Urgently require help; common rash (Pictures)

[Some-G]

I've have had a rash on both my very upper legs for about a year now, and it is starting to get me down. I havn't been to a doctor because of where it is (Kind of awkward), and also I've deluded myself that it will go away because it fades and returns when after a year it hasn't. Furthermore, for various reasons, it would be inconvenient to see a doctor (because of my age and I would have to embariss myself with parents etc)

I've tried vaseline, talcom powder and some other things like that, but with little luck. Some days I wake up and it is mostly faded, other days it is much worse. It doesn't really itch at all. Oh, and on some days it reflects light (Whilst the normal skin obvioustly doesn't)

I've posted some pictures of it below so if anybody could be kind enough to diagnose it (yeah, I know technically you aren't diagnosing it or w/e, but even a suggestion of how to solve it would be so helpful) and suggest something to me then I'd be really grateful (This site is kind of my last hope of a cure  )

Thanks.

PS. I'm sure its something common which is why I haven't seen a doctor... I'm sure it can be cured with something easy and I'm sure somebody will easily be able to identify it.


http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/3738/dsc00008rs8.jpg


http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/7940/dsc00010aj3.jpg


http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/9983/dsc00009tp4.jpg

[bunnie]

Hello Some-G, and welcome!
You have not given your age, but I can assure you that if you do not wish a parent present in the doctors office then your wishes will be respected. As a parent myself, no self-respecting parent would want their child to feel embarrassed because of their presence, and would willingly respect you and wait outside until the examination was over. If you are under 15 years then they could come in the office after to discuss this with the doctor if necessary. The doctor will I can assure you, put your interests first.
As you have said, it isn't going away is it? Something is going on that needs attention, even if it turns out to be just jock itch! Do you have this anywhere else at all? There seem to be some very tiny blisters there that I can see. You are right in thinking that nobody can offer you a diagnosis here. We can offer a wild guess as to what it may look like, but that could be misleading. We can point you in the right direction however, and in this case I'm afraid you must take "the bull by the horns" and head for the doctors office. What's a few moments of embarrassment compared with a whole year of being uncomfortable and worrying over what it might be? You haven't got anything about your dear old body that is different to any other living person, and certainly nothing that the doctor, nurse, or indeed your mother, hasn't seen before!
Go on! ring the docs now and get it over with! Good luck!
Bunnie

[totalfolly]

Hiya, Some-G, and welcome to SkinCell!

I have to agree with everything Bunnie has said.  There are so many different skin conditions that we'd just be taking a shot in the dark.  A dermatologist would be able to give you a diagnosis, and Bunnie is right again--there is no need for embarrassment.

In the mean time, I'm curious if you've noted when it's worse and when it's fading.  You might want to keep a journal until your doc appointment to see if any pattern develops.  I'd document pretty much everything I could think of--weather, what you've eaten, what you're wearing, whether the item was recently laundered and with what detergent.  That sort of thing.  If you've used any cleansers or mosturizers on the area, note that, too.  If you're currently using soap to cleanse, you might want to stop and either use a soap substitute or just plain water.

Please let us know what you find out at the doctor.

totalfolly

[CalamityJane]

Hi, and welcome to Skin Cell!

I agree with the other replies. You will feel so much better when you know what this is. You might be referred to a dermatologist, and that's the best place for diagnosis and treatment.

Please keep us posted, and lots of luck. Pluck up your courage, and make the call!

Jane

[Some-G]

Thanks everybody for all your quick responses 

totalfolly, when you said about not using soap... Does soap have the opposite effect? I have been using especially a lot since the rash developed, in an attempt to get rid of it. I've been skeptical it is jock itch because I bathe at least once every 2 days (daily if my dad isn't on the ball  ), and my hygene is normally very good.

When the itch first developed I was wearing Y-fronts normally rather than boxers; something I have noticed is that if I wear Y-fronts it gets worse during the day (The last set of photos were taken after Y-fronts). Might that have something to do with it?

Here is what I mean by it "fades".... These were taken today; the last photos were taken the day before yesterday.





And if they don't convince you, check this one out (Left leg - See the last photo on my first post for the comparison between the two days):


I forgot to mention something else also. On my left leg, the rash used to be MUCH worse, whereas now parts of it have cleared, which is another reason why I felt that I could cope with it without seeing a doctor.

I know some of you will probably think I'm ignoring your advice not to go see a doctor just yet, but I really want to try everything within my power before I see one. Might there be any chemicals that I can buy next time I am in the supermarket?

Massive thanks again 

btw _at_ bunny: I'm 15 (16 shortly)

Edit: Oh, and by the way, I haven't had sex, so it isn't an STD.

