itch itch itch

av been itching around my tummy for a year, sometimes it seems like its healing but then it starts again . i itch so bad that some of the skin come off. recently av had an itchy back,chest an the left breast though not that bad. i have tried some anti ith creams but they dont seem to work. what could be the problem?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it can be due to sweat dermatitis, eczema, fungal infection or lichen simplex chronicus. Lichen Simplex Chronicus is seen in people with eczema. It is non contagious. It is treated like chronic eczema by decreasing water and soap contact, and applying emollients.

My sincere advice would be to consult a dermatologist to get the diagnosis confirmed. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.