underarm rash

[thmsc]

my 18 month old has a rash that starts in her armpit & then lightly spreads out.  her armpit just looks very red & gets moist sometimes.  the rest of the rash is dry.  when it appeared it looked like the redness she had in every crease on her little newborn body.  she was big baby & each crease was a little red.  but then i put a little natural salve or my breastmilk & it went away quickly.  not this though.   the ped subscribed "oxiconazole nitrate cream - 1%, a month ago.  i applied it twice a day & it shows a little improvement but it's not going away.  sometimes it looks like it's getting better & then ...not.  when this started you would never know she had the rash.  but just a few days ago it started to itch her & she wants to scratch.  the ped said if this cream doesn't work they recommend i go to a derm.  hoping u can help first.  thank you in advance.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,

Thanks for your kind words. Best wishes for the quick recovery of the little one. Reagrds.

[thmsc]

Thank you for your input. It turned out to be eczema.  Which she had scratched & it became infected.  All is well now, after some antibiotics.  Now my journey on getting rid of this once and for all has begun!
thanks again. :)

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Two possibilities are there because of the characteristic of rash being itchy and dry. It can be a fungal infection or eczema. It is a form of chronic dermatitis (rash).Allergic reaction is one of the important causes of eczema. Allergic reaction can occur to strong soaps, certain foods, food additives, plants, metals, cosmetics, even urine and faeces of some animals (dust mites).

Wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. You can give some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps. If the symptoms persist then please consult a dermatologist as antifungals or steroids may be needed.

I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing. Warm regards.