Bad rash - suspect Tinea Corporis, with pictures/link

I am having a big problem controling/getting rid of this suspect Tinea Corporis.  Please see the page I put up with extensive pictures to illustrate, and history:

http://www.historicrecord.org.uk/rash/rash.htm

I would love some advice and opinion, either by email (link at the bottom of the page linked above) or comments on here.  I am currently trying to get an apointment with another doctor and am due to go on holiday in a week!

I forgot to mention I am 30/m.

Thanks in advance!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think you have not fungus but contact dermatitis, that is an allergic reaction to something (toothpaste?) that came in contact with the skin.  Did you put the toothpaste on your skin?  If you just put it in your mouth, it wouldn't cause a rash under your arms.

In any case, if you want to get better before your holiday, you may need oral cortisone treatment.  I advise you to see a doctor as soon as you can.  I don't think the rash is medically serious, but it must be awfully annoying.

Also, you need to figure out what may have contacted your skin and caused the problem.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[g123]

Thanks Dr,

The tooth mousse was only used in the mouth with no reaction inside the mouth.  I have not done anything out of the ordinary in the time I got the rash and cannnot think of anything that has changed, eg washing powder or clothes.

In previous years I have had a very small rash when using a new shampoo or other that I didn't agree with, stopping use and the rash would go away in a few days.  I have never had anything like this, it came up quick seemingly out of nowhere.

Thank you for your advice.  I am absolutely at a loss to think what has caused it but I'll keep stretching the grey matter and see if I come up with something.

Regards, Greg.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

At times eczema (not caused by a contact) can do the same thing.  In the short term, treating it is more important than finding the trigger, if any.

Dr. Rockoff

[leedogg77]

I used to get this on my back (sides) and under the armpits when I was younger (college age). I switched to shampoos and soaps that were more geared towards sensitive skin and they seem to have helped. Also it seems that alcohol could cause outbreaks for me as well (not sure if you drink). Also using a shampoo made for dandruff for all over washing would clear it up too. Anyhow over the years I got less and less of it until just recently had a small occurance. I've been diagnosed with both dermatitis and eczema. My family has a history of eczema. You may check with your parents, grandparents, etc to see if there is a family history.

[arbindo]

Looking at the widespread nature I think we cant exclude an 'Id reaction' here. This is also known as autoeczematization dermatitis. It is a sort of 'allergic' reaction to a preexisting fungal, bacterial infection and sometimes to contact dermatitis and stasis eczema.May need an expert to have a look and sort it out. Nothing alarming though.

[liliedilly]

When you get this looked into ask about a candida (yeast) overgrowth?