same one may mix clotrimazole cream with mild steroid ( hydrocortisone) and antibacterial like fusidic acid cream. Once the lesion is improved, switch to plain clotrimazole cream. Usually two week course of medicine helps. If the lesion are too itchy, please take oral levocetrizine 5 mg once daily.
Hope this helps, would be glad to answer any follow-ups.
Take care
Hi doctor,
thanks for your quick reply. I'm going to the pharmacy to get the medicine. Can I take a longer course to make sure the infection is completely gone? What would be the maximum time I can take this medication?
and do in understand that I take the pills and use the cream at the same time?
Last question: what can i do to prevent this disease in the future? Maybe some change in diet, washing clothes, etc
With kind regards,
Sjors
Hi,
Thanks for writing back.
Usually we prescribe a course of oral terbinafine for four to six weeks. You need to use oral and topical medicines both. Also as advised use the combination of medicines for a week and then just use plain antifungal cream.
To prevent tinea infection, wear loose cotton clothes. Avoid too much of friction and sweating in affected area. Wash your clothes in warm water and dry them in sun.
Hope this helped.
Take care