Ezcema Armpits

I have had irritated and darkened, thick patches of skin in my armpits from ezcema (eczema) outbreaks over several years - many of which occurred during childhood before diagnosis during adulthood. How may I reduce or eliminate the itching, irritation, and discoloration?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm without examination whether these dark itchy patches are due to eczema. Another possibility is of erythrasma skin. The typical appearance is well-demarcated, brown-red macular patches. The skin has a wrinkled appearance with fine scales. If it is eczema skin then topical steroids along with emollients is the best treatment but if it is erythrasma then the standard therapy of erythrasma is antibiotics and antifungals because it is caused by a bacteria C minutissimum. Erythromycin is the drug of choice.

For this I suggest you to get an evaluation done from a dermatologist.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.