Can you help me out with this one?

  Hey doc,

          Last week, I noticed a red, itchy rash start to develop in both of my armpits.  As a side note, I do sweat considerably from my armpits, and the rash followed the same outline as when I sweat through a t-shirt.  After two days, it had gotten so red and itchy, I went to see a doctor.  He gave me 0.1% Bethamethasone Valerate.  I've been using it for a week, and although the itching persists, the redness has pretty much dissapeared.  However, I'm starting to now notice that the rash seems to to be spreading over my torso, abdomen, arms and perhaps even my legs.  Can you help me out?

Thanks

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Your doctor treated you correctly, because most armpit rashes are forms of eczema, not allergies to antiperspirant.  Eczema can't spread, but it can affect other parts of the body.  I suggest you try the same cream on some of the other spots and then either show your doctor or tell him what the response was.  He can go from there.  Since you probably don't have a history of eczema (at least that you know of), you may want to consult a dermatologist to get the whole picture.  Eczema flares up from time to time for no particular reason.  You may for instance have had it as an infant, though of course you wouldn't remember that....

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff