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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
circular rash
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
circular rash
by sarah, Apr 21, 2001 12:00AM
Hi.
About 31/2 weeks ago, i noticed a few small blistery bumps on my shoulder. They itched a little bit. Then a ring of blisters formed around them, with the center of the circle clear skin. About the size of a nickel. Now the itching was terrible! I used a 1% hydrocortizone cream twice a day. It seemed to be helping, because the rash seemed to be changing...less blisters, then just a red, irritated ring. Then after about a week and a half of this treatment, an outer ring of blisters appeared, with the inner circle seeming healed. Just as I thought my skin was looking better after another week, a third ring of blisters have now developed. Now this is an inch or two in diameter. I spend time with children and animals, though none of them seem to be having a skin problem. Should I try a ring worm anti-fungal cream? And if I do, which one? I need a non-prescription because I do not have a doctor. Do you have any ideas on what this could be? Thank You, Sarah
About 31/2 weeks ago, i noticed a few small blistery bumps on my shoulder. They itched a little bit. Then a ring of blisters formed around them, with the center of the circle clear skin. About the size of a nickel. Now the itching was terrible! I used a 1% hydrocortizone cream twice a day. It seemed to be helping, because the rash seemed to be changing...less blisters, then just a red, irritated ring. Then after about a week and a half of this treatment, an outer ring of blisters appeared, with the inner circle seeming healed. Just as I thought my skin was looking better after another week, a third ring of blisters have now developed. Now this is an inch or two in diameter. I spend time with children and animals, though none of them seem to be having a skin problem. Should I try a ring worm anti-fungal cream? And if I do, which one? I need a non-prescription because I do not have a doctor. Do you have any ideas on what this could be? Thank You, Sarah
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Apr 22, 2001 12:00AM
, Apr 22, 2001 12:00AM
Sarah:
It could indeed be "ringworm" (fungus). Hydrocortisone can make fungus flourish, and develop extra rings like the ones you describe. Try OTC clotrimazole 1% twice a day for a couple of weeks, and of course stop the hydrocortisone. Some fungus, though not all, does come from animals, so another check might be in order.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
It could indeed be "ringworm" (fungus). Hydrocortisone can make fungus flourish, and develop extra rings like the ones you describe. Try OTC clotrimazole 1% twice a day for a couple of weeks, and of course stop the hydrocortisone. Some fungus, though not all, does come from animals, so another check might be in order.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Basil