2 week rash

I have a rash that began on my breasts 2 weeks ago. It spread to my upper chest and neck.( There are a few lesions on my arms and stomach. It has mercifully, left my face alone.)  It is red, raised, scaley and relentlessly itchy. The lesions, in some places, are so concentrated that my skin looks reptillion. My Dr. diognosed it as a fungal rash and perscribed a 5 day treatment of Nizoral 2% shampoo as a body wash and Ketoconazole 200mg. These have done nothing and the rash continues to get worse. I am a 40 yr. old female in otherwise good health. What might it be. If it is fungal, how does one contract such a thing and fight it?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

In a woman (or man) your age, a rash in that area is far more likely to be eczema than tinea versicolor, the fugus your doctor diagnosed and treated.  Also, fungus doesn't itch andeczema does.

You should get re-evaluated and treated, most likely with a prescription-strength cortisone cream.  Meantime, pick up some Sarna lotion (OTC)--excellent for suppressing itch.

Eczema is hereditary.  Perhaps you had it as a child.  It's unlikely to be allergi in nature.  I would treat it first and see if further evaluation is worthwhile.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[soupy44]

A related discussion, out dated Allergy medicine was started.