Non-Itchy Red Rash on Bum

[splash2000]

During the summer travelling in overwhelming heat and humidity around China I developed a rash on my bum. It wasn't itchy and looks like slightly raised red dots - a bit like a headless pimple. I put the rash down to the extreme heat and all the sweating I was doing climbing mountains and what not. While passing through Shanghai I decided to let my travel insurance pay for a trip to an English-speaking GP who had a look at the rash and prescribed me 24-hr mometasone furoate cream and advised I wore cotton underwear etc. Unfortunately the rash hasn't cleared even after over two months using the strong cream (no need for a prescription in China :-). While at times the rash has faded so it's almost not there with only a few red dots remaining, it always comes back - even when I continue to use the cream. Luckily it's not at all itchy but it's unsightly and the cream only seems to be trying (and failing) to keep the rash at bay.

I'm currently working in a obscure city in China and speak almost no Chinese so a trip to the doctor is out of the question however I can practically buy anything I want from a pharmacy here, no questions asked. Can anyone recommend a new cream to try? Has anyone experienced a similar condition? Please help - sick of feeling like I have a pizza for a bottom.

[splash2000]

Thanks for your help. I agree with you about it probably being sweat dermatitis however since the beginning of September the weather has cooled down dramatically and now that I'm back to work rather than travelling I'm barely ever sweating or feeling overheated. These days I'm freezing to sleep every night waiting for the central heating to be turned on. I'm wondering why my change of lifestyle in the last two months hasn't helped the condition clear up...

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Without examination it is very difficult to confirm a diagnosis,but the symptoms are suggestive of sweat dermatitis or heat rashes.It is a form of atopic dermatitis. Sweat is one of the most aggravating factors in atopic dermatitis.

High humidity causes increased sweating and may result in prickly-heat-type symptoms.This may cause small red rashes and itching.

The main treatment for sweat dermatitis is prevention. The best thing to consider is to prevent that portion of the body from sweating like by wearing light and cotton clothes,taking cool refreshing baths,maintaining the temperature in your homes and cars and avoiding strenuous activities.

If however sweat dermatitis occurs,then pls apply mild corticosteroid creams like dermacort or hydrocortisone or calamine lotion on the rashes. Another treatment option is the use of ultraviolet light or sunlamps under the guidance of a dermatologist.

I hope that helps. Please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries. Kind regards.