I Have a Rash on my bum

Last October I developed a small rash on my right  buttox that I thought nothing of as I often get rashes on my hands as I had Eczma (eczema) as a child and get Cerisis too they usually dissapear around March when the weather gets good as I work outside.This rash was different as it started off about 1" dia and now it is the size of a CD, it is hardly ever itch only after Ive had a few drinks on a weekend.The area is red with small spots inside and there is a strong ring surrounding the rash it is a thick line and the rash is inside of this, from what I can remeber i have had an itchy patch in that area for 2 months prior to the rash appearing, I suppose you could say it looks like ringworm.Some days its hardly visible other days it looks terrible, I have not applied any creams or anything else as i am expecting it to go away!! .I travelled to cambodia in Sept last but feel I had the itchiness (without the rash ) prior to this , I had all the vaccinations previous to that, Polo, Tetanus,Malaria tablets etc and did not do or come in contact with anything unusual while there.It could be from a bite of some sort but I dont know, would love to know if you have ever come across this type of rash before or have any creams remedies that I could use or would a few sunny days cure this too!!!!
Many thanks
Bunti

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

There are many rashes and spots which will go away of you ignore them.  Your rash is not one of them.

You may be right that this is "ringworm"--fungus. Or it may be eczema of some sort.

Here's my advice: Make an appointment with a doctor.  Then while you're waiting for the appointment, go to the drugstore and get some clotrimazole 1% antifungal cream (non-prescription)and put it on twice a day till you see the doctor.  That will help clarify the situtation and may help the rash too.

Fungus, by the way, is often not very contagious, despite its reputation.  If no one around you (roommate, sexula partner) has it, that wouldn't be surprising.  If they do, see a doctor faster.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[worried_big_sister]

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