[bunnie]

btw _at_ bunny: I'm 15 (16 shortly)

I guessed right then!
To be honest, I was rather thinking it was jock itch. The thing is Some -G although hygiene is crucial at any age, hormones are running wild at this time as you enter into early manhood, and this can have an effect on the glands in the groin and on  the little sweat pores abundant in those areas. If you wear tight or close fitting underwear, this overheats the area as the sweat pores cannot clear fast enough, so it ends up in a viscious circle. As an example, think of one of the main complaints of male cyclists. Skin rashes often occur in that area, because they wear tight cycling shorts and sitting on a saddle of course. The area overheats and the skin reacts, to put it very simply. Try keeping the area scrupuously clean and dry. Use the simplest of soaps possible and LEAVE IT ALONE. Don't put anything on it, maybe try an anti itch cream for a few days then stop.  Wear boxers, and loose fitting clothing as often as possible.
regards bunnie

[Some-G]

Thankyou for your suggestion... What threw me off it being jock itch was that it didn't actually itch... Also it didn't look anything like the photos of it (google images)....

So I will get back to you in a short while (3-7 days) and will say how I am getting on, and I will stay wearing lose fitting clothing as well

If it doesn't clear then I have a nice excuse lined up as to the reason I have a mark on my leg (Sports tournament)

Edit: I just looked it up on another website which goes into detail about it.... and it said something about excessive thirst  ... I normally drink nothing all day and then between 3-5 litres from 4-10 which my parents became (and still are) concerned about (Yes, I know its bad to "camel" with water.... I went to the doctor about that and no, I'm not anorexic).... but might that have anything to do with the rash? 

[Bamawing]

Wow. I just popped on here, and read the last post first because I'm just weird that way. The thing with the water is very odd. *worried* I would be cautious about your blood sugar levels... excessive thirst is also a possible symptom of early diabetes.

From the visual description, I would swear it's the same thing that I have... the shininess, the redness that fades quickly, right down to it being in an embarrassing location. But mine itches like MAD. I don't know if it would be considered jock itch... best I can tell, it's a yeast that gets out of control from time to time. Oddly enough, it's basically nappy rash, only caused by sweat instead of nappy. (I know that's pretty graphic. Sorry.)

I agree with TF and Bunnie... I promise, dermatologists have to look in all kinds of unfortunate places. It's really just part of the job for them.

Hope you feel better soon!

[totalfolly]

totalfolly, when you said about not using soap... Does soap have the opposite effect? I have been using especially a lot since the rash developed, in an attempt to get rid of it.

Soap can be very harsh.  I'd stay away from most soaps, and particularly any with fragrances added.  A very mild soap or a soap substitute should be okay.

You've had some great feedback!

totalfolly 

[Uncle Matt]

I had a bout of jock itch last year, and one major characteristic I had was when the rash got wet, it used to itch intensly for about 10 minutes.

Matt

[bunnie]

but might that have anything to do with the rash?

To be honest I personally don't think so. It is a possibility that there is a a bit of a fungal thing going on there too as Bama has quite rightly pointed out.
I don't know which are your most widely used fungal creams in your country, but ask the pharmacist to give you a good one. (Don't be embarrassed about asking a lady pharmacist (make sure she/he is actually a pharmacist first) You can't embarrass them neither! The cream will not do any harm to you if it isn't a fungal infection,your affected area just will not improve, likewise if it clears or improves dramatically you will know it was fungal.
Fungal infections are extremely common where there is traumatised skin, especially in these warm areas, and as they are the very devil to get rid of you will have to wash undies straight away (don't leave them on the floor! I know what you boys are like!!) Wash your hands after handling underwear, before putting on cream and after.
Keep us updated won't you?
Bunnie

[Uncle Matt]

The cream will not do any harm to you if it isn't a fungal infection,your affected area just will not improve,

On that note, get yourself down to Tesco's (if it's got a pharmacy) or Boots or another pharmacist, and get a cream called "Lamisil AT 1% Gel". It's available over the counter without a prescription. The pharmacist may ask you some questions, but she (or he) ain't your mother

The cream has something called Terbinafine in it, and if it is jock itch, it will work. It even says "Dhobie Itch" (which is another name for Jock Itch) on the front of the packet.

It's handy stuff to have around, as it works on Athletes Foot too...

Of course, don't forget to read the label, in particular the bit that says "if your symptoms persist then contact a doctor".

