bumpy rash

I just returned from vacation at the beach. About 3 days into vacation, I started to develop a bumpy rash on the inside of my thighs. It came in blotches. A day or two later, the rash spread to the back of my legs and my lower back. There are pimple like bumps in some spots and blotchy bumpy rashes in others. I immediately thought of scabies but these are not the usual spots for infection however, the itchiness increases at night. It is now 12 days later and the itch or rash has not subsided. Any idea?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it can be fungal infection. Wash your skin daily and then dry thoroughly by pat drying,not rubbing. The damp skin is an ideal site for fungi to multiply.Also wear cotton underwears and change them twice a day and do not share other people’s towels. Most cases of fungal infections respond to over-the-counter products, which contain any of several basic ingredients: miconazole, tolnaftate, terbinafine,ketaconazole and clotrimazole.You can consult a pharmacist and get any cream or lotion containing these ingredients. Some of them are Lamisil, Monistat derm, Mycelex, and Nizoral.

If still the symptoms do not improve then pls get a clinical examination done by a dermatologist.

I sincerely hope that helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.