Feels like a sunburn

Posted by Marybeth on August 11, 1999 at 12:11:30
After a recent trip kayaking, I developed a painful skin irritation.  The area was covered by the rental life vest.  My skin has no apparent signs except tiny red dots interspurced thruogh the area.  Could this be a parasite or an infection passed on by the vest?  It does not seem to be spreading but is not getting better after a week.

Posted by Derm M.D. ASR on August 11, 1999 at 20:53:40
Marybeth:
Actually, the tiny red dots sound more like either 1) folliculitis, "blocked" pores from retention of sweat under the garments, or 2) broken blood vfessels from friction.  Either way, they'll go away on their own.  Despote the icky feeling borrowed garments evoke, you really can't pick up buggies from them.
Hope you had a good time!
Best.
Dr. R
keywords: folliculitis, purpura, Rockoff
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