Wearing tight or close fitting clothes will make jock itch a lot worse (speaking from personal experience), so get yourself down to Matalan, and buy some shorts, and buy them a few sizes too big. Same for boxers. The looser the better. Normally I'd champion Tesco's again on the clothes, but I bought a shirt from there not so long ago, and I lost two buttons in the washer over the weekend.

Hope that helps.

Matt.

[Shauna]

Hi.

I just read through your posts. Sorry you are so embarassed by this. You should not be at all. And, a derm would not think anything of it. I am positive they have seen MUCH worse.

Anyway, just wanted to let you know that my husband suffers from from time to time with the same thing you have been describing. He finally went to the doctor about it after much nagging, and come to find it was yeast. He sweats a lot in that area and his boxers rub, etc. So, I guess it was a breading ground for yeast to grow much like in women. (I think. Bunnie will know more). I get yeast infections now and then, and I passed mine onto him. It is not very common for men to get them from their wives, but it happened. Obviously, you did not get yours from a girl since you are not sexually active. (which you should not be until you are married, anyway) So, that is what it might be. You need to see a doc and get some cream. Or, you might talk with a pharmacist. They could suggest some OTC creams.

All the best,

Shauna

[Some-G]

hey again

I have taken Uncle Matt's advice and bought some of the lamsil gel/cream thing he recommended from tesco. If that doesn't work then I will be forced to see a doctor... So I will solve the problem either way 

A huge thanks to everybody who suggested something here... I wasn't expecting half as many responses as this; especially considering that these are the only posts I have made on the forum!

I will let you know how I get on (Don't we all just hate it when we never know if something worked for the person or not?  ); the cream says "1/2 weeks", so I will report my findings

[bunnie]

Hi again Some -G please remember if it doesn't work, or if it only improves it a little, you may need a stronger one from the Doc.  Should this prove necessary, he will swab the area and send it off to the lab to determine which fungal infection it is, (if it is that) and subsequently to which fungal cream it will be sensitive to. (there are many types of fungal infections, and therefore many fungal preperations to combat them.) Good Luck!
Bunnie

[ORLA]

you should go to the derm and find out exactly what is going on, you will feel so much better getting it sorted out

[Some-G]

Okay heres the update I promised after a week.

To cut it short applying cream and leaving it alone didn't work... It faded and came back. Cream applied before bed and when I wake up (2x a day). 

HOWEVER, now I am rubbing in this salt thing which is meant to make the skin smooth (Any skin in fact). Your meant to rub it on your hands or w/e but I was using it before on the itch and it seemed to help. So now when I go for a bath I do that, and then the cream. I can see it has faded already (Though it may fade back). I started this 2 days ago.

Stay tuned for further updates 

[bunnie]

Hi Some _G, I notice that you bought the Lamsil on the 24th June. Just over a week ago. That isn't long enough if this is possibly a fungal infection. Fungal infections can be very stubborn, and the devil to get rid of. It has to be completely eradicated otherwise it will grow right back.
To be honest Some-G that is why you should pluck up the courage and go and get this checked out. (read post 14 again) You really don't know what you are dealing with, and in fact whatever you are using could be making the situation much worse. As is usual in these cases, you will probably find the experience is no where near as bad as you expected.
Bunnie

[Some-G]

hmm okay everybody I've posted back as I said I would. This is after 2 weeks of Lamsil cream. I think it's getting better but I'm really not sure because earlier today it went VERY red, and now after a bath it has gone back again 





If I go to the doctor (I'm in the UK) then will they know about it or will they send me to some specialised unit in the hospital :S... because as far as I'm aware they don't have "dermatologists" here.

Also after applying the cream, and after a good wash, it has started itching like mad, which again suggests it is just a jock itch 

[loppy]

I got the very same thing through sex and yes I was careful and wore a condom and I caught the dam thing in Feb/April time off a girl and now it's July. I've now got it like you but also under my armpits as well and I suspect it's on my back side too. From those pictures you have, got jock itch and a good way of tell that the area is infected smells like hell. It's very contagious and I also think there's a serious epidemic as because everytime I go to boots and buy Athlete foot power/plus cream version which contains Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride and Tolnaftate which you need they are usually all sold out.

To beat the dhobie itch you need Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride and Tolnaftate at 0.6%. The stuff you buy at the shops are only of the 0.2% which isn't strong enough hence the return nature of dhobie itch. Dhobie itch like damp areas and that why they feature in and round leg area and arm pits.

So please, can someone on here direct me to a nearest STD clinic in the West End, Soho, Westminster area. I need to see someone with a walk in clinic.

Your help is much needed.

Lols if someone on here kindy give us an address perhaps both you and me can get sorted!