Hello Dr. Rockoff,
My son has a round skin rash on his face and one on his back that we can not get rid of.
Background: About 8 weeks ago we were caring for a stay cat and her kittens (they no longer live with us). About 4 weeks ago My son and I both came down with a rash. My rash was on my arm and started small and started to grow outwards. I went to my doctor and she stated it was ring worm and gave me Ketoconazole 2%. I applied it once a day for 10 days and it cleared up.
My son went to his doctor and she thought it was ring worm also. His rash looks a little different then mine. Mine started small and then started to grow larger (outwardly from the middle). His is the size of a half dollar (start and still is), however it's round in shape. She put him on Lotrimin AF for 10 days. After just 7 days it started to get worst (started to grow). So, I took him last week and she took a culture and put him on Econazole cream once a day for 10 days. It started to work at first then it started to get worst. The rash is still the same size, but it's really red and flaky and it's not getting at better. So, after 7 days (no improvement) I took him back again today. The lab results just came back and it was negative for fungus, however the doctor thinks it might be a mistake, so she took another lab culture and wants him to use some over the counter anti inflammatory and go back on lotrimin. My aunt mentioned another skin disease you can get from cats, but I can not think of the name (I think it starts with an I). But, the doctor did not think it was that.
Here are my questions.
1) Since the culture was negative for ring worm, any thought on what it can be. He's been on many anti-fungal medication.
2) If it is fungus, can he use the Ketoconazole cream on his face? When I mentioned it to his doctor a few weeks ago, she didn't think it was a good idea and put him on Econazole.
Ketoconazole worked well on my arm.
3) When he was using the Econazole, I was putting it on pretty heavy after his bath at night. Could I have been putting to much on? Plus, could this cause the condition to look worst (really red, dry and flaky)? Should I try this again, instead of the Ketoconazole?
4) Could pool water aggravate this? He's been swimming in a hotel pool and the pool at school. I'm keeping him out of the pool until clears.
5) Anything else I should have tested for? The doctors are only testing for fungus infections.
Any advise you can give will be much appreciated.
The dermatologist is booked out to mid September and his two doctors don't know what this is.
Sorry this is so long. Thanks for your advise.
Rook