Help,what is it?,.....it's spreading!

About three weeks ago, I started going to a water park, that is on a "lake",(meaning, no chlorination,and the water temperature was bathtub warm), by our house; because our kids were taking swimming lessons there.  Most of the time I did not get in the water.  However, I did once or twice, and then one Sunday, my whole family went there for the whole day, and we were all in the water a lot.  Anyway, after our family day there, I started noticing small red patches appearing.  At first I thought that maybe something in the sand had been biting me; but then after the last time I went there, I started really getting these patches everywhere that my bathing suit touched me,(the suit is not a new one).  They start as tiny red spots,and then turn into oval red scaly patches that itch, and get a small dot of white in the middle, that looks like a dot of dry flaky skin. I've tried an over the counter anti fungal cream and a over the counter cortizone cream.....Nothing.  I'm also taking benadryl for the itching feeling all over.  I'm going to try and get an appt. monday, at the base clinic; but it's hard to get an appt. that will be anytime soon for something like this in the military clinics.  It is not on my arms and legs.  Only where the bathing suit was.  It is starting to spread to my back, and has ravaged my breasts.  I have not been in any other body of water recently, and none of the other members of my family have whatever this is.  I'm really starting to feel uncomfortable, and desparate....Sorry this is sooooo long.  Lori

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Lori:

I'm honestly not sure whether this is an irritation reaction to the bathing suit or perhpas a viral rash which is localized to where you were wearing the suit.  In either case, the condition is likely to go away by itself.  While you wait for the appointment, get some Saran lotion and chlortrimeton 4 milligram tablets (both OTC).  Apply the lotion as often as you need to for itch, and take one of the tablets at bedtime.  This definitely does not soind like anything serious, just annoying.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[kenya]

LORI,
IT HAS BEEN A MONTH SINCE YOU POSTED THIS, SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'LL READ THIS OR NOT.  I HAVE A RECURRING RASH EXACTLY LIKE THE ONE YOU DESRIBED.  THEY COME AND GO ON DIFFERENT PARTS OF MY BODY--MAINLY ARMS AND LEGS.  THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A SOLUTION.  MY DOCTOR GIVES ME A CREAM CALLED LOTRISONE, AND I USE THAT.  I REALLY CAN'T SAY WHETHER IT WORKS OR NOT BECAUSE THE RASH DISAPPEARS ON ITS OWN AFTER TIME.  I HAVE NOW IDEA WHERE IT CAME FROM, AND I HAVE CONSTANTLY ASKED MYSELF OVER THE YEARS IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT I COME IN CONTACT WITH TO CAUSE IT.  I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PINPOINT ANYTHING.  IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE INFO I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.

[Linda]

Kenya,  Do you take any medications that might make you sensitive to the sun?

[Jill]

hi,
i have a similar rash that dr cannot diagnose ....it went from adult acne, to contact dermitits, to i dont know. have tried various things mostly antibiotics. i went to west indies on honeymoon and came back witha blister/zit on chest. i popped it and it spread to rest of my chest, eventually working its way to my face and i cannot get rid of it. it has been 1 year now and i stil cannot get a biopsy. they go away on their own, but when they come back i dont leave my house that is how bad they are. they do not itch but the sting or burn. i think it isa form of follicilitis. is this rash kid of similar to what you are experiencing, and if so was there any sun involved??

curious,
Jill in michigan