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- $Unique_ID{BRK00576}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Rash Around the Waist, Busts and Back}
- $Subject{rash intertrigo dermatitis Skin maceration antiseptic soap infection
- infections}
- $Volume{L-20}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Rash Around the Waist, Busts and Back
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-
- QUESTION: For about a year, on and off, I get a rash that itches and my skin
- is real tender around my waist, between my busts, around my bra and back. I
- have changed the soap I wash clothes with, taken showers without soap, rubbed
- it with caladryl baby lotion; but nothing makes it go away. Is there anything
- you can write in your column that can help me?
-
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-
- ANSWER: I'll certainly try, although dealing with skin problems without
- actually seeing the rash is not the easiest thing to do. From the areas of
- your body in which the rash appears, and the failure of the types of remedies
- you have attempted, my first thought is that your condition might be a type of
- dermatitis know as "intertrigo". This rash develops in the folds of the skin
- where the surfaces may rub together, and where the openings of the skin pores
- are covered. Such a condition leads to the breaking down of the cells the lie
- on the surface of the skins (a process called "maceration"), and an irritation
- that provokes redness, tenderness and itching. To further complicate matters,
- an infection by bacteria or a fungus may occur. This skin problem is most
- common in obese individuals who live in hot climates that provoke constant
- perspiration. There are several steps you may take to rid yourself of this
- annoyance. First, use an antiseptic soap during your shower to help combat
- any possible infection. You must dry your self thoroughly, taking care to
- blot away all the moisture that may remain deep in skin folds. The careful
- use of a hair dryer, on its lowest heat setting can be helpful, but never set
- it to hot or use it too close to the skin, as that may cause burning. If the
- infection persists, delaying the healing of the skin, you may have to resort
- to a prescription cream that contains an appropriate antibiotic or antifungal
- agent. With any luck the problem should clear up in just a few days, and the
- secret to preventing its reoccurrence is keeping the skin as dry as possible
- in the areas of irritation.
-
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-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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